Motorola's Cliq sales fall short of initial goals
updated 08:45 pm EST, Mon November 30, 2009
Battery issues believed to be reducing sales
Sales of Motorola's Android-based Cliq handset have reportedly missed the company's initial goals, according to Oppenheimer analyst Ittai Kidron. Extremely short battery life has been cited as a primary factor contributing to the drop in sales, while the handset's sole carrier, T-Mobile, has allegedly lost interest in the device.
Aside from battery issues, the Cliq's MOTOBLUR interface has also been criticized by some users. Early reports noted difficulty with social networking features, along with a cramped keyboard and a comparatively small screen.
T-Mobile spokesperson Alexandra Trask denied the allegations of lackluster sales numbers and a lack of interest from the carrier. "That couldn't be farther from the truth. This is a device we're really excited about for the holiday season," she told FierceWireless. Users should expect an over-the-air firmware update to address the hardware problems, although Trask claims the batteries have not performed below expectations.
Despite the reports of poor sales with the Cliq, Kidron expects the company to meet its earnings forecast for the quarter. A separate analyst has estimated sales of between 700,000 to 800,000 units for Motorola's other Android smartphone, the Droid.
