Sprint and Motorola have released a new firmware update for the Moto Q 9c smartphone, which upgrades the handset to the latest Windows Mobile 6.1 OS (from the old 6.0 version).

The updated software can be downloaded either via a PC, or directly on your Q9 smartphone, from Motorola's support web page, found at this address. Windows Mobile 6.1 will bring users a new home screen, a new copy / paste feature, improved messaging features, a better Internet Explorer browser and other productivity enhancements.

Released via Sprint at the end of 2007, Motorola Q 9c follows the line of the first Moto Q9 (which, by the way, is still sold by Sprint). The list of specs the Q 9c comes with includes: a full QWERTY keypad for easy and quick text input, a 2.4 inch TFT display with 320 x 240 pixels and 65K colors, GPS, mobile email, Documents To Go, voice dialing, Bluetooth 2.0, Music player, stereo speakers, Sprint TV, a 1.3 Megapixel camera with video recording, Java MIDP 2.0, microUSB, expandable memory (up to 8GB) and a1860 mAh battery capable of providing a talk-time of up to 7.2 hours.

Measuring 4.6 x 2.6 x 0.7 inches (116 x 66 x 17.8 millimeters) and weighing 5.2 ounces (147 grams), the Moto Q9c is a bit big and heavy when compared to other QWERTY mobile devices on the market. Even so, the smartphone is quite popular among users who need a business-featured device.

Motorola Q 9c can currently be bought from Sprint for $149.99, with a contract agreement for two years. While the addition of Windows Mobile 6.1 will surely make the smartphone more attractive to the possible new buyers, the upgrade was mainly released in order to allow the current owners of the Q 9c to enjoy a better mobile experience.