• November 13, 2006

Cell phone maker Motorola may boost the prospects for its new Q device by buying BlackBerry rival Good Technology Inc., as consumer demand for email phones explodes.

Hoping to come up with another Razr-like blockbuster in the fast-growing smartphone category, Motorola introduced a QWERTY handheld device, called the Q, earlier this year to vie with the BlackBerry and Treo, which also runs on Good Technology's mobile software.

"The Q has been somewhat disappointing and they're looking for ways to reinvigorate that product line," said Albert Lin, an analyst for American Technology Research. The deal was announced on Friday. Terms were not disclosed.