Verizon takes on iPhone with LG Voyager
updated 08:55 am EDT, Wed October 3, 2007
Verizon LG Voyager
Verizon today launched its most concerted effort yet to respond to the iPhone and to improve its music phone lineup with four new devices. The carrier began with its most ambitious device ever, the LG Voyager. Also known as the VX10000, the handset is one of LG's first touchscreen phones to target the US and includes a more iPhone-like interface based on that of the Prada phone; users can place calls, play AAC/MP3/WMA music, and take 2-megapixel photos almost exclusively from the screen. However, the device is also one of the first LG touch models to offer a keyboard alternative: flipping open the device reveals a lengthwise QWERTY keyboard and a secondary screen for e-mail, text messaging, and games. It also supports V CAST TV for live digital TV viewing and stores as much as 8GB of media on a microSDHC card.
The Voyager will make its Internet connection through Verizon's EV-DO 3G network and will support virtually all of the provider's extra services. Subscribers can buy songs from the V CAST music store or receive assisted GPS routing through VZ Navigator, the company says. Arriving last out of the four new phones, the Voyager is due to arrive last and should launch by the Thanksgiving holiday. Pricing for it and the other phones has not been announced.
A less costly alternative, the Venus, is a blend between touchscreen phones and a traditional slider; a split display on the outer shell includes a touchscreen navigation pad that changes its controls based on the context. For quick dialing and messaging, however, users can also slide out a physical number pad. Although it goes without V CAST TV, it shares the Voyager's 2-megapixel camera, 8GB microSDHC support, and music playback. The Venus will be ready late in the release schedule but should also be ready before Thanksgiving.
Non-LG phones complement the range. Known in other markets as part of Samsung's F200 series, the Juke breaks with convention through a very narrow, swiveling design. It focuses almost exclusively on music and includes a circular control pad as well as 2GB of built-in flash to load up through USB. It comes with a VGA camera and will be available in three primary colors. Verizon is tentatively expected to price the Juke at $100 after signing a two-year contract and will release the phone ahead of the Venus and Voyager.
A second non-LG device, the BlackBerry Pearl 8130, brings RIM's smaller smartphone to Verizon's network for the first time and includes a 2-megapixel camera, a full-size headphone minijack, and GPS mapping. The Pearl will be available roughly at the same time as the Juke but has not received definitive pricing.
LG Voyager
LG Venus
Samsung Juke
BlackBerry Pearl 8130
ITUNES SUPPORT?
10/03, 09:24am reply
Will any of these phones work with iTunes I wonder? Any kind of syncing support? And lastly when will Verizon offer roll-over minutes??? Ever?
mgpalma
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Joined: Sep 2000
Holy carp
10/03, 10:12am reply
Looks like a total rip of the iPhone interface down to theft of the icons.
Too bad it's on the NOTwork.
itguy05
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Verizon Desperation
10/03, 12:47pm reply
Screen is way to small. Great "me too" product Verizon! Reminds me of the old Sony Ericsson Phones P800/P900 series...those were good for their time but can't compare to the iPhone...this is obvious indicator that Verizon is trying to stop the exodus of customers (like myself) from moving to the iPhone and off their S***** network.
Loert
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Joined: Nov 1999
Excellent!!
10/03, 01:05pm reply
The features on this LG iPhone wanna-be should kick the competitive market into gear and make Apple quit playing God with the features they 'choose' to give us now. The third party developers showed how much more the iPhone is capable of and now if other manufacturers & carriers start offering those features ... well, healthy marketplace competition is what makes good companies/products even better.
kevrev
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Joined: Oct 2007
sounds good
10/03, 01:15pm reply
The phone looks nice. I can't wait to give it a try.
pt123
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Joined: Sep 2007
"NOTwork"!
10/03, 01:49pm reply
hahahaha
BelugaShark
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Joined: Aug 2007
Already Bad Design
10/03, 02:01pm reply
Is only Apple smart enough to figure out that having icons of every size, shape and "dimension" and angle is poor design and distracting ... and what's the four dots at the bottom? dialing phone pad? what phone has 4 dots? morse code? If an icon tells you nothing, what's the point of an icon?
jbelkin
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Joined: Sep 2003
Re: itunes support
10/03, 02:04pm reply
Will any of these phones work with iTunes I wonder? Any kind of syncing support? And lastly when will Verizon offer roll-over minutes??? Ever?
With itunes? No. Apple won't let them.
Syncing? Sure, if you pay extra for the ability.
Roll-over minutes? Sure, when enough customers leave them and cite that as a reason.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
what about browser
10/03, 02:07pm reply
The Internet browser icon is a straight copy-cat of Apple Safari. But I'm willing to bet the VZ Browser isn't nearly as good a copy of Safari.
cblackmo
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Joined: Nov 2006
bad design - part 2
10/03, 02:25pm reply
Notice how the phone's interface has to carry the burden of the Verizon and LG logo stamps. As if your eyes didn't have enough to be distracted by - not to mention the videos or photos you might be trying to watch. Talk about rushed, cookie-cut design.
In some ways it's a small touch - but the sort of thing Apple goes out of their way to make sure doesn't uglify their design.
The iPhone - one elegant apple, mirror-polished, on the backside. Frontside, the only thing competing with the screen are two barely noticeable dimples, one with a thin rounded square outline.
cblackmo
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Joined: Nov 2006