We got to spend a little alone time with each of
Verizon's new phones for the holidays, and we found plenty to like. We started out with the Samsung Juke, which is meant as an entry level music device. There's no EV-DO on board, and therefore no V CAST Music Store, but as a "phone that happens to be a low-end 2GB DAP," it should do just nicely, and A2DP is always nice. We could go for a stronger spring action flick motion, and when open the phone seems quite awkwardly long, but it's all solid and usable enough. The Pearl is just a Pearl, so we'll move on. The LG Venus has quite an interesting interface, that we suppose will be a love it or hate it affair. There's adjustable vibration feedback to your finger presses on the bottom touchscreen, but unfortunately you can't adjust screen sensitivity, and we had sometimes had trouble with getting the beta hardware Verizon was showing us to register our finger presses. Otherwise the phone is a thing of beauty, and has one of the best looking UIs we've seen from the likes of Verizon and LG. The camera interface is particularly polished, with options galore and some interesting usage of the touch screen for cropping and sending pics. Finally we have the LG Voyager. In most objective senses, the phone is pretty dang large, but somehow it's easier to overlook that fact when you're staring at dual screens and an immense QWERTY keyboard. The screen was quite responsive to our button presses, and there was no lag between using an app in touchscreen mode and opening up the phone for a QWERTY session. The HTML browser leaves a little to be desired -- after taking ages to load a fractured form of Engadget, we couldn't hardly scroll down it to save our life -- and it's pretty clear that the Voyager is less a smartphone out of the box than the iPhone is, despite its marvelous keyboard, but there's certainly a lot of potential.
posted Oct 3rd 2007 3:02AM
Thanks guys.
You just made that decsion easier for me.
what color was the keypad back lighting on the pearl? blue like the 8830? (hopefully not)
thank you verizon for no more crappy software
too bad it still has those cheap looking bars at the top displaying your battery and service.
it would be nice to see them hire someone with some design sense to make whatever proprietary shit VZ is going to put on these phones.
..and thanks Verizon for locking up every feature of the Pearl (at an additional cost to unlock..say GPS...)
Hey, how much will it going to be fetch in retail (US/AUS)?
sweetness
Verizon needs to burn in hell. They have sat on two Windows Mobile phones [XV6800 and i760] for at least six months and continue to delay their releases. The lastest reason is so that they could release the substandard Moto Q9M. Now Verizon releases a crippled Pearl and three other 'poser' phones to try and challenge the iPhone. Good luck with your hubris Verizon, I hope you lose more customers to AT&T for the iPhone. Your company is mismanaged by a bunch of correspondence school MBA grads.
unreal...if they're not going to support the pda smartphone market then just say so and we'll move on...waiting on the i760 for eons now...
here's a sobering thought...at this pace, once the i760, xv6800, & 5800 are finally released, it'll be almost 2011 before we another WinMo phone form VZW....my disdain for them is growing steadily...
I would have to say that its a very real possibility that by the time they release these phones, they will be outdated. It boggles my mind that Verizon continually delays phones releases. I can only imagine how many people have defected simply due to lack of new (decent) hardware.
It seems they put a great deal of trust that the chocolate will dominate the phone market for the next 2 or 3 years.
These other PDAs that you mentioned are still scheduled for release. These 4 particular phones are just being billed as the "Flagship" phones.
They're delayed because they're busy crippling features and installing their UI.
(i'm sorry VZW fans! i just had to!)
I would like to just point out that AT&T has yet to release a Windows Mobile 6 device. Check the other carriers, everyone is having troubles getting these devices out. AT&T went ahead and released the 8525 with windows mobile 5.0 on it so that they could get it released. It has a promise to be windows mobile 6.0 upgradeable, WinMo 6.0 is out, where is the upgrade?
But at least AT&T has their device out I guess. The choice is to release something that is going to need a software flash that has a chance of bricking the phone, or to wait months and not release them till they are ready. I guess at this point the choice of releasing them with windows mobile 5.0 isn't viable anymore, I guess they all ready committed to releasing it with WinMo 6.
The biggest loser in all of this is Palm. They had a chance at the beginning of the year to take advantage of Microsoft's delays and release something new and revolutionary. The Palm OS is dead, they even started selling windows mobile devices. The 750, 755 etc are the same phones as the 700 with a slightly different container.
Tmobile 2 WinMo6 phones - (the dash has a winmo6 upgrade available)
AT&T 0 WinMo6 phone
Sprint 1 WinMo6 phone
Verizon Wireless 1 Winmo6 phone
The only people to really blame here are blogs like this that keep speculating on release dates building up people's expectations. If you know anything about tech, whether it be hardware or software, delays go with the industry, and when you are dealing with a new Microsoft OS, you are all but guaranteed delays.
I guess you never heard of the AT&T Tilt that launches tomorrow with Unlocked GPS, WiFi (b/g), 3.5G(HSDPA/HSUPA) and yes, Windows Mobile 6 Professional
Yes I have heard of it, and that makes no difference because as of the time of my post it had not been released yet, and therefore AT&T had 0 WinMo6 units. Still when it is released they will be the last carrier to get a WinMo6 phone available for sale. They are so slow with the release of their phones they are a month behind Verizon Wireless in releasing a WinMo 6 device, and that sir is fact.
I would be very interested in the handset if LG made a GSM version, preferably with 3g radio as well.
Voyager = Improved version of LG Prada
What does this mean for the Palm 755p, the xv5800 (HTC Libra), and the xv6800 (HTC Mogul)?
The only thing I can see that is crippled on the pearl is the GPS - GET OVER IT ! Really Who F**king cares if the GPS is crippled. Are you lost that often that you HAVE to have GPS all the time ! Give me a break and learn a sence of direction or look at a map or even buy a TOM TOM if GPS is so important to you! Everyone needs to stop crying over GPS. WHO CARES ! Were lucky we even got the Pearl on Verizon(over a year late) So I'll take what I can get.
It's the same hardware on many other phones. You're paying for it when you buy the phone. They restrict it so they can nickel and dime you. It's like charging per minute for use of the headphone jack. It's built in, it should cost extra. If you didn't know, GPS does have reoccuring costs. It receives signals from satellites that broadcast it for free. Verizon charges you for the cost of the program and then won't let you use an alternative. You're a not a heavy GPS users, but say Verizon made you use their own MP3 playing software on it, and it would cost you $10 a month extra to listen to music on the phone. Any other 3rd party program you install won't output audio. Wouldn't you be pissed?
*It's built in, it should not cost extra. If you didn't know, GPS does have not reoccuring costs.*
*You're not a heavy GPS user*
sorry for typos
Does the voyager have haptic feedback also?
yes.
So many touchscreen phones, no Windows OS on any. Seems like wasted potential. The Voyager looks intriguing but zero 3rd party applications support and the added keyboard increases thickness. I thought the t9 input was perfect (since LG released the LG Prada with this). It'll win over a few for design but not many hardcore cell phone users. But that "Full HTML browser" they were promoting is a joke when compared to Opera Mini or the iPhone's Safari. It's no iPhone killer, that's for sure, but it's obvious it's meant to be its direct competitor.
Shut the hell up. Windows sucks anyway. (for the record, I'm using a GNU distro...)
And why the hell do you need every goddamn feature on these phones? Seriously, do you need GPS? Do you need a low-storage mp3 player that requires specialized headphones to work to listen at a decent quality? Do you need to use bluetooth earpieces that make you look like you're talking to yourself? Do you need video streaming, especially when it's NOT free on any service? Do you need games? I think the only feature that's important on a phone is the ability to talk on it. And maybe texts. The rest are just gimmicks.
I have a linux phone too and I would love to be able to actually edit word and excel documents. And if you're not interested in high-tech cellphones that break bounds and showcase exciting features, WHY THE F*** ARE YOU COMMENTING ON ENGADGETMOBILE!?
If you're going to preach to people and tell them all to carry a seperate MP3 player, install a separate GPS navigation system in your car, pull over everytime you need to make a phone call while driving, carry your DS/PSP with you at all times, and carrying your WiFi enabled PDA for work while always looking for a WiFi Hotspot...then you're really in the wrong place
People are morons, if they say the voyager is meant to compete with the iphone. It's not a smartphone, and verizon didn't meant for it to be a smartphone. It's a evolution of the envy, which has sold quite well for vzw. Just b/c you put a touchpad on something, doesn't make it a competitor for the iphone.
@dvschnk:
People at LG and VZW both say that the Voyager is competing with the iPhone. They didn't hint at it, they said it straight out. How's that for you? Also, despite Stevie-boy's hinting and teasing to the contrary, the iPhone is no more a smartphone than a Voyager will be. LOCK DOWN does not a smartphone make.
@!!!:
Welcome to the future, guy. It might still be the early 1900's in your head, but for the rest of us, some of those features you mention actually do add significant value.
Why does everyone think that everything need to be compared to the iPhone? Do you really think that LG gives a crap about the iPhone? Who cares if they sold over a million units??? What LG wants is marketshare! Apple is no threat to them right now! Who they need to focus on is Samsung, Motorola, and Nokia! Those guys sell more handsets than Apple can even begin to think about!!! Sure the iPhone is cool, I really think it's an amazing device, but when it comes down to it what matters to these companies is how many TOTAL units they can move. If they can put out 3 devices to beat out one device then you've got an iPhone killer, at least in their mind. I know I would rather have 4 phones that sell over 2 million units rather than one phone selling 1 million units. Oh, and give LG credit for at least being innovative enough to step in and give a solution for the people who rely on Verizons service where it may be better than AT&T, and I know it's different depending on where you are. And it also gives the people an option for better messaging capabilities. Apple received its praise for its innovative OS. I personally think if these 2 companies got together they would have an awesome phone having some of the best designs and software.
I can only hope that was poorly implemented sarcasm.
"Do you really think that LG gives a crap about the iPhone?"
Umm, duh. Yes, its LG Prada was released first, but the iPhone totally stole its I'm-the-phone-with-the-touch-screen-OS-and-all-that-sexiness glory. Hell, it even out did it on price! The fact of the matter is yes, LG does give a crap about the iPhone, in fact, almost (and I'm only using 'almost' as a qualifier because I am near certain it's all) every major manufacturer is working on or has worked on a device to compete with the iPhone. Yes, it's been correctly said that practically all phones with a huge touchscreen will look alike. However, how often did manufacturer even aim to make an all touchscreen phone BEFORE the iPhone's announcement? Let's face it, the iPhone is the new RAZR. As the RAZR caused all manufacturers to trend toward ultra-thin phones, the iPhone is making all major manufacturer trend toward (ultra-thin [btw, the Voyager isn't cuttin' it in that department]) touchscreen OS phones.
"Apple is no threat to them right now!"
Moving 1,000,000+ units of any phone in a year is amazing. Moving 1,000,000+ units of any phone in less than 80 days is incredible. Moving 1,000,000+ units of a phone with a MINIMUM cost of $400 (although MOST were the original 8GB version that cost $600) AND that is locked to one company is outstanding, especially given all its faults (the whole no 3G thing, no GPS, no removable battery, etc...).
Hell, Apple is threatening to me and I don't even sell phones. (I just think Steve Jobs is kind fear-worthy, but, then again, he IS God, so it does make sense.)
"Oh, and give LG credit for at least being innovative enough to step in and give a solution for the people who rely on Verizons service where it may be better than AT&T, and I know it's different depending on where you are."
Dude, you're acting like that made these phones out of the kindness of their hearts: THEY DID THIS TO MAKE MOOLAH!
But, I MUST commend you for not being ignorant and saying that anyone's network is better than someone else's: you're right, network coverage varies from area to area.
"...[I]t also gives the people an option for better messaging capabilities."
What can I say, when you're right, you're right.
Like I said, PLEASE LET THIS BE POORLY IMPLEMENTED SARCASM.
i'm pretty sure they care about the iphone. however, the chocolate sells huge volumes (somehow) and it's been out a while. lg is probably making more money per phone than apple is on the iphone, so i dont think they'd feel specifically threatened by the iphone.
Im with this guy. Apple will never sell as many phones as LG. the chocolate sold 10 million phones world wide. So if you dont like this phone dont buy. But they will sell alot og them.
release dates: http://www.phonearena.com/htmls/Juke-Venus-Pearl-and-Voyager-available-in-less-than-month-and-a-half-article-image-a_2082-p_1-i_13674.html
just a quick comment on apple and verizon combining....that will not happen...honestly verizon was apples first choice for the Iphone. Verzion turned apple down for 3 simple reasons...apple wanted a share of the monthly charge of the Iphone customers....they also wanted it to only be availble for specific plans..and lastly they wanted any issues to have to go through apple not the verizon stores...there for inconviencing the customers...the voyager is going to be a great phone with vznavigator service and more importantly Broadband speeds not the slower service provided on the Iphone..
They should have just gone with the Nintendo DS Lite approach with the Voyager. Dual screens on the inside one side touch QWERTY and the other a huge high-quality viewing screen.
Not sure why you GSM users stick to your guns so terribly much...is it rollover? cuz it sure isnt the goofy 3G network that AT&T is trying to roll out. SEPERATE DATA NETWORKS geniuses...evdo is too snappy for you antiquated bums in the GSM world
That Venus and Voyager are both so sweet, but the problem is they're not in the same device. My dream is that one day LG will deliver on a dual-slider (think ocean...but less bulky) that's sort of a chocolate/enV hybrid (or updated Venus/Voyager) that has the wonderful slider-ness that I'm a total whore about, but alse have QWERTY. I love my current chocolate dearly but I text so freakin much....
I love the iPhone in hand in the voyager pics, I want phones to be compared to the iPhone, because I have one, and want to know what it does better, smaller, sexier before I early adopt again. BTW would have love to seen a side profile shot of the voyager next to...... wait for it...... the iPhone!!!
Wow. What a wasted opportunity. The writer had the 8130 in his hands and didn't bother to show us the updated UI, new browser, Navigator or anything of substance. Instead we're treated to a view of his bookshelf.
Way to go, champ.
Verizon didn't have the new interface or Navigator or anything on the Pearl they were showing. Sorry about that.
Sadly I'm not as excited for this as I thought I would be, same env with just a larger touchscreen on the front, it also looks far too large, oh well I'll just play with it once it comes out, sense half my call center seems to buy env's I'm sure they'll get these.
I am so sick of everyone bashing something that is not the I-Phone. There are millions and millions of people that just have a clamshell phone that are happy to get something new. There are some (meaning most) folks in this world that just use a phone as a phone. It's nice to get something that can start to bridge the gap for consumers between handsets and PDA's. I am sure the losers that bash these new phone and all new middle of the road phones in fact have a middle of the road handset. Idiots.
Preorder campaign:
Phone
Pre-Order
Available Online
Samsung Juke
10/9
10/19
LG Venus
10/19
11/4
Blackberry Pearl
10/26
11/8
LG Voyager
11/8
11/18
Ok, I'm not one to rant but WHAT THE F@CK!!!!
Here is a quick down of features in the end both phones have very similar features so to say the iphone is better even before the new LG is out give me a break. This whole Verizon UI BS is getting old its totally redesigned for this and the other handset so we all may want to hold of on the judgments before we play with the phones. The whole issue with OBX is just getting silly now because you can transfer a lot of the files from the phone to a computer if you computer has bluetooth an I know my home PC doesn't have that nor my laptop so that just pointless for me. I have never had anyone ask me to send them the song I was listening to via bluetooth. Since AT&T and Verizon Wireless both have unlimited PIX / TEXT messaging sending a pictures to my home email cost me nothing. I can make my own Ringtones using Bitpim so that fixes that other issues of personalize Ringtons. So my point is that verizon is making a lot of concessions with its new phones to make people happy. Will it ever be 100% of what everyone wants Nope but you cant make everyone happy so just suck it up and move on...
iPhone
GSM (International Roaming)
4GB / 8GB internal storage (Non-expandable)
MAC OS
Large 3.5 display (Touch Friendly)
iTunes ( includes TV / MUSIC)
HTML Browser (NO Flash Support)
NO 3G
NO Keypad
NO Camera
Bluetooth (Dont know off hand what profile handset supports)
Lock to AT&T SIMS
(Ya you can get the unlock software but then the next update comes out and knocks it out again)
Wi-Fi
Voyager
CDMA ( No International Roaming)
NO Internal memory (Expandable to 8GB or more via Micro SD)
2.5 External display (Touch Friendly)
2.5 Internal display
Whole new Flash OS
VCast Music / Live TV / Video Clips
HTML Browser (NO Flash Support)
EVDO (Rev O)
Flip open full Keypad
2MP Camera
Bluetooth (Unknown what profiles final handset will support)
NO Wi-Fi
GPS directions
4 Major issues with iPhone:
no removable battery
no expandable memory
no keyboard
not 3
Voyager - has all 4 plus mobile TV which is growing fast!
it appears as though lg still thinks the best way to play songs is in alphabetical order rather than album order. i hope i'm wrong and they fixed this. sigh...
is the pearl using VZW UI or the same as t mobile/att?
Does this mean I should forget about the Treo 755 and get the Pearl?
Verizon has a webpage dedicated to these new phones. When you visit vzw.com you can see the link for about 3 seconds and then it disappears and doesn't come back. It's www.verizonwireless.com/next No info on release dates but you can have an SMS alert sent to your phone once their available.
Just an fyi to all the people waiting for the I760, available online OCT 18th and in all stores nov 2nd at a price of: 399.99 2 year, 499.99 1 year and 519.99 out of contract.