LG VX8550 Chocolate Black Phone (Verizon Wireless)
List Price:$499.99 Our Price:$0.01 Your Save: $ 499.98 ( 100% ) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Manufacturer:Verizon Wireless
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Battery Type: Lithium Ion Binding: Wireless Phone Brand: LG Color: Black Display Size: 3 Feature: Lightweight multimedia powerhouse in black with new Trace Motion Light navigation wheel Label: Verizon Wireless Manufacturer: Verizon Wireless Model: SCHU740ZAV Publisher: Verizon Wireless Release Date: 2007-07-12 Studio: Verizon Wireless Variation Description: Black
Features
Lightweight multimedia powerhouse in black with new Trace Motion Light navigation wheel Supports both WMA and MP3 music formats for more versitility in music listening; Bluetooth stereo headset support Expandable memory slot compatible with optional 4 GB microSD memory card for storage of up to 2000 songs 1.3 megapixel camera with digital zoom; video capture up to 1 hour Up to 250 minutes of talk time, up to 350 hours of standby time
Slimmer, lighter and sweeter than ever, LG updates its Chocolate slider phone to the VX8550 with improvements including a new metal navigation wheel (which traces your finger's movement with a small light), vibrating touch keypad, and the ability to run the music player in the background while using the other features of the phone. But many of the much vaunted features of the original Chocolate remain: silky-smooth slider design support for V Cast Music, an integrated music/video player, a 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder, stereo Bluetooth capabilities, and a microSD memory slot for up to 4 GB of storage. In addition to Verizon's V Cast Music feature, this phone is also enabled with the Get It Now service, which allows you to easily download ringtones, games, and applications. It runs on Verizon's CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies and EV-DO high-speed data network. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
Imaging and Entertainment
The LG VX8550 Chocolate comes in three delicious colors and features advanced music playback features--including the ability to play in the background while accessing other phone features.
The Chocolate's is a 1.3-megapixel digital camera features a flash, as well as 2x digital zoom, self-timer, night-mode functions, and brightness and white balance controls. Other features include an in-phone image editor (zoom, rotate, crop) and a mirror for self-portrait capability. The camera can also capture video clips--30 seconds for sending and up to 1 hour for saving to memory card--at a 176 x 144-pixel resolution. It's compatible with playing MP3, 3GP, and 3G2 video formats, and you can set a video as your screen's wallpaper (as long as it's under 5 MB in size).
A built-in music player with a dedicated music key for easy access, stereo speakers and an equalizer, MP3 and WMA playback, and the ability to hide the music player while still allowing the music to play on in the background. You can create and manage playlists right on the phone, as well as synchronize music between the Chocolate and your PC (using an optional USB cable and connecting with Windows Media Player 10 or higher). You can also take advantage of the Chocolate's Bluetooth wireless headset capability, allowing you to hook up a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones.
Design The phone features a seriously attractive open-faced design with an internal antenna and a vibrant 240 x 320 pixel, 262,000-color TFT/TFD display. A touch sensor click wheel, similar to iPod, and sliding design set the phone apart stylistically. Opening the slider reveals a numeric keypad, as well as the 1.3-megapixel camera and LED flash, which are housed on the rear of the phone. The new navigation wheel with Trace Motion Light allows for easy navigation through phone functions, as well as quick and simple functionality while browsing music and videos. The touch keypad provides an improved feel for quicker input.
Calling Features The Chocolate boasts powerful calling functions, such as speaker independent voice dialing, which makes it easy to call contacts by simply saying their names. No prior voice training is required and you can even speak individual digits to the phone for quick dialing of numbers you know by heart. And because the Chocolate is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation. You can save up to 20 Bluetooth pairings, and it supports the following Bluetooth profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, advanced audio distribution, phone book access, basic printing, object push for vCard and vCalendar (accessories sold separately), file transfer, and basic imaging.
The Chocolate's internal memory can hold up to 1000 contacts for quick access to email addresses and phone numbers. Each contact can store up to five numbers and two email addresses. The phone lets you easily assign pictures as well as ringtones to your most common callers. In addition to vibrating alerts, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones, and a number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from Verizon's Get It Now service. Lastly, the Chocolate's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools
With Verizon's Mobile Email option, the LG Chocolate allows you to send and receive emails from MSN, Hotmail, and America Online, as well as access your address book and be alerted to new email.
The phone's support for multimedia messaging means that text, photos, video and audio can be sent with ease (Verizon messaging charges apply). When used in combination with the Chocolate's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. There's also a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing. Verizon's optional Mobile Web 2.0 package allows you to read and send emails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your email, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, the Chocolate is fully compatible with Verizon's V Cast service. With V Cast music, your phone is a music player, letting you jam out wherever you are. It's also a music store, and you can download songs instantly to your phone. Save your songs to a memory card with a capacity that's right for you. You can even pause to take a call without missing a beat. You can also download and stream high-quality video--get the latest Accuweather forecast delivered right to your handset, or stream CNN news headlines. ESPN sports updates, entertainment news from E!, and even Sesame Street content for the kids. V Cast also serves as a portal for enhanced 3D games, making it possible to have more fun with a new breed of realistic games.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the Chocolate including a voice memo recorder that can record calls, a calculator, a calendar, and an alarm clock. You can even set the alarm to wake you to your favorite music. Also included with the Chocolate is Verizon's VG Navigator software, which allows you to get real-time, turn-by-turn audible directions as you're driving.
Vital Statistics The LG VX8550 Chocolate weighs 3.24 ounces and measures 3.85 x 1.87 x .67 inches. Its l800 mAh ithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.17 hours (250 minutes) of digital talk time, and up to 350 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 850/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Not an iPhone or iPod replacement for Mac users, but a good phone Comment: After 3-1/2 months, I'm still a fan of this phone, but it's not the iPod-phone I was hoping for.
As others have complained, the button layout and menus are initially quite annoying, but they have become much easier with use (rotate the scroll wheel with your thumb on the center button to avoid pressing the overly sensitive touch buttons; make use of the keypad to navigate menus quickly).
Aside from Verizon's reliable network, I like the one-touch voice calling, VZ Navigator and basic Web features. During my 30-day trial, I bought an iPhone but returned it that same day; I found the Chocolate safer to use while driving (the voice-call button is easy to locate without looking, and the voice prompts work well), with better GPS functions (it rivals the Garmin GPS device with talking directions) and longer battery life.
I do not need to do lots of texting or Web surfing, but those functions are adequate (I use it to check the next bus arrival time each day--using shortcuts, that takes 15-20 seconds from opening the phone to reading the results).
It was free through Verizon, and then I purchased the following from Amazon:
-2.5mm To 3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack Adapter (3 rings)
-Sandisk 4GB MicroSDHC Memory Card with SD Adapter
-CTCstore 6-in-1 USB 2.0 High Speed Memory Card Reader Writer
-Premium Scratch Resistant Screen Protector/ Guard for LG Chocolate VX8500,
-LG Chocolate 2 VX-8550 VX8550 Black Rubberize Texture Snap-On Crystal Case
All have worked well, but it's better to just get a 2.5mm earphone/mic instead of fussing with the adapter.
There are two big drawbacks for Mac & iPod users: First, the address book and calendar functions can be synched via blue-tooth with an open source download called BitPim, but I found that inconsistent and difficult. So far, I haven't found an online calendar that synchronizes to this phone (GooSync doesn't), but Verizon does offer a free daily wireless phonebook backup that works well.
Second, while the music player works quite well for songs, it poses some difficulties for podcast listeners--enough that I hardly make use of the player. It will not keep your place in a podcast if you stop listening--you'll have to start from the beginning and use the terribly slow fast-forward feature.
I use the MicroSD card and adapter to move podcasts from my Mac to the card (not through iTunes, but by moving files from an iTunes podcast folder to the SD card). And since the SD card is formatted for Windows files (you need to insert the new card into the phone to format it before putting it into the SD card reader), the Mac adds small oddly-named files onto the card with each mp3 file you transfer. Those can be easily removed with an inexpensive download called Blue Harvest (search for it online)--but the lack of bookmarking and the transfer process is cumbersome enough that I just use my old iPod for podcast and music instead.
So, all told, I really like the phone as a phone and travel tool, not as an iPod. Until Apple comes out with an iPhone nano with Verizon service, this seems a pretty good substitute. Customer Rating: Summary: the lg chocolate is a very fun phone but it could do much more. Comment: I, got my LG Chocolate 8550 about a few weeks ago and i have to say it is alot of fun.If your looking for a phone just to make calls on or something for business then you should get a smartphone.But if you want an ipod like cell phone that has a pretty killer music player and a sleek design as well as takes superb pictures this is the phone for you.The only thing diffent from this and the chocolate 3 is the Chocolate 3 is a filp phone with a gig of internal memory while the chocolate 8550 has a paltry 65.8 mb.Here we go with the pros and cons.
PROS:Is compatable with V Cast from Rhapsody even if it dosnt say it is take it to a verizon store and they will upgrade it for free.Great music player can pretty much do what a ipod nano can do with its music player and has an equilizer wich is awsome.Takes beautiful pics in fact this is a phone when you see the example pic on the box that is how good the pics look when taken.Fast charger time about 30 to 40 minutes for a charge i would advise that you charge it to full if you listen to alot of music.Good speaker sound and phone sound people can hear my voice clearly and the range is good.
Cons:Extermely sensitive touch pad even if you lower the setting you will still have problems with it and is very frusterating when texting someone.Poor video while the picture is wonderful for this phone the video is very fuzzy at times.crippled browser from verizon , verizon is legendary for crippeling there browser so only there applications and games and ringtones work, with myxer you can solve the wallpapers and ringtones by sending them to your phone but if you want any java apps look elsewear right now, small keypad very tight to try and text because the keys are so close together.
All in all this is a very nice phone very sturdy and feel tough very sleek and stylish on the other hand because verizon cripples this browser it could do so much more if this wasnt the case of course verizon cripples most of its phones unless you get a smartphone.Other then that being the biggest flaw this phone is pretty fun it will have you jamming on your way out the door when loaded with music and youll be able to keep in touch with your friends all at the same time. Customer Rating: Summary: Lemon chocolate--yuck Comment: I have been tempted so many times to throw this phone across the room. The touch controls are so sensitive that you cannot even pick up the phone without inadvertently triggering a menu choice. The worst is when you are prompted to respond to menu choices (by the party you have reached) by pressing 3 or whatever, and the phone thinks you are trying to speed dial someone else. For months before I had thru trial and error found the optimal answer/hangup setting, the phone would hang up on my caller instead of answering when I used the slide up feature. I bought the phone for the music player feature. But it does not work well with Mac, and that was not revealed either. This is the only LG product I have absolutely hated. Customer Rating: Summary: Don't waste your money! Comment: I received this phone as a free replacement upgrade from Verizon to try and I have now sent it back. It's the most frustrating phone I've ever tried! The screen is so sensitive it's very easy to get off in some other menu until you're completely confused. This phone might be "IN" but it is worthless to me. It also has terrible ringtones! With no cover to protect the screen, it looks like it will scratch easily and look old in no time. LG really screwed up with this one! I reactivated my LGVX8300 and now I'm back to reality. Don't waste your money! Customer Rating: Summary: Multifunctional phone. Very good but room for improvement Comment: The Good:
-- Very multifunctional phone. Serves as my phone, camera, and MP3 player.
-- The MP3 player software will convert .mp3, .wav, and iTunes music and podcast for use on the phone. Very nice.
-- The controls are not for the novice but after a couple of days they are easy to master.
-- Speaker phone and voice commands work well.
-- Sleek and doesn't waste battery life when not in use. I actually read some reviews complaining that the phone goes dark when not in use. That's exactly what I want to conserve batteries. Touch any button and the phone lights up.
Where to Improve:
-- Use with most earbuds work fine for the user but not so fine for the person you are calling.
-- Needs to accept the 8GB micro chip (only accepts 4GB)..
-- Works fine in most settings but I note that in buildings, others can get a tower when I cannot. Improve the internal antenna.
