Jewish World Review Feb. 17, 2005 / 8 Adar I 5765
Verizon phone plays video
By Mark Kellner
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com |
What do you expect to see on the screen display of your mobile phone? How
about Lester Holt of NBC or perhaps Brenda Bernard, a CNN anchor, either one
giving you a news story or a miniature newscast?
That's one of the promises of the LG VX8000 mobile phone, as introduced by
Verizon Wireless along with a service called "VCAST." Buy the phone (list
price reportedly $270) and for $15.00 monthly access in addition to a
Verizon calling plan, VCAST customers get what the firm calls "unlimited
access to a wide array of more than 300 daily updated videos from leading
content providers."
While you might wonder who is so far removed from a television that they
need to see a newscast on a mobile device, there appears to be a market for
this sort of thing. Of course, the emphasis may be on entertainment as much
(or more) than news. In announcing the service, Verizon noted deals that
would bring content from Viacom's "MTV Networks' VH1 and Comedy Central
brands," as well as "24: Conspiracy," "Sunset Hotel" and "Love & Hate,"
programs from 20th Century Fox, which the firm says are "specifically
designed for mobile phones."
This is a CDMA phone, of the "3G" variety the so-called third generation
of the oldest cell phone technology. That means the phone works well in the
United States, and with this new revision seems quite powerful. I was very
pleased with the coverage and quality of signal, even indoors. The down side
is that CDMA doesn't play well overseas; that's the hallmark of GSM service.
If you travel globally, that's a big consideration.
Big as other reviewers have noted is also a plus in looking at the
VX8000 phone. It has two big screens: front and back displays that are clear
and crisp. I could, for example, view the video clips in either portrait or
landscape mode, and the images were very clear, albeit small. The sound
isn't as big as it could be, I guess, but it certainly was good. The phone
is also solid in its feel and on your hip: the included holster is very
sturdy.
Another "big" is the built-in still and video camera. The video part
captures a few seconds of sound and motion; the still pictures are 1.3
megapixels, enough for a fairly decent picture. These are nice touches; I'm
coming to believe that no cell phone should be without a camera since it is
such a handy feature.
The phone also has some Web and e-mail capabilities. These are less
spectacular: I found typing Web addresses nearly impossible and e-mail very
trying. There is still a need for phone makers to come up with a better way
of handling these tasks, perhaps short of the small keyboard found on some
models. Without an easy way to enter these, it's frustrating when it
shouldn't be.
There are two other deficiencies I've found in this phone, a phone that I
really want to like overall. One is that its 3G data capabilities cannot be
used with a portable computer: Verizon sells a separate card and service for
that. This is enforced by the lack of Bluetooth wireless communication in
the phone, which, Verizon says, would add substantially to the phone's cost.
That may be the case, but it may be something that Verizon and phone maker
LG Electronics will want to rethink. With a few better features, especially
a Bluetooth link, this could be a device that truly soars into the
stratosphere of cell phones.
Instead, while I can recommend the VX8000 for the area's news junkies, I'd
have a difficult time suggesting it to many others.
Find this column useful? Why not sign-up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Mark Kellner has reported on technology for industry newspapers and magazines since 1983, and has been the computer columnist for The Washington Times since 1991.Comment by clicking here.
MAC'S mini Marvel... Free software worth something
Year of the Accessory?
End of line for Microsoft?
New Year's resolutions, belated
Sidekick II a star, other items for new year
Virtual service calls available
Small biz gets tech hookup to fed deals
Jingle Bells, or ring tones, etc.
Smithsonian's Hand-Held Tour Guide an iPAQ
iMAC G5, Emachines is runner-up
Three 'cult' items: two good, one bad
Charity finds a United 'E-Way'
NetObjects Fusion A Useful Web Site Builder
eMachines Model Offers Performance
Second thoughts
Adobe updates its easy photo fix
Recording radio
Myths die hard, even for insiders
A TV Board For Your PC
Raising the 'dead' and the dusty
Promise of VoIP not yet total
When ideas and policy collide at work
Why not take the easy way out?
One to buy, one to skip
In Israel, high tech goes on the road
Right out of the box, little Sony camera impresses
Useful little things
Epson printer does far more than just print
Does Gmail hit the spot?
Independence Day Thoughts on computing
Still more about online e-mail
Your vacation e-mail options
Mr. Reagan's Computing Legacy
Following your heart
Power Mac G5: A powerful tool
Opera: This browser sings
Motion's new tablet a step up
Fuji's S20PRO is for you maybe
Last week's small revolution
More small wonders bring delight, challenge
Livin' large, livin' cordless
Small wonders: Gadgets good and bad
The right tool for the right job
Office 2004 for Mac is coming
Good Computer Info? It's In Print
'Office' suite good for price
The Delightful Deja Vu of the iPod Mini
Another check creation option
Blocking pop-up ads
Apple's super-cool iBOOK G4
MSN, the AOL alternative?
It's Konfabu-lous (and other Mac joys)
The world on my wrist, courtesy MSN
Treo 600 is great business tool
How to make good computer choices this year
The year behind, the one ahead
Last minute gifts, and other thoughts
Something special in the air, again
Veterans Admin plans computer revolution
More holiday gifts
Holiday Shopping Ideas (One of a Series)
Now, Mr. Gates Joins War on Spam
Stopping "Phishers" From Scamming You
Staying safe online
Franklin Covey Brings Order to Outlook
Upgrades: Should you do it?
Time to dump Ma Bell?
Palm T3 widens users' options
Electronic reading
Lessons from a hurricane
Can the PC and phone really merge?
The case of the curious keyboard
The season ahead
New keyboard adds flair to motion tablet
Upgrade path smoothes a bit
Dreamweaver, make me a web
Experiments in upgrading
A tale of two headsets
A declaration of Mac-dependence
Fuji's Fine FinePix S602Zoom
In search of good Mac apps
Little gadgets make computing easier
Adobe Acrobat 6.0 scores
Toshiba's Twisting Tablet PC
HP printer a steady worker
iTunes store, Mailblocks are cool online services
Palm's objects of D-Zire
Gateway's Tablet a winner
Outlook 2003 beta: A promising program
Tungsten's handy "Dubya"
Lexmark's winning all-in-one
Wireless ways
Long distance tech support does trick
Tablet Planner software a hit
Up and down the road with Joyride
Clarion's "AutoPC" is no "Joyride"
Apple's Keynote is PowerPoint for less
Moving adventures
Traveling companions
HP's Compaq Tablet PC a winner
The war on spam continues
Browser for Mac users has good start
New Adobe software organizes photos
Techno-war
The year the PC grew up
PC meets philately: one hit, one miss
Digital Nikon camera a winner, at a price
Honey, they shrunk the COMDEX
Last-minute ideas
Microsoft's Tablet PC has promise, problems
Upgrade with a plan
Palm's New Tungsten PDA Shows Its Mettle
Nobody asked me, but ...
Love, in Quicktime
T-Mobile's sidekick a good partner
Put on a (happy, unwrinkled, tanned, whatever) face
Apple software upgrade very useful
I came, I saw, iPod
How's that? A tech critic reflects, briefly
Satellite radio gets favorable reception
HP's desktop printing marve
Mac satisfaction --- and some really good software
Off to college ... with eMachines
Have PC, must travel
After Shot manages your digital camera images
X200: Mobile worker's fantasy
Beware: Consumers face a fee for printing own checks