The Voyager touch phone by LG, exclusive to Verizon Wireless, was recently introduced as Verizon’s response to the Apple iPhone. The phone is built around the Verizon V Cast software, which, similar to the software used by the iPhone, lacks the power to support a business setting, but offers lots of time-killing fun features, and several casually practical ones. For Verizon customers who feel enslaved to their 2-year agreements, the Voyager is a slick new remedy.
The phone has two screens, the outer one is 2.81” and is surprisingly responsive to touch—dialing phone numbers, navigating web pages, and clicking links is simple and intuitive, and lacks the bull-in-a-china-shop feeling of dabbing a stylus around a Blackberry screen. The phone uses VibeTouch technology; the phone emits a small vibration each time you press the touch screen.
When the Voyager is unfolded a QWERTY keyboard and an interior screen pickup exactly where you left off on the exterior touch screen. Text messaging is easy, as is the speakerphone setting that will automatically turn the speakers on when the phone is opened, making looking up phone numbers mid-conversation, or entering numbers easy. (Its especially welcomed when trying to maintain a conversation while driving.)
The V Cast software supports the usual suspects: music and video players and downloads, a digital camera, the ability to transfer media from your computer via USB or Bluetooth, and microSD support. The Voyager has an extractable TV antenna and displays surprisingly good quality live television via V Cast Mobile TV (Picking up the signal can be spotty in certain areas). In our market the major networks were available along with ESPN, MTV, Comedy Central and several others.
The Voyager can record phone calls (up to 5 minutes) as well as speak GPS instructions while you drive (it also works while walking, unusual to use, but helpful nonetheless). The Voyager is available now for $299.
Technical Specs:
CDMA
Frequency: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA (Digital Dual-Band)
Data Transmission High-Speed EVDO
Dimensions 4.64″ (H) x 2.12″ (W) x 0.71″ (D)
Weight 4.69 oz.
Displays Internal LCD: 262K Color TFT, 400 x 240 Pixels, 2.81″
External Touch LCD: 262K Color TFT, 400 x 240 Pixels, 2.81″
Standard Battery 950 mAh Li-Polymer
Usage Time Up to 240 Minutes*
Standby Time Up to 480 Hours