Calling All Colors Next-Generation Cell Phones from LG, Motoro
February 2003
Reviewed by Natalie Hope McDonald
Sprint PCS LX5350 by LG Mobile Phones
$230
www.sprintpcs.com
Apparently, cell phones don't have to chirp, bleep and squeal unnervingly to get your undivided attention (this one clucks like a rooster). Upon launch, LG's 5340 sounds more like wind chimes on a summer's day than the impending wonk of the apocalypse. Being able to customize the graphics (built-in choices are particularly friendly to nature lovers, what with seascapes and autumn foliage) also means that, using the phone's download function, any digital image can be viewed on the device's 1.5x 1.5-inch color screen.
The phone is built with both an internal and external LCD. On the clamshell's exterior, the LCD waxes battery power, reception and time, as well as incoming calls (launching caller I.D. for those already programmed into the phone book). Internally, the full-color screen is easy to navigate with soft keys that select menu options using one touch, whether browsing for call history or sending an instant message in either short form or full-length e-mail. In fact, the click-through menu with animated icons also boasts games (like Space Invaders), as well as instant messaging. Note to gamers: because the phone also supports Internet access, additional games can be downloaded from the Internet with or without charge.
As for the internal workings, even a trip to Cape Cod didn't stop the phone from performing well under harsh conditions. Coupled with the Sprint plan, I was able to make and receive calls in a vacation spot not known for its cellular towers. Better yet, the battery time is considerate for those of us who forget to recharge. The standard phone comes with a removable battery that provides about three hours of continuous digital talk time and eight hours of standby, whereas the extended battery offers five hours of digital talk time and about 12 days of standby. This meant that I could do a three-way call without worrying about losing too much juice.
And when I chose to avoid the usual calling suspects, I could select from a variety of ring tones that made it easy to know who's on the horn without even looking. The sounds can be set to distinguish between in-coming calls, voice mail and text messages, even if the techno dance music ring sounded a little too much like Soft Cell playing on the bar jukebox. Luckily, LG also makes ring tones for the most unlikely environments, like a chicken clucking during a board meeting. Even if you don't like the tones stored (like a trumpet or easy jazz) you can download others to customize.
Sprint PCS LX5350 by LG Mobile Phones
$230
www.sprintpcs.com
Apparently, cell phones don't have to chirp, bleep and squeal unnervingly to get your undivided attention (this one clucks like a rooster). Upon launch, LG's 5340 sounds more like wind chimes on a summer's day than the impending wonk of the apocalypse. Being able to customize the graphics (built-in choices are particularly friendly to nature lovers, what with seascapes and autumn foliage) also means that, using the phone's download function, any digital image can be viewed on the device's 1.5x 1.5-inch color screen.
The phone is built with both an internal and external LCD. On the clamshell's exterior, the LCD waxes battery power, reception and time, as well as incoming calls (launching caller I.D. for those already programmed into the phone book). Internally, the full-color screen is easy to navigate with soft keys that select menu options using one touch, whether browsing for call history or sending an instant message in either short form or full-length e-mail. In fact, the click-through menu with animated icons also boasts games (like Space Invaders), as well as instant messaging. Note to gamers: because the phone also supports Internet access, additional games can be downloaded from the Internet with or without charge.
As for the internal workings, even a trip to Cape Cod didn't stop the phone from performing well under harsh conditions. Coupled with the Sprint plan, I was able to make and receive calls in a vacation spot not known for its cellular towers. Better yet, the battery time is considerate for those of us who forget to recharge. The standard phone comes with a removable battery that provides about three hours of continuous digital talk time and eight hours of standby, whereas the extended battery offers five hours of digital talk time and about 12 days of standby. This meant that I could do a three-way call without worrying about losing too much juice.
And when I chose to avoid the usual calling suspects, I could select from a variety of ring tones that made it easy to know who's on the horn without even looking. The sounds can be set to distinguish between in-coming calls, voice mail and text messages, even if the techno dance music ring sounded a little too much like Soft Cell playing on the bar jukebox. Luckily, LG also makes ring tones for the most unlikely environments, like a chicken clucking during a board meeting. Even if you don't like the tones stored (like a trumpet or easy jazz) you can download others to customize.
