LG Chocolate VX8500 Cell Phone Review - Messaging
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Alfredo Padilla Published on March 16, 2007 Comment on this |
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Supported Email Services (0.0)
The LG Chocolate does not have a built in email client, instead directing you to a web based interface to access many popular email services, such as Hotmail, AOL and Yahoo. Wirelessinfo.com does not award points for web based email clients, as such the LG Chocolate from Verizon scores a 0 on this section. Although more phones are adopting purely web based email services, we feel that there are serious flaws with such services, for example when you don’t have network access you are unable to access your email.
Push Email (0.0)
The LG Chocolate does not support Push Email.
Multiple Email Accounts (0.0)
No Email Client
HTML and Attachments (0.0)
No Email Client
Email Customization (0.0)
No Email Client
Time to a New Email Message (0.0)
No Email Client
Email Usability (0.0)
No Email Client
Supported IM Services (0.0)
The LG Chocolate includes an IM client that allows you to use Yahoo, AOL or MSN instant messaging services. Unfortunately you cannot use all 3 services at once. Users should also be careful, as each instant message will use an SMS message, so heavy IM users should invest in a large package of text messages. Because text messages are charged we do not award points for this, however those willing to pay will probably appreciate having the functionality.
MMS Support (5.0)
MMS messaging on the LG Chocolate is divided into two separate types, PIX messages for pictures and FLIX messages for video. Both of these options are found in the messaging area. There is no integration with normal text messages, meaning you cannot start with a standard text message and then add in a photo or video to turn it into an MMS message. MMS is integrated with the photo and video album software, simply select the item you want and choose send from the right soft key menu. You can also send an MMS directly from the still photo or camcorder interface. Once you have taken your photo or video, hitting the action key on the directional pad.
We were pleased to see integration with photo and video software on the LG Chocolate, but disappointed by the splitting of MMS into two different categories. We like the complete integration you see on phones like the Treo 700p, where there is a single messaging client that handles all of your SMS/MMS needs.
SMS Smiley Face Interpretation (2.0)
The LG Chocolate supports a wide arrange of different small graphics that you can insert into a standard text message. This of course includes smiley faces. Curiously however, the Chocolate did not turn any of the smiley faces we sent to it from a reference phone into graphics, leaving them in standard text format. This is an unfortunate omission, and surprising given that the Chocolate can definitely display smiley faces.
SMS/MMS Ease of Use (5.0)
The SMS/MMS program on the LG Chocolate is organized in a fairly standard fashion. You can access it easily from the phone’s home page as it is assigned to the left soft key by default. You have a messaging program that allows you to create a new message, access email, voicemail or IM.
In addition to this you can access your messaging inbox, sent mail and drafts folder from this menu. These folders are combined for SMS and MMS, messages are displayed individually in a list. Once you are in a folder or program you will need to use the back key to get back to the combined messaging interface. Unfortunately this doesn’t work if you have accessed a web based service like email. In this case you will need to use the end key to go back to the home page and then re-enter the messaging program.
When creating an SMS/MMS message you are presented with a list of fields. The “To” field when highlighted has space for up to 5 different numbers. You can also insert a contact, a number from a recent call, send to a group or to all your contacts.
Overall we found the MMS/SMS interface on the LG Chocolate to be run of the mill. It’s comparable to the interface on the Motorola Razr V3m, and not a patch on the excellent intefrace found on the Treo 700p.
Time to New SMS Message (3.68)
In order to test how long it takes to create a new SMS message, we measure the amount on time it takes to go from the home screen to a new SMS dialogue. The LG Chocolate took an average of 2.72 seconds to get to a new SMS dialogue. This is a good time and is aided by the messaging shortcut on the home screen, however wee did find that the Chocolate’s touch sensitive controls slowed us down a little. Compared to a phone like the Motorola Razr V3m, which took 4.6 seconds, we were pleased with the LG Chocolate’s performance.
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