Any visiting H G Wells type time-traveller would think that humanity was suffering from an epidemic of violent ear-ache. Everywhere you go people have a hand to their ear as if to relieve pain and seem oblivious to their surroundings. Of course it is a case of mobile phone-itus that is the cause rather than ear-ache although having to listen to outbreaks of various ring tones and loud one-sided conversations could induce pain in the ear. Still we love mobile phones and all the new features they bring.
Up until recently I would never have associated the Korean company
LG with mobile phones. This ignorance was due to the fact that LG had
ignored the UK market when it came to this type of device. This
situation has now changed as LG is looking to increase its market share
of 5.2% that it has built up in other areas of the world.
Rather than rush headlong into the UK market with its full range of
mobile phones, LG is limiting its initial offering to just three models
which have been classified as 2.5G phones. I was one of the first to
get the opportunity to test the LG7100 model in the wild so to speak.
Available only with an Orange monthly contract, the LG7100 comes with a
built-in camera for the more photogenic amongst us.
This flip-top model measures 110 x 48 x 23 mm (L x W x D) when
closed. While not the smallest phone on the market, the LG7100 sits
comfortably in the hand, is lightweight and has an impressive list of
features. Tastefully coloured in matt silver with a black trim, the
flip top is decorated by a circular silver mirror that is actually an
organic LED acting as a scrolling information window as the date, time,
battery and signal strength are shown.
Opening the flip top reveals a full colour display that portrays a
bright image. This display screen can be rotated through 270º to help
with lining up the camera which, incidentally, is positioned on the
left side of the hinge. An automatic flash improves picture taking in
various conditions. The camera also features up to 4x zoom capability.
Lining up the camera can prove to be a test of patience as you attempt
to frame the image at the correct angle within the viewing screen. I
have lost count of the number of times by attempts bore a resemblance
to that tower in Pisa - obviously David Beckham has better special
awareness than me.
When dialling in the dark, I suppose we all do it at sometime or
another, the LG7100 provides a backlight for the various keys and can
be set to speak the keys pressed in either English or French. You also
have the ability to program voice commands for specific number dialling.
As well as being a phone and camera, the LG7100 can act as your
gateway to the Internet. Of course only those sites that support a WAP
device will be available. Orange do provide a reasonable service in
this respect and you can view information or set up text alerts for
sport results, horoscopes, lottery results and news. Email facilities
can be set although this does require a PC for setting up the initial
details. PC connectivity is via a provided serial cable or infrared.
I have no information regarding pricing as that could vary according
to your contract with Orange. However this is a phone that will attract
envious glances, has plenty of features and is well worth considering.
Link : http://www.lge.co.uk/mod_perl/go.pl/site/products/mobile/default.htm?product_uid=2728&category_uid=662
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