Verizon rolls out LG VX9400, second VCAST TV phone

Sure, Samsung's u620 was the first on the scene when Verizon's MediaFLO-based VCAST TV service launched earlier this month, but the fashionably late VX9400 from LG seems to be the real prize. At least that's the impression we got when we had the opportunity to mess around with both side by side at CES in January, and starting today, Verizon customers can start buying and critiquing VX9400s of their very own (in VCAST TV markets, anyway). Your hard-earned $200 -- plus the standard issue two-year agreement, of course -- will net you the Chocolate-esqe handset with a swivel screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, stereo Bluetooth, microSD expansion, and naturally, EV-DO data. We wouldn't mind a few more teevee channels, but beggars can't be choosers when it comes to the mobile TV landscape here in the US -- and besides, it's a pretty nifty lookin' handset anyway, right?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Steele @ Mar 23rd 2007 11:57AM]

It figures about 4 months after I renew my service contract, mobile tv comes here. Oh well, by the time I'll get to experience it at least all the bugs will be worked out, and the network will be much larger.
By the way, I really like this phone, it is quite cool. I'll have to go see it at the verizon store sometime.

[JoshLowry @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:26PM]

@Steele, I think that's always the best way to go about gadget purchases. I think I am one of the last persons to get the razr, but now it's got all the kinks worked out and has a whole lot more features at a much smaller price than when it first came out.

This phone will be cheaper, have a bigger screen, and a better camera in 6 months.

Here is a neat article on how to time your purchases: http://www.rewardprograms.org/thefreegeek/how_to_time_your_gadget_purchases_the_ultimate_guide.html


- Josh

Where's your head at? - http://www.StateOfBrain.com

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 23rd 2007 12:50PM]

MEH! Sling has no monthly knot...
http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingplayermobile.html

[blackcoffeenosugar @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:05PM]

Am I right if you want to dial a number you have to turn the screen first? (According to the pictures.) Strange...

[David @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:11PM]

Was it really worth it to introduce the complexity, reliability and usability issues of a rotating screen just to avoid a user having to turn his phone 90 degrees to watch TV? What is the advantage to this design??

[theattack @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:29PM]

the advantage is clearly in holding the device. Its not natutal to hold a device in landscape, but have the screen do it for you is. However, the problem with that is the buttons are blocked now and you need to flip it to use it.

They should do what the did with the Music Ultra, one screen in the front for phones, and one in the back for TV.

[Mike on a Bike @ Mar 23rd 2007 2:54PM]

How about expanding your smartphone lineup to include a new lightweight windows mobile device you VZW jerks? Vcast is for teenagers with too much money...

[Eric @ Mar 23rd 2007 7:01PM]

When is the razr maxx ve going to come out for verizon!?

[Luminaire @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:24PM]

What a pretty phone. It's a same they have the same crappy interface, yet again. Verizon, take your millions of dollars and buy yourself a clue - your users *hate* that fugly interface. Even Windows Mobile looks prettier, and it's probably more functional.

Oh, right. With Windows Mobile, you can't keep a stranglehold over functions of the phone I should get for free anyway. How silly of me

[brad @ Apr 13th 2007 12:19PM]

What an awesome phone.. :) Only bummer is how expensive it is..

brad
http://www.vx9400.com

[Keischa @ Apr 27th 2007 8:05PM]

actually, i just bought this phone and it's wonderful. it's hardly a nuisance to flip the phone to dial or text, since, anyone who has ever owned a flip phone knows, that you have to flip it to use these features anyway. Besides, you don't even have to flip the phone to make calls if you call from your contact list or use voice command which works pretty well. sometimes you can't have everything on a phone. the only thing that might suck about this phone is that the speakerphone is kinda low, but that is solved if you have a bluetooth headset. overall, this is a good handset for anyone that wants alot of technology packed into a little device.