LG Fathom gets real with Windows Mobile 6.5.3 on Verizon
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted May 24th 2010 9:42AM
posted May 24th 2010 9:42AM
New LG Fathom Smartphone Gives Customers Global Capabilities
Download image
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and SAN DIEGO, May 24 /PRNewswire/ --Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones), today announced the LG Fathom™ will be available in Verizon Wireless business sales channels beginning May 27 and online and in Communications Stores beginning June 3. The ultimate on-the-go office, the LG Fathom redefines productivity with Windows Phone power, stylish design and smart global capabilities for making voice calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in 200 countries, 110 with 3G speeds.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100524/NY08944 )
Key features:
* Sleek slate blue case takes customers from Monday meetings to Friday outings
* Large 3.2" touch screen with Improved Touch Experience and vibration for tactile feedback
* 1 GHz processor
* Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with simultaneous touch screen capabilities
* microSD™ slot for up to 16 GB of memory
* Wi-Fi® enabled (802.11 b/g/n)
* Bluetooth® 2.1 capabilities with support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and serial port
* Built-in MP3 and WMA music player with music library, repeat and shuffle features, as well as stereo sound via headset or Bluetooth
* Windows® Media Player 10 Mobile and video player for WMV, MP4, and 3GP formats
* USB mass storage for file transfer between microSD card and PC
* One-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands
* Text to speech and voice-activated dialing for up to 4,000 entries
Additional lifestyle features:
* Dedicated task manager key for quick access to mobile Task Manager
* Windows Mobile Device Center and ActiveSync allows users to synchronize Outlook®, Office® and contents from Microsoft Exchange Server® to keep personal information organized and updated
* View and edit with Excel® Mobile, OneNote® Mobile and Word® Mobile or view important presentations with PowerPoint® Mobile
* Scroll, zoom and view rich PDF content with Adobe® Reader LE
* Global roaming frequency automatically switches from CDMA/EVDO to GSM/UMTS depending on geographic location
* VZ Navigator® capabilities – Receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others
* VZ Navigator Global capabilities – Get turn-by-turn directions and maps in English while navigating through more than 20 destinations such as Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This easy-to-use application also marks distances in miles or kilometers and finds restaurants, gas stations, banks/ATMs and other popular spots using the Local Search feature
* Wireless manager enables and disables wireless connectivity for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular network
* Luminous sensor designed to adjust LCD backlight brightness depending on light conditions
* Proximity sensor instantly locks touch screen buttons while talking on the phone
* Text and send clear images and fun animations through Flash User interface support
* International charger plus up to four different adapter clips for multi-country use
* 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder that includes:
o Five different camera resolutions and three different video resolutions
o Macro Mode for detailed, up close pictures
o Panorama for three guided, sequential shots
o Continuous shot for up to six consecutive photos
o Scene mode for auto, portrait, landscape, sports and night settings
o Image editor with zoom, rotate, resize, crop, added frames and stamps
o Customizable brightness, white balance, shutter sounds and color effects and a self-timer
o Choose between mute and unmute to record video with or without sound
o Optimize video quality with normal, fine or super camcorder settings
o Video recording time up to one minute for sending or up to one hour for saving
Pricing and availability:
* The LG Fathom will be available in business sales channels beginning May 27 and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning June 3 for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
* LG Fathom customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
* Business customers interested in the LG Fathom can contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.
* For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
Download image
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and SAN DIEGO, May 24 /PRNewswire/ --Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones), today announced the LG Fathom™ will be available in Verizon Wireless business sales channels beginning May 27 and online and in Communications Stores beginning June 3. The ultimate on-the-go office, the LG Fathom redefines productivity with Windows Phone power, stylish design and smart global capabilities for making voice calls in more than 220 countries and accessing data in 200 countries, 110 with 3G speeds.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100524/NY08944 )
Key features:
* Sleek slate blue case takes customers from Monday meetings to Friday outings
* Large 3.2" touch screen with Improved Touch Experience and vibration for tactile feedback
* 1 GHz processor
* Full slide-out QWERTY keyboard with simultaneous touch screen capabilities
* microSD™ slot for up to 16 GB of memory
* Wi-Fi® enabled (802.11 b/g/n)
* Bluetooth® 2.1 capabilities with support for the following profiles: headset, hands-free, dial-up networking, stereo, phone book access, basic printing, basic imaging, object push for vCard and vCalendar, file transfer, and serial port
* Built-in MP3 and WMA music player with music library, repeat and shuffle features, as well as stereo sound via headset or Bluetooth
* Windows® Media Player 10 Mobile and video player for WMV, MP4, and 3GP formats
* USB mass storage for file transfer between microSD card and PC
* One-touch speaker phone and speaker-independent voice commands
* Text to speech and voice-activated dialing for up to 4,000 entries
Additional lifestyle features:
* Dedicated task manager key for quick access to mobile Task Manager
* Windows Mobile Device Center and ActiveSync allows users to synchronize Outlook®, Office® and contents from Microsoft Exchange Server® to keep personal information organized and updated
* View and edit with Excel® Mobile, OneNote® Mobile and Word® Mobile or view important presentations with PowerPoint® Mobile
* Scroll, zoom and view rich PDF content with Adobe® Reader LE
* Global roaming frequency automatically switches from CDMA/EVDO to GSM/UMTS depending on geographic location
* VZ Navigator® capabilities – Receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others
* VZ Navigator Global capabilities – Get turn-by-turn directions and maps in English while navigating through more than 20 destinations such as Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This easy-to-use application also marks distances in miles or kilometers and finds restaurants, gas stations, banks/ATMs and other popular spots using the Local Search feature
* Wireless manager enables and disables wireless connectivity for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular network
* Luminous sensor designed to adjust LCD backlight brightness depending on light conditions
* Proximity sensor instantly locks touch screen buttons while talking on the phone
* Text and send clear images and fun animations through Flash User interface support
* International charger plus up to four different adapter clips for multi-country use
* 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder that includes:
o Five different camera resolutions and three different video resolutions
o Macro Mode for detailed, up close pictures
o Panorama for three guided, sequential shots
o Continuous shot for up to six consecutive photos
o Scene mode for auto, portrait, landscape, sports and night settings
o Image editor with zoom, rotate, resize, crop, added frames and stamps
o Customizable brightness, white balance, shutter sounds and color effects and a self-timer
o Choose between mute and unmute to record video with or without sound
o Optimize video quality with normal, fine or super camcorder settings
o Video recording time up to one minute for sending or up to one hour for saving
Pricing and availability:
* The LG Fathom will be available in business sales channels beginning May 27 and in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide and online at www.verizonwireless.com beginning June 3 for $149.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
* LG Fathom customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access.
* Business customers interested in the LG Fathom can contact their Verizon Wireless Business Sales Representative at 1-800-VZW-4BIZ.
* For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
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Seriously Engadget. News about any WinMo version other than Phone 7 should be banned. This is almost offensive ;-)
@Beatnik
Why manufactures continue to make 6.5 devices is so...
*puts on sunglasses*
...hard to fathom.
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
@skyblaze
because there are some people that wont b willing to immediately transition from winmo6 to winmo7, especially since there IS a chance winmo7 will be a huge fail, just like with every other new OS. Also, what about the people that need a new winmo phone now? not later this year, but now?
@skyblaze
Exactly, Does it come with an stylus?
Windows Mobile devices 6.x take like centuries to update.
Will Microsoft be keeping WinMo 6.5.x side by side with Windows Phone 7 as an option for business users? Because WP7, so far, does not look enterprise-friendly. It looks more like a consumer-oriented experience.
Business users (Microsoft's bread-n-butter) are going to want Blackberry-esque interfaces and tools, such as Exchange push. Unless there's something we haven't seen yet with WP7, which is likely, it looks like WM6.5 will better serve business users' needs.
@Beatnik
LG is on a roll releasing 1-2 year old phones that nobody wants.
@Beatnik
OMG the Zombie OS is coming again.
@Beatnik
It is a very powerful phone at least. I used WinMo 6.5.3 on my HTC Touch for a while, it's not like it's terrible or unusable! It works just fine. I just want to know why they couldn't give this same 1Ghz proc. to that Android phone they are launching on Verizon, the Ally. If that had a Snapdragon instead of the old 528 Mhz thingy I would get it, but instead I'm sticking with HTC and getting an Eris: Now you can run it at 768 Mhz with 2.2 coming soon. I can't wait for my V-Hero!
@Beatnik the style is classy - still looks great IMO, although this is not the one I've been waiting for in LG. Still looking for that Apollo running on winphone 7 and has 1.3GHz procs. http://j.mp/apollo-superphone-by-lg
i thought the HD2 was the last WM6.x device? it seemed like a perfect way to end...
3 buttons on the front. Does it meas that it'll get WP7 in the future?
@guitarkid that is exactly what I was thinking, is it just me or do the buttons look super cheap though?
@bigjkcfan They indeed do.
@guitarkid No, you need a Back + Windows + Search Button and not a call and hang up button...
@guitarkid
Probably not. I believe the three buttons need to be a back button, a Windows button, and dedicated search button.
@jlarex Eh... nothin' a couple stickers won't fix.
the LG Panther (WP7) is real too!: http://www.mobiletechworld.com/2010/05/24/more-lg-panther-windows-phone-7-pictures/
Really? Wtf ... if you're looking to save money... just make another Android handset ... not stupid WinMo 6.x
Strike while it's hot!!!.... so maybe, don't strike.
HD2 is, was, and ever shall be the best WM device ever made.
Everything from here on out, is inferior, especially if it's running WP7.
What's with the D-Pad on the qwerty? Reminds me of a droid -- ugh.
Bad keyboard design.
@DoctarPeppar so the Mondrian with a 1.3ghz snapdragon and 4.3" screen will be inferior to the HD2 just because its running an updated and better OS? im confused at that statement
@SteveyAyo
The Mondrian will only be a decent phone if someone ports 6.5.3 to it...and someone will, make no mistake. WP7 is fail...I'm sorry, it's just fail all over -- no multitasking, no external memory support (no sd cards on any wp7 phone), no way to install 3rd party apps outside of the windows marketplace, no flash. I don't really care about the other improvements -- those things that I listed are a complete dealbreaker for me. It's clear MS don't know wtf they are doing...they should have updated WM6 to use the WindowsCE 6 kernel when it came out and continued to improve upon that. Then they had to go and kill the courier as well...they are clueless.
@DoctarPeppar ok i will begin correcting your wp7 assumptions with Flash, they will have flash, it has been confirmed by adobe and microsoft.
the microsd thing is lame but the minimum phone storage is 8gb and ofcourse the connection to the cloud which really takes away need for other means of storage, it has multitasking in the same sense as 4.0, and xda will have that thing open in a matter of minutes to install all of your favorite 3rd party apps... it seems that your hatred of WP7 comes from not really knowing about it and what it offers...
Well the HD2 hardware is good enough to merit picking one up, but this? No thanks. There are definitely better ways to spend $150 with Verizon. If it can be updated with WP7 it's cool, but the devices that come out at WP7 launch will slaughter this thing.
It looks like it is designed for WP7 so it probably won't be obsolete any time soon. Furthermore WM 6.5.3 does more than Android 2.2 for my business needs and Android 2.2 isn't out yet. I'd prefer hardware similar to the EVO for my next WM or WP7 phone though.
Not too shabby. 4-row keyboard and 5-way directional rocker = tits.
It's hard for those who are not deep into WinMo to know, but the OS continues to strengthen. The lack of finger-friendliness is being answered with greater finger friendliness of WM 6.5.X plus skinning/ 3rd party software like Sense/ SPB Mobile Shell. The lagginess is being answered by Snapdragon processors. Combined with its versatility and huge base of free apps, it's really top notch, although it's doubtful the girls at Engadget could figure that out. On top of all that, over at XDA, there's amazing WinMo stuff going on.
^ The last remaining WinMo fanboy. ^
He's not the only one. To tell you the truth, I like Windows Mobile 6.5.x as well. I have used WinMo devices exclusively until late last year, until I got a Droid.
I recognize that Android is the superior OS, and I have moved on to Android. It's just the future. The web browsing alone makes the experience great. Android and iPhone OS are the only mobile OS that I can stand using the web browser, but iPhone has its issues that prevent me from using it (closed policies, locked to AT&T, etc).
I will give WinPhone7 the benefit of a doubt and try it out. I'm on a Droid now (haven't upgraded to Incredible), so I'll hold out to the HTC Mondrian or LG Panther comes out. If WP7 can't sway me back to Windows Mobile, then it's Android all the way.
On that note, why does HTC seem to hate hardware keyboards? I'm swaying more towards the LG Panther for that reason alone.
@HotFuzz Just the facts my furry little friend.
@HotFuzz
you android and iphone fanboyz should be bowing down to winmo. in 2003 it was doing things your oses are just now inventing.
watch and listen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SclPmwGOoE&feature=player_embedded
What's the advantage of Windows Mobile 6.5.3 over the version of Windows Mobile I got with the update to 6.5 Sprint released for their Touch Pro 2 ????
I want a HTC EVO (Android, 1ghz or faster, 4.3")...
WITH A KEYBOARD.
SO, this might be a band aid till I get the above.
Specs actually aren't bad.... until you get to the Windows Mobile part.
I pity the fool.
Anyway, I'd like the Samsung Galaxy S Pro to have this same keyboard, except with the direction pad on the left (and a flash on the camera, and a less cheap looking build)
Not too shabby.
I actually like this phone! Perfect for typing. Nothing is wrong, I love the design. Wish I could get this unlocked for tmobile :)
It's got removable storage and I'm pretty sure a resistive screen so it won't get an official W7 upgrade.
We'll but tons of these over the Touch Slow 2. There are plenty of companies that require things like data at rest encryption and other security features that require devices like these and Blackberry's. Plus with a snapdragon in there and no Sense to slow it down it should probably be not too bad.
i like the design... but why WinMo? T.T
I'd get this if I were on Verizon. I find that Windows Mobile gives me no trouble, haven't had to soft reset/hard reset, never had any problems with my Touch Pro, and still running stock rom. Probably one of the few that says Windows Mobile just works, everyone else is just too lazy. :)
Is ANYBODY going to be pushing a WinMo 7 phone EVER?
There's two known Wp7 devices in the works...
LG Panther
HTC Mondrian
The Panther has a hardware keyboard and a 1GHz Snapdragon. The Mondrain is touch-only but 300MHz faster.
@Elranzer
Let's not forget Dell's Lightning
This hardware looks hot. Using WinMo 6.5.3 is not.
The LG Ally's software is hot (stock Andoid 2.1!) but the hardware it not (no Snapdragon, worse keyboard, tiny screen, etc).
LG... recall the Ally. Take this phone and put Android 2.1 on it. Then you've got a winner. It would be more Incredible than the HTC Droid Incredible.
A dedicated task manager button?! To me it seem like they have it all wrong. I mean 4 years ago when I was rocking the HTC 8125 it would have been nice, maybe even wanted. In today's mobile phone world it is laughable to even consider the need for such a button.
But why? Maybe if it was a good phone like the HD2, but this is pretty lackluster IMO. And why not just wait for WP7? Buying an older Android handset, iPhone, or Blackberry isn' that bad since they OS isn't a major change, but WinMo 6.5.3? I think this is missing the point.
Hell. Everyone *but* HTC and Apple are missing the point as far as I'm concerned, and the latter of the two didn't come around until the 4th Gen iPhone got leaked and OS 4.0 got announced.
If the screen was a little bigger I'd buy it. I like WinMo, will probably buy phone 7 when it comes out, but this keyboard beats the Panthers by having a dedicated number row. Really, a 3.2" screen? and a 3.2mp camera? on a new phone?
Could be very interesting if it got an android port from the gets at xda devs. I know, I know, most of the devices that have had this happen are HTC built, but I mean, you give these guys something to work with and they tend to surprise you. There is actually a super usable port of cupcake that I use on my htc titan (aka sprint mogul...aka fossil of a smartphone).
Oooh, WinMo. The only platform willing to include a fully functional stylus.
Actually, the pa recently switched to Sprint and wanted the smart phone experience for work, and I just couldn't bring myself to recommending the Hero or even my own Moment to him. Nice platform and all, but he's of the just-works mindset, and that ain't Android (yet). Over-the-top degrees of customization are nice for us nerds, but he's looking for a tool, not a project.
Yes yes, everybody will say that Android is newb friendly, because that's what Android proponents say. Meanwhile, find ANY random joe newbington whose had an Android device for a few months and look at what he's done to it. Try to keep your calm, it'll scare you a little.
/natch I told him to either get the TP2 or a BB, and just being unable to let go of the geek, I kinda pushed the HTC for the XDA work done on it--they've managed to make WM6.5 run pretty damn nicely on it
A better name would have been "UNfathomable".