VX8600
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Alltel officially releases colorful LG AX8600s
We were just a little giddy when we heard that Alltel would be releasing the LG AX8600 (aka VX8600 for Verizon folks, aka "Chocolate flip") in several popsicle-like colors a few weeks back, and as of now, these beauties are ready to go from Alltel. Alltel's site still lists the puppies as "pre-order", but we hear that they're in Alltel retail stores ready to go home with any customer that's looking for some 1.3 megapixel, touch sensitive, music-ready clamshell love. Drop us a comment if you've seen the new AX8600 in your local Alltel store -- it seems rare to see stores beat their own company website with product availability, but it does happen.[via phoneArena]
Pre-order LG AX8600s coming in new colors from Alltel
Alltel likes colors, from gloss black to fire red -- so it's no wonder that one of the handset staples in its inventory is getting new skins for all kinds of personalities and tastes. The LG AX8600 is apparently available not available in several new colors from CDMA carrier Alltel even though that handset was brought to life as the VX8600 by larger CDMA fan Verizon Wireless last summer. While we're still not sure Alltel has the "largest network", at least the carrier does have some decently-packed phones as of late. But, right now, we still can't find the AX8600 for pre-order in these different skins available at Alltel's website. It was there briefly, but it's gone as of this second. Until it reappears, here's a nice pic of the Verizon version in plain ole' black to tide you over.Update, 2-27-07, 12:02pm CST: Alltel's page with the newly-colored AX8600s is up now. Hopefully it stays there (Thanks Brent!)[Thanks, jerreteb]
Verizon's LG VX8600 reviewed
For folks looking for a sweet new clamshell on Verizon, the choice between the Motorola K1m and the so-called Chocolate flip -- the LG VX8600 -- is a tough one. After all, they're both glossy, music-oriented pieces with touch sensitive external controls; heck, even LG agrees the similarity is a rather striking one. So how's a consumer to decide? LAPTOP Magazine recently decided to take a crack at the VX8600, coming away with a rather glowing review of the phone. Of course, Verizon's consistent (and sometimes maligned) UI experience levels the playing field significantly, but LAPTOP was pleased with the acceptable call quality, 1.3 megapixel cam's performance, the external controls, the loud (only slightly distorted) external speaker and A2DP support. In fact, they go on to sum it up by saying that "this is now our favorite V Cast phone." Of course, we're guessing there's a Moto fan or two just itching to respond in kind, but it sounds like anyone looking to pick up the Chocolatiest of clamshells won't come away disappointed.[Via I4U News]
Verizon's LG VX8600 Chocolate flip launched
After a brief visit to their "testman" staging site this morning, Verizon went ahead and kicked out the LG VX8600 Chocolate flip without further ado. Still sportin' the specs leaked back in September, the VX8600 will cost you $129.99 on a two year contract after the on-line discount -- the rumored $249.99 full-retail / $229.99 one-year options don't appear on the site, yet. That buys you into a fashionable, V Cast musicphone with microSD expansion, A2DP stereo audio over Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel shooter, and what's this... an enabled speakerphone -- gasp. [Thanks, John and everyone else who sent this in]
LG VX8600 to hit Verizon Wireless shelves
We know Verizon Wireless has internally announced the launch of the successor in the Chocolate series, the LG VX8600, but now we want to shed a little light on what you'll have to pony up to get one. Pricing specifics are $249.99 for full retail, $229.99 on a one year, and $179.99 on a two year servitude contract. Look for this device to launch November 15th. Now how quickly can you eBay that white chocolate you just bought?
Clearest pictures yet of Verizon's LG VX8600
With rumors coming fast and furious that the Chocolate flip -- alias LG VX8600 -- will be launching this month on Verizon, we thought we'd take this opportunity to publish clear, high-res pics of the hotness from virtually every angle. As a refresher, the high-fashion musicphone will hit us up with a 1.3-megapixel camera, microSD expansion, A2DP, and GPS. All those specs are reminiscent of its slider sibling, the VX8500, save for one important detail: this time, it'll launch with an enabled speakerphone. We don't have details on pricing as of yet, but look for a $50 rebate out of the gate. Click on for more eye candy![Thanks, anonymous tipster]
White Chocolate comes to Verizon just in time for Halloween
Don't say Roc didn't tell you so when we first brought you the details of the white Chocolate being released on Verizon Wireless, and when we wrote about the additional colors being introduced as well. Now, just in time to satisfy your sweet tooth for Halloween, Verizon decides to drop the White Chocolate this coming Tuesday with the following pricing: Full Retail $360, one year $230, and two year (yikes!) contract it's $180. Not too bad until you figure out the only thing different about this is the color -- and according to the spec sheet, it doesn't even come with the speakerphone update. Bad Verizon, bad.
LG accidentally announces Verizon VX8600 Chocolate flip!
Oops! Dotting all your i's and crossing all your t's is a painstaking process, we know, LG... we don't fault you in the least for leaking press shots (accidentally, we presume) for your VX8600 at CTIA. It looks like the official fact sheet slipped through your fingers, too: EV-DO, internal 220 x 176 and external 160 x 128 displays, Bluetooth 1.1 with A2DP, microSD expansion, and a real, actual speakerphone this time around -- nothing we didn't know or suspect already. Now go get your stern talking-to from Verizon, make amends, and we'll be talking to you shortly when this thing actually goes official.[Via Phone Scoop]
LG's VX8600 Chocolate flip is trs sweet
Overwhelmed with all the latest Chocolate intel? Does your sweet tooth still want more? Well here you go. Roc A Fella was able to smuggle out some marketing photos today and let us tell you, she's quite a sweet phone. Expect external music controls (yep), Bluetooth 2.0. microSD, a 1.3 megapixel camera, and V CAST music (1.2). Word on the street is that this one just may come out this month. As we eagerly anticipate the newest edition to Verizon's lineup, we'll just have to wait and see as more details surface.
LG's "Black Sapphire" MG810 Chocolate flip phone is real!
We hope you're not preparing for this to be a specced out monster of a cellphone, but for those longing for a Chocolate flip phone that may be a little (ok, a lot) too reminiscent of the KRZR, look no further than the Black Sapphire MG810 (aka VX8600, and U830). It'll apparently have a 1.3 megapixel camera, 176 x 220 internal display (and 96x 96 external), media player that supports MP3 and AAC, Bluetooth, FM radio, 128MB of flash memory, and GRPS. Still, she's ah so beautiful. According to our Brazilian pal who sent this in, they snuck it right out underneath our ever lovin' noses and apparently put it on sale in South America for 999 Brazil Reais (or about $465 US). Steep, for a phone that doesn't appear to have EDGE or expandable media, but you're not paying for features here, remember?[Thanks, Gustavo]
Is this thing the VX9900? And that one the VX8600?
We know Verizon's The V (formerly known as the VX9800) has its fair share of fans (and detractors), but we're hoping they nailed it on the second go with their rumored VX9900; though the image here may be craptastic, it definitely does look to be a bit of an improvement and even takes a few notes from the gone-but-not-forgotten Ixi Ogo. Oh, and supposedly that Chocolate flip U830 is pictured here as the VX8600, so it's all coming together.
Verizon's LG VX8600 Chocolate flip in the wild
The finer visual details of the VX8500's hinged sibling might remain unclear with these blur-tastic shots, but we think we can see enough here to question whether Verizon and LG are taking the "Chocolate" theme a smidge far. Its glossy exterior is presumably graced with the trademark touch-sensitive, disappearing music controls, but is this not a rather plain looking phone when you pop 'er open? Gone is the spiffy checkerboard that graced its international cousin, the KG810, leaving a perfectly typical midrange-looking handset in its place. Our hats remain off to Verizon for bringing the Chocolate series stateside, but somehow, something appears to have been lost in the translation.[Via phoneArena]
LG VX8600, VX9900 show signs of life on Verizon site
Spelunking through the nooks and crannies of carriers' websites often yield tidbits on upcoming phones; Verizon's Backup Assistant page is doing the honors today, shedding light on a couple of LGs that'll be dropping shortly. First up is the "big brother to the VX9800," the VX9900, a phone our own Boy Genius told us would be dropping in September -- the 4th to be exact, if Verizon's documentation is to be trusted. Next is the VX8600, which we believe will expand LG's Chocolate franchise in the US to the clamshell form factor. Of course, some of us are still waiting for even a single GSM Chocolate to officially launch stateside, but more power to our CDMA compadres for scoring two of 'em.[Thanks, Damian]
