Verizon Wireless

BlackBerry Tour 9630 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)
$499.99
I was extremely excited to own my very first Blackberry phone. I had just recently given up on my G1 phone. I was curious to see how the Blackberry compared to the G1. The phone itself serves its purpose. The screen is nice and fairly scratch resistant, unlike the G1 which was prone to scratches. The keyboard set up is great and makes texting and emailing a breeze. My only issue was with the dialing pad, when given a phone number with letters instead of numbers (i.e. 1 800 322 tour) there isn't a way to figure out what letters go to which number.

I keep reading mixed reviews about the battery. I text and email pretty much throughout my day and my battery holds up very well. But, if you include phone calls and web surfing, it puts a serious strain on the battery. Any busy business person knows, either have a spare battery or have a charger, at work, in the car, and at home...nothing new there.

My biggest gripe with my new Blackberry is the high cost of apps. Everything is seriously overpriced, for the simplest applications. The average price on the Blackberry market seems to be $4.99. That is one great thing about my G1. Many great apps were free and if they were priced, it was usually less than $2. The same apps I used to download on my G1 now cost me between $3-$5 on my Tour. Also, many free applications available are not compatible for the Tour. Also, you can forget about streaming youtube videos using the included application, it is not supported on the Tour. Do a web search for the headaches that people are having trying to stream videos on their Tour.

Customization of the installed apps is also an issue I have. You are very limited on how you can manipulate the phone to the settings that you want most. The only way around it is to download an app for each individual item. If you want to customize settings for your alarm, buy an app. If you want to customize your calendar, buy an app. It is crazy, the phone just keeps costing money for as long as you own it. Once my contract runs out, the next great phone running the Android operating system will be high on my wish list.

LG enV3 VX9200 Phone, Blue (Verizon Wireless)
$399.99
At first I loved this phone. It makes texting easy. I could even handle one phone sporadically turning off and having to get a replacement. However, phone #2 had the exact same problem. It turns out that whenever I applied pressure to the back of the phone it would turn off... same as phone #1. I did a little research and found out I'm certainly not the only one having this problem. When I went to Verizon and told them this they said I was the only one with this complaint. Apparently they have bad memories. I even tried calling LG, but they said it's their company policy to only keep sending the same phone OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. Now on to phone #3. I was SO excited to get this phone out of the box and discover that it does not turn off when pressure is applied to the back! Finally!! This morning after getting off a stalled Metro train I tried to call my boss to let her know I'd be late... I thought I was just a victim of bad cell phone reception. After work I tried calling my mother... but I couldn't hear the phone ringing. Finally it dawns on me--the earpiece is broken!! Luckily you can call people with this phone flipped open. I called Verizon and they told me I need to call them back on another phone--FUNNY VERIZON. I PAY YOU FOR THIS TO BE MY PHONE.

The short version of this story--LG ENV3 is a waste of time and money and neither Verizon or LG cares enough about customer service to fix the problem.

Verizon Wireless Samsung SCH-i760 Smartphone Premium Reusable LCD Screen Guard Protector with Lint Cleaning Cloth By Ikross ( 3 Packs )
$0.00
A good idea but the protector comes up about 3/16" short. Also I can see it lifting at the edges already (after 5 minutes). Other than that, it works fine. Shipping was fast, too!

LG Chocolate Touch VX-8575 Phone (Verizon Wireless)
$499.99
Enjoy on-the-go audio that sounds like it came from your home theater with the LG Chocolate Touch for Verizon Wireless, which features patented Dolby Mobile technologies for a dramatically richer listening experience with potent bass and sparkling clarity. The latest in LG's line of music-centric phones, the Chocolate Touch also offers a vibrantly colorful 3-inch touchscreen with intuitive interface and vibrating response. It's also a great social networking companion, with a dedicated messaging key for sending quick updates to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and more.

The LG Chocolate Touch offers a 3-inch touchscreen, a wealth of music playback features, and a 1 GB internal memory that's expandable via microSD memory cards (see a schematic of all the ports and controls). With 1 GB of internal memory dedicated to music--and up to 16 GB of additional storage from optional microSD cards--all your favorite tracks can be cued up and ready to go at a moment's notice. This mobile multimedia powerhouse is compatible with the V Cast Music with Rhapsody service, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via the fast Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO data network, and the V CAST Video on Demand service that enables you to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather and live entertainment video clips. You'll also stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service. And with the optional Visual Voice Mail service, you'll be able to quickly and easily scroll through your messages and pick the ones you want to listen to. See more details on optional Verizon Wireless services below. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming as well as tethering to a PC for use as a modem, full HTML web browsing with RSS support, speakerphone, voice activated dialing, personal organizer tools, and up to 5.1 hours of talk time. Key Features Fast 3G connectivity thanks to the reliable Verizon Wireless EV?DO, Rev A network Dolby Mobile audio playback technologies for rich sound quality through stereo headphones or optional external speakers (Learn more) Multi-format digital audio player compatible with MP3, WAM, and unprotected AAC/AAC+ files Join the Band feature enables you to play along with favorite songs using virtual keyboard or drums Easy access to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other top social networks 3-inch touchscreen display (400 x 240-pixel resolution, 262K color depth) with virtual keyboard and automatic screen rotation based on orientation 1 GB of internal memory Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 16 GB GPS navigation capabilities via VZ Navigator service 3.2-megapixel camera with video capture capabilities with flash and video capture and on-device editing capabilities (Learn more) Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as hands-free headsets and car kits (Learn more) Full messaging capabilities including SMS, MMS, Mobile IM, Mobile Email and Corporate Email Full HTML viewing of Web sites with support for RSS feeds and pre-loaded Bing search engine Voice activated dialing Organizer tools including Calculator, Ez Tip Calculator, Calendar, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notepad, Drawing Pad

Patented Dolby Mobile brings you a dramatically richer listening experience with potent bass and sparkling clarity.

The Touch Chocolate features organic back grip plates in black and purple. Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off Phonebook stores up to 1000 entries with up to 5 numbers, 2 email addresses, 1 physical address and a picture ID per contact 3.5mm headset jack Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4 Vital Statistics
The LG Chocolate Touch weighs 4.23 ounces and measures 4.3 x 2.2 x 0.47 inches. Its 1000 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5.1 hours of talk time, and up to 470 hours (19.6 days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as EV?DO, Rev 0 3G frequencies. What's in the Box
LG Chocolate Touch handset, rechargeable battery, charger, extra purple battery cover, quick start guide, user manual Verizon Wireless Services VZ Navigator Capable: With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. V CAST Music with Rhapsody: Access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks, which delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. For a monthly fee (billed on your Verizon Wireless bill), you can load and reload your subscription songs from your PC to your V CAST Music with Rhapsody phone as often as you want, and take your music on the go. On PCs running the Windows XP or higher operating system, you can also browse, preview and purchase music using the V CAST Music with Rhapsody software, which is available as a free download from the V CAST Music with Rhapsody download website. Additional subscription charges applicable. V CAST Video on Demand: This optional service enables you to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather and live entertainment video clips. It features more than 100 full-length programs from leading broadcast and cable networks, ranging from highly-rated drama and comedy series to reality programs and children¡Çs programming. V CAST Video on Demand also delivers live sporting events, including NHL hockey games and an upcoming slate of college football games The service offers unlimited viewing of Basic Videos and the ESPN MVP channel. You can choose from 14 categories, including Entertainment, Kids, Music, Sports, Comedy, News, Pop Culture, Information, Women, Latino, Home & Leisure, Multicultural, Cutting Edge, and Hollywood. Additional subscription charges applicable. Visual Voice Mail: This innovative service enables you to delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail. Mobile Broadband Connect: Use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The Mobile Broadband Connect tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with Mobile Broadband Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices. Learn More Feature-Rich Music Playback with Dolby Mobile

The Chocolate Touch's music player. Experience rich sound quality through stereo headphones or external speakers. Customizable EQ Settings: flat, bass boost, treble boost, vocal boost, and classical. Manual EQ--adjust EQ settings across 4 bands. Standard 3.5mm headset jack. Natural Bass--provides clean, powerful bass extension without artificial sound effects.

FM radio with up to 12 presets. High-Frequency Enhancer--reinforces the high frequencies for lower-quality source content. Sound Level Controller--maintains a consistent playback level, both within a particular program and across content. Native music player for MP3, WMA, unprotected AAC, and unprotected AAC+. 1 GB of internal memory dedicated to music--store up to 250 songs. Join the Band--play along with favorite songs using virtual keyboard or drums. Rhythmical Beat--handset vibrates to the beat of the music. Visual Effect--display dynamic animation on screen while playing music. Pick a Song Image--select an iconic photo to be displayed as a song image for a particular song. Create and manage playlists. Multitask while playing music--hide player to browse the web, send messages, etc. Music library--organized by artist, genre, and album. Repeat, shuffle, and music only modes (RF off except Bluetooth). Dedicated side key and shortcut key for easy music access. Sync music from V CAST Music with Rhapsody to phone. FM tuner (87.5-107.9 MHz) with RBDS support and 12 station presets. Capture On-the-Go Pics and Videos with 3.2-Megapixel Camera Camera Resolutions: 2048 x 1536 (default), 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 800 x 480, 640 x 480 Pixels Zoom: up to 1.6x (depending on selected resolution) Intelligent Shot for Improved Image Quality Panorama--take up to 3 guided shots in a row for a wide area view Facial Makeover--removes facial blemishes and enhances facial features Image Editor: Zoom, Rotate, Crop, Add Frames, Stamps, Write Over Images Customizable brightness, white balance, shutter sound, color effects, and self-timer Video Resolutions: 320 x 240, 176 x 144 (default) pixels Video Recording Time: up to 30 seconds (for sending) or up to 1 hour (for saving) Video Player for WMV, MP4, 3GP, and 3G2 Formats