Chovy’s Blog

The LG VX8700 is a slick looking phone without a lot of frills, and misses the mark in respect to usability.

Pros

1. Looks cool…low profile
2. Voice dialing
3. Not a lot of “frills”
4. 1.3 MP Camera
5. Video
6. 1000 contacts in the addressbook

Cons

1. Non-standard plug for data and headphones. The phone comes with an adapter to fit a standard headphone jack, but is rather bulky and completely useless in the event you left it in another car.
2. Heavier and wider than the Motorola RAZR v3
3. Screen is not as wide as the RAZR, but does make the phone a bit skinnier
4. The data interface is not USB, as is the case with most modern phones. This is yet another accessory you must by, and carry with the phone at all times. I ordered a USB cable that plugs into the non-standard plug on the phone….do not know yet if it will charge the phone from the cable->laptop as my old PDA phone did.
5. No games are included. You must buy a game to play one. My old LG phone had 2 or 3 games installed by default, as does the RAZR.
6. Usability lacks on the LG VX8700. There are no bumps to indicate which key you are on, and the arrows are difficult to use, even when looking at the phone. This is a hinderence when driving, as I like to be able to hit keys without taking my eyes off the road.
7. The RAZR has a bump on the “5″ key, and the arrow keys have some relief to them to ensure your finger is on the key without having to look.

Here are the manuals for the Motorola RAZR v3 and the LG VX8700.

Only one volume control setting for the entire phone. There is no way to make the ringer volume “low”, and the call volume “high”.

Just a quick word — if anyone out there wants to watch some humorous fantasy, pick up “The Dresden Files” season one.

Also there is word on the net that it may not be returning on SCIFI channel for a second season.

Should you be compelled enough, please write a letter to the executives in hopes of bringing “The Dresden Files” back on the air.

The addresses can be found at Dresden City.

It took me about 12 minutes to type 6 letters and address the envelopes. Snail mail works best in these situations.

Head on over to streetviewr.com and browse a variety of interesting images of public (and private) life as captured by the Google camera van.

Google has released “Street View” for 5 U.S. metropolitan cities: San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver, Miami, and New York.

“Street View” gives a Google Maps user the ability to actually walk down a street and turn around virtually in a snapshot of time.

I’ve had several discussion with co-workers and family about the public display of street level photography pertaining to Google’s “Street View” on their maps interface. Most people I’ve talked with do not like the idea at first, especially when you can zoom in, turn around, and look inside someone’s window or car.

My position is relatively benign. I figure the data is out there, via satellite or security cameras, and who knows who else is photographing people on the street…so why not make it publicly available?

If the laws change, then where is the line drawn? Certainly people should still have the right to take pictures and photography in public places.