LG DARE: Go ahead I “Dare” ya

Wed, Jul 23, 2008

The new LG Dare cellphone is out and its getting alot of looks. Can’t tell if those looks are turning into purchases just yet. LG is continuing to try and differentiate itself from the iPhone and to some extent its working. The LG Dare looks stylish, feels comfortable in your hand and pocket, and is touch screen; BUT after you get past the beauty and start to use it, you find the software interface leaves much to be desired. In some areas it shines like its tactile feedback which is great while typing (this is becoming pretty standard on all LG touch phones) and that’s a good thing because on the LG at least the touch-screen is finger-nail sensitive which will make alot of female techies (with nails) happy. Try typing on an iPhone with your nails, it won’t work and for some women it’s a deal breaker. The LG does have a very bright quality screen; it also offers video recording and a nice 3.2 megapixel camera with a flash (great for night time “in Da Club” photos). On the data connectivity side, it uses EV-DO something that you won’t hear me complain about at all. And unlike the iPhone it has expandable memory (nice-touch).

For my entrepreneurs and business users out there beware email is lacking and wanting to view your favorite website won’t happen either - the LG Dare browser does not have the “real-deal” HTML support. Besides don’t you all want to really carry the “Usher” phone? Oh, haven’t you seen “10 Celebs and their cells“? Well, yes Usher is sporting the Sony Ericsson W350. What the…? Come ‘on Usher, really of all phones you went with the one that’s marketed as a “walkman phone” - dude step your game up or at least your asking price

Mario’s Bottom Line: HOLD, don’t buy yet! While all my tests have concluded that Verizon wireless does have the best service, that doesn’t mean the best phones. I don’t think this phone is ready for the business or smartphone user just yet. But I do like where LG is going and to me this is much better than the LG Voyager so that’s definitely progress. For now, if you are on Verizon stay with a Bberry.

Tags: celebrity cell phones, lg dare, sony ericsson w350, ushers cell phone, verizon wireless

This post was written by:

Mario Armstrong - who has written 15 posts on Black Web 2.0.

Mario delivers national weekly television segments for Comcast’s “Your Morning” and “Money Matters” and on WBAL-TV, a top ranked local NBC affiliate. He is a technology correspondent for National Public Radio heard on NPR’s Morning Edition and News and Notes programs. Armstrong’s oeuvre is rounded out with “Mario Armstrong’s Digital Spin” on XM radio, which he owns and distributes, and two regional technology talk shows named “The Digital Café” and “The Digital Spin”. Mario’s passion is to bridge the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots. To that end, Mario has delved into the world of social entrepreneurship by touring the nation and delivering an interactive showcase of technology and fun for youth called “Mario Armstrong’s Dream, Create, Go!.”™ The goal of this project is to morph kids from passive users of cell phones and laptops into the next generation of digital scientists and activists.

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