LG VX8500 Chocolate Review

Messaging:

The Chocolate is not only capable of sending and receiving text messages, but also pictures and video.  Text messages are created by using T9 input, but since the keys are small and slippery, we made several T9 errors that had to be corrected.  Sending a picture or video message works in the same way as a text message except for the fact that you can attach a picture or video from either the phone's internal memory or from the MicroSD card.  Picture and video messages can be sent to other capable Verizon phones or to any E-Mail address. 
The Chocolate also comes with a Mobile Instant Messaging application that works with AIM, MSN, and Yahoo.  We were able to use it with AOL IM (AIM) without any problems.  It woks in a similar fashion as sending a text message, except it goes to people you select on your Buddy List.  When they send you a message, it will be displayed on the phone's screen.

Connectivity:

Bluetooth has become an everyday tool for cell phones and it is nice to see that it is built into the Chocolate, even though Verizon has limited the Bluetooth functionality.  The Chocolate only supports Wireless Headset, Handsfree, Stereo Audio (A2DP), Serial Port, and Dial up Networking.  Not all OBEX profiles are supported.  We feel that Verizon should not block any Bluetooth profiles in their phones.
For a complete list of BT Profiles, please see the Verizon Bluetooth web page: http://support.vzw.com/pdf/BT_Chart_Handsets.pdf
When using the Chocolate with a Bluetooth earpiece, it will integrate with the Voice Command feature to allow voice dialing.  Another nice feature is using a Bluetooth Stereo A2DP headset, which will allow you to listen wirelessly to MP3 audio files using the Music Player.  The Chocolate supports Bluetooth version 1.1 and allows up to 20 pairings, despite phones from other carriers now use Bluetooth version 2.0.



Internet:

The Chocolate has a standard WAP 2.0 browser that will allow you access to Verizon's Mobile Web site where there is a lot of useful information (News, Weather, E-Mail, Sports, Entertainment, Shopping, and Account Services).  WAP sites load fast thanks to Verizon's EVDO coverage, but in a non-EVDO area the phone will use the slower 1x network.  The Verizon Mobile Web page will load in 5 seconds when using EVDO.  Normal HTTP sites will take longer depending on content.  Overall, the Chocolate's WAP browser is easy to use and works well, despite its limited capability with HTTP sites.  Mobile Web is available for $5 a month or is included in the $15/month V Cast service.



Music can be downloaded from Verizon's V Cast Music Store.  You can select “What's New” and “What's Hot”, or browse by Genre, Artist, Album, and Song.  The easiest way to find what you are looking for is to use the Search feature.  You can listen to a free 20 second preview of each song before purchasing it at a cost $1.99 to download.  The song can be saved to the phone's internal memory or to the MicroSD card.  A 5MB song only took 40 seconds to download when in an EVDO area