LG Dare Review

Thursday, August 21, 2008The LG Dare is nice as a feature phone, but it has a lot of room for improvement. I really hope they update the phone's software early and often. Mine ticks while on a call, definitely annoying. People also occasionally tell me there's an echo on the other end of the phone. The camera is great, but the music player is pretty crappy (doesn't handle podcasts well at all), and the browser is ok, but it's slow and doesn't touch iPhone in terms of speed, rendering, or compatibility with most websites. Vcast videos are nice. Good luck loading your own movies on the phone, however. Dummy calendar, email support is there, but it's totally pathetic, clumsy, slow and forget about attachments whatsoever.

Monday, August 18, 2008The Dare is a great phone! I have it for a week and love it!! I learned alot by going to http://lg-dare.com it gave me alot of info on stuff i didnt know!

Tuesday, August 05, 2008Does the LG Dare come with a stylus?

Sunday, August 03, 2008I CANT DECIDE Dare or Voyager ?? make a video comparing those two phones!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008Hey everyone. I just purchased the lg dare today and i love it. one thing though, when im on the phone i can hear a small ticking noise in the back round..almost like the ticking on a clock. i am just wondering is this happening to everyone that owns the dare?

Sunday, July 27, 2008This phone is really good. The only problem is that I'm too eager for the future. For instance, I would like this phone to support 16gb memory for all my music. How long will it take for this to be real??

Saturday, July 26, 2008Allright, so I have had the LG Dare for about a week now. I haven't yet received the 8gb microSD card that I purchased, so I cannot comment on the music player functionality (no music has been added). This is my first review, so please bear with me because I am an honest, hopefully non-partial reviewer. I had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the iPhone 3G model since it had been announced, but the base monthly plan for that phone is $70.00. The Dare could be had for $40.00 base, albeit without internet ($15.00 additional), so I decided to check it out. Key features that were crucial to me are the mp3 player, UI, screen display and ease of use, and size. At first I valued the iPhone's heat sensitive display over the LG Dare, and to a point I still do. However, at this point I play UI and touch displays of both phones at about even. The LG Dare allows for use of a stylus, and for everyone (including all of these reviewing websites) bashing the handwriting recognition system implemented on this phone doesn't yet realize the potency of this feature. With the stylus from a Nintendo DS, which I believe can be purchased separately, I was able to use the touch screen as I would a piece of paper to write my text messages. I haven't had any problems with pressing the right buttons or responsiveness with a stylus. I have mispressed buttons on a few occasions without one, but I honestly cannot attribute it to a faulty screen. The fact is (and this is true even of the iPhone), that with touch screens of relatively small size (3" or less, which includes probably all phones at this point), you will have that issue. The pad of your finger makes it difficult. To my experience, the screen has been as accurate as I could have possibly hoped. One thing to also mention, is that some may prefer the heat-sensitive approach of the iPhone. By hand, I would place the iPhone higher than the Dare in screen functionality. With the camera, I have taken pictures but haven't yet printed them so I cannot truthfully comment on picture quality. For those who place camera quality as a major priority, I apologize. The pictures look good on the screen, but I don't plan on taking quality photos with this phone even though that is one of its major features. I have my Canon Powershot for that. In an ideal world, I would have the camera quality of a Canon + iPod mp3 player + slim, feature-filled phone all in one device, but that isn't possible. One cool feature is that with text messages, you can have the message relayed to you by voice in that weird, computer-like tone. It is a novelty, but nonetheless a fun one. You can activate auto-lock on the phone (lockiing it after the backlight display turns off) or disengage it, whichever you prefer. There are many, many changes that you can make to the phones display and overall feel, like font change, font size, screen color, animated wallpaper, layout, analog/digital clock, and more that I can't think of at the moment. Favorites link on the home display where you can put up to 9 (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong) contacts with photo displays. Pretty cool feature in my opinion. Went to Verizon earlier today and they don't have screen protectors in stores just yet. Representative said that they would become available probably by next month. (7/26/08). Clear, plastic cases are available however. One complaint that I have is that they need to have an attachment for a stylus! With a touch-sensitive phone you need to have the option of using a stylus, but there is nowhere on the phone where you can attach one. You CAN attach a lanyard, and ... glue the stylus on (?!?) but... yeah. Phone size is smaller than the iPhone of course, but really it is not all that slim. I had a Motorala E815 model from over 2 years ago (not in production anymore), and while not thinner, the overall phone size is comparably similar. The height and width of my previous, ancient phone was much smaller. That's to be expected with these touch screen models because of the display. It fits well in the pocket. Personally, it will take some getting used to in talking with this phone just because it is so thin that I can't cradle it between my shoulder and ear. Not a big deal, though. The phone's design is sick, you can't really ask for more. Good rubber backing material prevents slippage, I've read that this phone is a huge iPhone knockoff and I can't exactly disagree with that, but what really is the problem in that? As a Verizon customer who considered switching to ATT for the iPhone, I want the features and things that the iPhone did right without paying the ridiculous monthly fee; hence, the Dare. Mind you, if you want unlimited internet access (VCast) and text messages the price will increase substantially. Still, you will be paying about $15 less a month for the same minutes and same features, since text messages cost extra for both phones. You do get a Flash-enabled browser, great Youtube access, ease of use during browsing, etc with the iPhone, so that would be a matter of personal preference. For me, I am never too far away from a computer with cable internet, so I would much rather check my e-mail and other tasks with a computer. Internet browsing on phones is still too difficult and slow for me for me to seriously consider using internet on my phone extensively. I can complete the same tasks on a computer in 15 seconds that would require at least 2 minutes on a phone. Just my two cents, feel free to agree or disagree. I love the phone, and I have no regrets about purchasing it. I have some complaints that were mentioned above, but none of them seriously warrant a trip back to the store for a refund. Oh, the first Dare I purchased (from verizonwireless.com) had an issue. The phone powered off a few times within the first week, so I took it back today and exchanged it for a brand new one. I had all the contacts and pictures transferred, so I am hoping the new one doesn't have the same problem! I am not worried about it at all because they have a 30-day warranty for replacement of any defective phones. Please let me know if you have any questions, I can answer all of them the best I can. Thanks for reading!

Thursday, July 24, 2008i probably am going to get the dare in september but im not sure if i rather get the voyager. one thing i really like is the camera! im into photography so yeah having a 3.2 megapixle camera on my cell would be nice, but then again i also texting alot which is the kinda the only reason im still considering the voyager... so yeah idk which i should choose but i think ill end up with the dare

Tuesday, July 22, 2008I just got my Dare today. It is totally awesome. I recommend it highly.

Monday, July 21, 2008HEY! I'm really having a hard time choosing a phone...one day it's between the LG Dare or the LG Voyager. Noah could you please make a comparison video of the LG Dare & the LG Voyager!!!!!!! i would really appreciate it & it would help out alot!

Friday, July 18, 2008I have the Voyager. Like the QWERTY. Love the stereo speakers. HATE the bugs and glitches of the Voyager. Gonna swap it for the Dare. Played with the QWERTY on the Dare worked ok for me. Looking forward to getting the Dare.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008the cam looks great ... i totally want it!

Monday, July 14, 2008The voyager is a nice phone, but u have to have it connected to the internet to work. my friend has it and we love to watch TV on it, but it is really thick and heavy compared to this phone. i dont even use v cast so i am gonna go with this phone.

Monday, July 14, 2008I hope some apps come out, like a dictionary for texting

Sunday, July 13, 2008i am between the dare and voyager. i like the qwerty on the voyager, but i know that i can get used to the one on the dare. my big thing is the battery life. how is it on the dare?

Friday, July 11, 2008LG Dare or LG Vu

Thursday, July 10, 20081. get the dare, the voyager is crap compared to it 2. just hit the letters on top of the contact list, that'll take you to the section of the letter in your contacts

Thursday, July 10, 2008I cant decide between the LG Dare and the LG Voyager??? Which one should I get and why?

Thursday, July 10, 2008Just got the dare 2 days ago. Like a lot of features but DONT like the texting. The keyboard is small and cumbersome, forget driving and texting, But the thing which really drives me nuts is the contanct list. You have to flick the screen and I cant get it to go the person I want. I generally end up on someone else and then call them too! I have put my most called friends on a favorite list now, but does anyone have tips on how to navigate and use the touchscreen more effectively??

Thursday, July 10, 2008people say that the greatest feature on this phone is the camera (3.2mp w/ flash) but i dont use the camera on mine that much (i have an 8.1 mp d. camera why would i use the phones one?) but this is a great phone i like the real music play i used it instead of my ipod and this is the fastest speed on the internet that verizon offers (maybe even better than a smart phone). this is still the best phone out right now.