Key features:
· 3 inch touch screen with tactile feedback
· 3.2 megapixel camera/camcorder
· V Cast music
· sync music from computer
· 3.5mm headphone jack (YESSS!)
· microSD port (up to 8GB)
· Bluetooth capabilities
· text/picture/video messaging
· mobile IM
· voice mail
· full HTML browsing with touch navigation
· media (download) center (games, ringtones, apps)
· AND MUCH MORE
Touch Screen
I have owned the Dare for about two months now and have had no problems with the touch screen. This was my first touch screen phone and was extremely easy to get used to. I’ll say, I’ve used iPhones and iPod Touches, and the apple touch screen is superior to pretty much any other device. However, LG definitely means business with the Dare. At first start-up the phone needs to be calibrated, but this is a one-time thing (that can be redone if you feel the need). After the initial calibration the touch screen works like a charm. There have been a few times when I have pressed and nothing has happened, but after locking and unlocking the phone it works fine. The scrolling isn’t as much of a natural “flick” as with the iPhone, but it works with some practice. I have found that although it takes some used to, the virtual QWERTY keyboard works fairly good too. Overall, the touch function, which is obviously the most prominent and important feature, is wonderful to work with.
Camera
Another remarkable feature of the LG Dare is the 3.2 megapixel camera. My, what LG does with 3.2 megapixels! I have used phones with 5.0 megapixel cameras and I am not exaggerating when I say that the Dare totally murders them. The Dare takes beautiful pictures and fairly good quality video. While no phone’s camera is as good as a stand-alone digital camera (yet), the LG Dare has in my opinion, one of the best cell phone cameras.
Music
I have never been one to use the music player on my cell phone. I have always been attached to my iPod. My iPod is however, in its final days. It’s pretty old, and I was considering getting a new one, but they do cost a lot. When I purchased the LG Dare I knew it had a music player but thought it would be crap. In short, I was wrong. While it in no way comes close to the iPod Touch or even iPod for that matter, it is a great little player itself. It has a similar view to that of Coverflow. Although it is pretty clearly a copy, it is a nice feature. One downside though is that this Coverflow-like view can only be accessed when a song is playing (or paused) and not just when browsing through your library. To make up for the lack of originality and functionality with the music player, you can easily have music playing in the background when doing simple tasks such as texting or editing contacts. But of course there are flaws with that too; when you use the camera or an app such as Mobile IM the music pauses. No product is made without flaws, but I do wish they would’ve fixed those problems.
Overview
Overall, I would say the LG Dare is a great phone. If you have Verizon and want a phone that compares to the iPhone, while it’s not a clone, the Dare is a great substitute. With a full touch screen, an amazing camera/camcorder, full HTML web browsing, a music player and even downloadable apps, LG has done it. I would definitely recommend checking out the LG Dare at your local Verizon Wireless dealer!
David Paez