Messaging

Advanced features like message sorting, auto text readout and a 300 message inbox capacity make the enV2 a sound choice for SMS addicts.

Text messages and preset messages can be created with up to 160 characters and sent to as many as 10 recipients at once. (Text messages drafted from the exterior keypad can only be sent to one recipient at a time.) You can save drafts automatically, leave callback numbers, add graphics, animations, sounds, signatures, name cards and one of 14 "quick text" preset messages like "Thanks," "Wanna meet up?" and "You're the best!"

Other types of messaging include basic Web-based email and instant messaging with AOL Instant Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! messenger.

Entertainment

Verizon's answer to mobile entertainment is its VCAST service for streaming videos and music. For $15 a month, 3G broadband data service enables you to download on-demand news and entertainment to your handset at prompt speeds of about 300Kbps to 500Kbps. VCAST also offers downloadable games (The enV2 doesn't come with any), display themes, ringtones and callback tones.

VCAST offers a huge array of short, entertaining videos - little nuggets of amusement meant to be watched while riding the train or waiting at the airport. One- to five-minute video clips from VCAST cover a broad range of tastes including content from CNN mobile, ABC News Now, FOX Sports, Adult Swim, TMZ.com, Comedy Central, and even a DC Comics channel exclusive to Verizon.

Internet

Access to the Verizon's mobile Web 2.0 comes with ease thanks to the enV2's high-speed EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) connection that links users to email, news and instant messaging (Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger and Windows Live Messenger) wherever they go. The enV2 isn't a smart phone (browsing Web sites that aren't formatted for mobile devices can seem a bit clumsy and frustrating) but if you're just in need of the basics - weather, news headlines and sport scores - then Verizon's version does the trick.

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