Messaging

SMS text messages can be sent with up to 1,000 characters to 10 recipients at a time. Save time by choosing from a list of 12 preset messages ranging from a simple "Let's meet" to a more forward "Would you like to join me for a date tonight?" Have something important to say? Mark messages as urgent to let contacts know what's important. The Krave also allows users to create 20-second video and pic-voice messages to help users send a strong statement.

Turn the phone sideways to activate the touch QWERTY keyboard, or keep the alphanumeric dial pad to text in portrait mode. Both formats utilize Motorola's iTAP predictive text program and give tactile feedback and are comfortable for one-handed texting.

The Krave comes with email configurations for Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, AOL, AIM, Verizon.net and mobile POP3 email services for Yahoo! Mail, Windows Live, Gmail and AOL mail. Instant messaging on the Krave is set for AIM, Windows Live and Yahoo! Messenger.

There are some flaws with the Krave's QWERTY keyboard. One minor difference we found was that it didn't use automatic first-letter caps. Hit the shift key once for caps and remember to hit it a second time to go back to lowercase type. The second hitch was that the Krave's transparent touch cover makes it physically impossible (or at least very difficult) for double thumb typing like on most other handsets with QWERTY.

Entertainment

Verizon VCAST Mobile TV and Music lets consumers to take their calls and entertainment with them wherever they go. With the touch cover down, they can access menu links for videos or music. Once users have made their selection, turn the phone horizontally for a 240 x 320 px wide-screen view of favorite shows or use a finger to swipe through album covers in queue.

Starting at a subscription fee of $13 per month, VCAST Mobile TV offers live television programming straight to the phone from networks including CNBC, CBS, Comedy Central, ESPN, Comedy Central and MTV. This is television that's sure to add enjoyment to midday coffee breaks and idle moments.

If users don't have enough music already, Verizon downloads via Rhapsody are $1.99 for each song or $14.99 for unlimited access. On a PC, they can browse and purchase tunes from the VCAST Music online store via Windows Media Player 10. Then manage their music library, create playlists and sync songs to the phone.

Verizon VCAST also offers 3G streaming video, downloadable games, display themes, ringtones and more at prompt download speeds of about 500 kbps to 800 kbps.

< Prev Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2012 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.