Entertainment

When incoming calls ring, blue lights on the front panel illuminate. Able to flash to predetermined settings (Pulse, Energize, Mania, and Beats), consumers can set the V325 to alert them visually in addition to musically.

The V325 also features basic applications such as Alarm Clock, Calculator, Calendar, Notepad, and World Clock. Access to Hotmail, AOL, and Yahoo! email accounts is also possible through Verizon Wireless' Internet service.

Not limited to preinstalled software, the V325 is built on BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) technology. Allowing customers to download and install Java-based programs, users can get a wide range of general applications and 80s style console games. Transferable from a PC or through the web, V325 users may find it more convenient to purchase them through Verizon Wireless' Get It Now service due to the lack of connectivity features.

But the main draw of the V325 is its integration with Verizon Wireless' new VZ Navigator service. Offering real-time GPS (Global Positioning System) service to locate and direct users to their destinations, the V325 provides Location Based Services (LBS) options including maps and turn-by-turn navigation with written and audible voice directions. Able to locate any address in the U.S., lost customers can even find nearly landmarks, gas stations, banks, ATMs, and more - over fourteen million points nationwide.

Accessible after a subscription fee, extensive road warriors can get VZ Navigator for $9.99 for unlimited monthly access, or the occasional traveler can use it for $2.99 per day.

Internet

Using the V325's Openwave web browser with Verizon Wireless' optional Mobile Web package (costing $5 per month), Verizon Wireless customers can read and send emails, chat on Mobile IM, view and trade stocks, access flight information, and even get movie listings on the way to the theater.

Unfortunately, unable to utilize Verizon Wireless' new 3G EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) service, the V325 was not built for video streaming, as most devices that use it are. Designed instead to browse mostly text and access VZ Navigator, the V325 is based on the older cdma2000 1xRTT (1x radio transmission technology) service, for transfer rates of up to 144 kbps.

Storage

Containing an abundant 32 MB of internal memory, more than enough room is available for photos, ringtones, and applications and games. With storage space dynamically shared among all multimedia and productivity tools, users should find it difficult to use up all the space.

< Prev Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2008 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.