Audio
Consumers can activate the built-in MP3 Player by pressing and holding
the Play / Pause Key. Rewind and Fast Forward controls nearby allow listeners
to conveniently scroll through playlists without ever opening the A990.
Able to access Verizon Wireless' online VCAST Music Store, customers
can view, download, and play high-quality digital music directly on the
A990. Tracks cost $1.99 when purchased from the phone, but customers actually
receive two copies the song - one for the A990 and one for a Windows XP
PC. Buying music from the PC is cheaper at $0.99, but users will need to
convert tracks into to WMA files and transfer them to the A990 via USB cable
(sold separately).
Songs are stored on removable memory cards. Dual speaker ports along
the sides blast stereo sound for an excellent open-air experience, while
a Headset Jack (with 10-Pin Headset Converter) lets users enjoy music privately
through headphones.
 The
cost of music from VCAST can add up, so investing in a data cable is recommended
for music-hungry consumers. Buying a memory card is also ideal since there
is only enough internal memory to store one or two albums.
The A990's audio capabilities are fundamental, lacking an equalizer to
boost or dampen bass and treble frequencies. However the ability to launch
playlists and buy music online puts the A990 above most music phones in
the industry. By integrating VCAST Music, removable memory, dual stereo
speakers, and dedicated music playback keys, the A990 provides a well-rounded
music experience.
Messaging
Users can text message with ease using T9 predictive text and SMS (Short
Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia
Message Service) standards to align, format, and attach images.
As a Verizon Wireless device, the A990 includes Mobile IM access over
the Internet to the most popular instant messaging services. Through AOL
Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger, instant messages
can be sent anywhere on the go as if users were sitting in front of their
PCs. Data charges may apply.
To give their thumbs a rest, users can activate VoiceMode speech-to-text
technology. Giving a convenient way to speak text rather than typing it,
users can dictate emails, text messages, and instant messages. Unfortunately
consumers will have to pause between each word and clearly enunciate, far
from natural speech. But still offering one more option to type, users should
be pleasantly surprised by the A990's handsfree versatility.
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