Wow. Yesterday we saw a leaked Verizon ad showing that the LG Vortex would be "coming soon," and they weren't kidding. Today Verizon and LG teamed up to announce the Vortex, an "accessible" Android phone that will be available on November 18th for $79.99 with a two-year contract and $100 mail-in rebate. So much for that free on-contract pricing, eh? Specs for the Vortex include 3.2-inch, 320x240 display; 600MHz processor; 3.2 megapixel camera; and Android 2.2. You can check out the full press release below.
While the Vortex looks like a capable little device, I'm kind of disappointed with the price that Verizon settled on. I'm not so sure that charging nearly $100 for a device with a small, low-res screen and entry-level specs is a great move, especially when Verizon also sells the CITRUS for only $50 and T-Mobile is offering the Comet for free on-contract. Heck, the Optimus T, which is comparable to the Vortex, is free on T-Mobile, too. At the $80 price point, I just can't see Big Red moving a ton of Vortex stock, which is a shame considering that it's such a nice, little, entry-level phone. Here's to hoping we'll quickly see the price knocked down to free.
Verizon Wireless And LG Mobile Phones Create A Whirlwind Of Possibilities With The LG Vortex
LG Vortex, An Accessible Smartphone with Simple Solutions
BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and SAN DIEGO, CA — Verizon Wireless and LG Mobile Phones today announced the LG Vortex™ will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com on Nov. 18. The LG Vortex empowers first-time smartphone users to join and explore the growing Android world with 3G connectivity over the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless 3G network. With its sleek design, LG Vortex gives consumers easy-to-use access to a variety of applications that make life simple and keep customers at the center of their social universe.
Colors: Black and Violet
Key features:
Powered by Android 2.2 – Offers customers support for Google Mobile Services, including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk, Google Voice and access to Android Market™
Preloaded with Bing Search and Bing Maps
3.2” touchscreen with tactile feedback for fast and accurate touch vibration response
Wi-Fi Connectivity
3G Mobile HotSpot capable
Virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology installed
Bluetooth® 2.1 capabilities with support for Bluetooth Profiles Supported: Headset, Hands-Free, Dial-Up Networking, Object Push, Advanced Audio Distribution (stereo), Audio/Video Remote Control, Phone Book Access, and File Transfer
microSD™ card slot with expandable memory up to 32 GB
Additional features:
Customizable home screens with shortcuts to text messages, e-mail, apps, favorite social networking sites and widgets
Customizable to 5 or 7 home screens
Proximity sensor instantly locks touchscreen while talking on the phone
Pre-installed LG Apps, including My Status with Twitter™ for LG and Facebook® for LG Visual Voice Mail capable
Skype mobile™ capable
Android Market – Choose from thousands of downloadable apps
Full suite of messaging options – Text, picture, video and voice messaging; corporate and personal e-mail accounts supported
VZ Navigator® capabilities – Access for customers to receive audible turn-by-turn directions to millions of points of interest and share the directions with others
3.2-megapixel autofocus camera and camcorder with flash that includes:
Five different camera resolutions and three different video resolutions
Macro Mode for detailed, up close pictures
Image editor with zoom, rotate, resize, crop, added frames and stamps
Customize brightness, white balance, shutter sounds, color effects and use self-timer
Optimize video quality with normal, fine or super camcorder settings
Video recording time up to 16 GB
Pricing and availability:
The LG Vortex will be $79.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
LG Vortex customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 monthly access. Email and Web for Smartphone plans start at $15 monthly access for 150 MB. Customers can track their data usage by downloading the My Verizon app available on Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon accounts online at www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.
