iPhone vs Voyager (LG)
This is a typical law of development - the pioneers are making something sensational and the followers are doing right after the success something quite similar. But the followers aren’t stupid, they won’t make same mistakes. They will focus on the pioneers weaknesses and make a better product with more features and benefits. It seems that LG has simply followed the rule and been “impressively innovative”. This may be just a rip of, but i’d rather buy Voyager than iPhone, mainly because 3G, but at the same time i would differ from others. Personally i don’t think Voyager will be a real competitor to iPhone, because Voyager isn’t a “lifestyle” product, but it will take some customers away indeed.
Some facts about Voyager as well:
* Voyager has a large external touch screen that also slides open sideways for a full QWERTY keypad. This gives users a choice on how they access the phone’s features
* Voyager will use Verizon Wireless’ fast 3G data network to access the mobile Internet, on the other hand iPhone uses slower AT&T Edge data network
* Voyager also comes with multimedia capabilities, including an HTML Web browser; Verizon Wireless’ V Cast mobile TV, video, and music service; and the ability to play MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC files. For more storage room, the phone has a removable MicroSD memory slot that holds up to 8 Gbytes of memory
October 10th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I used to be a Verizon customer and switched to AT&T. I’ve had every service but the Helio (dumb phone service) and I got to say that Verizon has the best service. AT&T isn’t bad but it isn’t great when it comes to service. Sure they have slower internet speed and yea they don’t support 3rd party software with limited restrictions. When I heard about the Voyager and saw it myself, I was almost about to switch back to Verizon but after further research, I decided to stay with the iPhone. If you really think about it, the Voyager is just a BIGGER version of the enV with a touch screen on the front! Even the reviewer said its keyboard looks just like the enV. Also have you ever noticed that the Venus is another replacement to the failed Chocolate? Some reviewers said it is the replacement to the Chocolate (do the research and you’ll see why). The Juke is just a slim down version of the Helio phone (that quick slider Helio has). These “new” phones that are coming out are quickly and easily related to the current phones that are out in the market. The huge difference is that now they are integrating with touch screen. They pretty much slapped a touch screen on their current phone with updated interface. Going back to the Voyager, it’s NOT a smart phone which means you have to pay extra a month for the GPS, web browser, Vcast, and anything else that the regular plan doesn’t include. One major difference between the iPhone and the Voyager is that the iPhone is software upgradeable while the Voyager is left with the current version of the software with only able to download add-ons. Which brings out that the iPhone can always send an update to have the iPhone to receive 3rd party software, fix bugs, add software (current did with iTunes) and many more. One example about the upgrade compatibility iPhone has is that it can now use your purchased songs from iTunes into ringtones which no other provider offers and to get technical, they have an easy to use editing tool (in iTunes) where you can set the beginning and the end of a song. $0.99 you can make a ringtone that you’ve previously purchased from iTunes or for $1.98, you can get the whole song and make it into a ringtone! This is the major advantage of the software upgrade iPhone has and can be modified anytime they want and has done so and will be making more changes with free software updates. Who knows, they might just add games into the next upgrade! Also the iPhone has a built in 8GB HDD while the Voyager can handle up to 8GB, you’ll have to spend minimum of $100+ to get a SM card so you’re still paying just as much as the iPhone. $59.99 is the starting rate with AT&T which includes 450 anytime minutes, unlimited data, visual voice, 200 SMS messages, 5000 nights and weekends, rollover minutes and free mobile to mobile and Verizon starts with $79.99 which includes 450 anytime minutes, free mobile to mobile, BASIC voice mail, nights and weekends, but no rollover minutes, no visual voice, no 200 free SMS and the phone can’t make international calls because Verizon isn’t compatible in other countries. But like I said it’s not a smart phone so it’s $39.99 + extra to have every function to work on the Voyager. I’m on the $79.99 plan which upgrades my plans to 900 anytime, unlimited nights and weekends which at that rate Verizon will have other then the extra 450 minutes. This is what I’ve researched and it’s my opinion. I don’t hate Verizon or their Voyager but I don’t hate AT&T’s iPhone either. There are pros and cons to both service and phones and no one really will know which will come out the best yet. I wish Verizon didn’t turn down Apple’s offer which they were to first company to make a deal with the iPhone (it’s complicated and that’s another story). Some will go for looks, design, and killer app. And others will go for the service. It’s what you think is more important that will eventually make the final decision. I’ve also heard rumors from AT&T that they are building a better satellite and towers for better service and more coverage but its a rumor so don’t quote me on this. I might have been writing more favor to the iPhone cause the frustration of the ignorance of people who is even trying to compare a “cell phone” with a “smart phone” and some of them don’t even know what the iPhone is capable of and all you hear is I heard it from a friend or I think this and I think that. Let’s just give it some time and see what will happen next.
October 30th, 2007 at 4:17 am
1) Great post. It’s a teeny, tiny bit easier to read through than your one comment (what the???).
2) I added your points (and referenced them) to a site i like for the same reason that I do NOT like the comment on this site: It’s easy to read.
Check it out. Keep it up. Go VOYAGER!
http://comparati.com/890-LG-Voyager-vs-iPhone
October 31st, 2007 at 6:23 pm
One Response.
I agree with some of what you say but, there are a few slight inaccuracies that are misleading.
1. As far as Voyager not being a smartphone, your wrong. By definition a Smartphone is a hybrid of a Cellphone and a PDA.
Modern Smartphones meet several criteria.
a.An OS
b.Web Acces web 2.0
c.Email (non web email)
d.GPS or equivalent
e.Share multimedia (video clips sounds, mp3s)
f.accepts 3rd applications
g.Large touch screen
H.QWERTY keyboard
g.Standard utilities (calendar, address book, world clock, calculator, note pad, ect.)
Both phone are marketed to average people not the advance users. They have features that make them low end smartphones, but Voyager does have a QWERTY keyboard, 3rd party apps, multimedia messaging,and GPS which is more inline with a smartphone that the Iphone.
2. Iphone has no major advantage. Verizon phones can be updated. “Firmware” updates can be applied not just to the Iphone but to any phone. Verizon sells a data cable which enabled direct connections which enables to update firmware, music, ringtones, edit ringtones, and add programs (Bitpim is the 3rd part software to update the verizon phones).
Now weather or not Apple will give out updates to allow 3rd party software is another story. In fact Apple released updates to suppress third party software, Apple is currently being sued due to this action. The updated are used more as a policing device that a service that provides more for the users, very similar to Microsoft.
3. Once again I don’t know where you got your info. Verizon can make International calls. They’re are a telephone company first before anything else. I use my phone to call my family in the UK all the time.
4. Now that we have established that neither phone is a high end smartphone, Lets talk about features.
GPS
Yes you pay extra for the GPS service with Voyager however Iphone has no such feature available.
Memory.
Iphone has built in mem 8gig
Voyager has a micro SD currently the biggest micro sd card holds 8 gigs but, Voyager might hold more when the 10 and 16 gig comes out.
QWERTY keyboard
Yes Iphone has a virtual keyboard, however serious texters prefer a real keyboard.
multimedia messaging
At current you can’t send video clips or PICTURES to other users with the IPHONE. You can email it tho (takes longer).
Removable Battery
Iphone users cant swap batteries when running low. Voyager can.
stereo bluetooth
Iphone cant use stereo bluetooth
(I was shocked).
Mobile TV
Verizon has mobile TV AT&T doesn’t.
Expandable Memory
Iphone can’t add additional memory.
Internet Connectivity
Iphone can get WIFI
Voyager can get WIFI
Ipnone cant get 3G
Voyager can get 3G
Games
Verizon Voyager has many games to choose.
Iphone is extremely limited.
MODS
Verizon phones can be modified/hacked for customization
Iphone can be modified or hacked only with ver 1.1.1. all the other version updates have been made to brick/disable the device if you have any modification to it. Once you phone has been bricked your SOL (forced to buy a new IPHONE or switch to verizon , :)).
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
I really don’t think all that many iPhone users will make the switch to voyager. People wanted the iPhone because it was their iPod with a phone built into it. Voyager is just another smartphone like treo or blackberry and doesn’t really give those diehard iPod fans what they’re looking for although iPhone still has many flaws considering it’s only a generation one apple product.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
“Quote: Tarren Way Says: I really don’t think all that many iPhone users will make the switch to voyager.”
I agree, a better product doesn’t mean that people will switch from their old phone. I think that die-hard Iphone users will stick with their phone and Verizon will bring in new users, old users, and some people that switched to get a iphone but expected more. I have an Iphone through my job buy I’m getting the Voyager for my personal phone.
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:27 pm
well as far as the voyager stands it does not have wifi capabilities as printed above and that’s the only thing killing me but other than that the phone is great i love it
December 19th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I have had both phones. I much MUCH prefer the VOYAGER.
Iphone is too limited in the end.
Also, much slower.
Go Voyager!
February 10th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
how do i get wifi on the voyager cell phone
August 31st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I do not believe this
December 24th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Good article, I also like a voyager, its camera, picture quality, memory, games, sms section all are best.