LG enV Review - Introduction / Design

Introduction

With the rise in importance of text messaging and mobile email access, the integration of a full, QWERTY keyboard into cell phones has become an valued feature in phone technology. Until recently, mobile phone users desiring such a keyboard have relied on T-Mobile Sidekick / Hiptop for their on-the-go typing needs. The LG enV brings Verizon into this market and offers new competition for the old standard. In addition to its keyboard and accompanying large internal screen, the enV also offers a 2.0-megapixel digital camera, as well as standard phone service.
As a physically advanced phone, the enV combines three devices—a phone, camera, and internal "laptop-esque" setup, featuring keyboard and screen. Important to note is that the enV is not a smartphone, like a Blackberry, but the internal setup makes for easy typing, internet navigation, and media viewing. The phone's camera, operating horizontally on the "back" of the phone, also gives the feel of a standalone device. The "front" of the enV features a trim, block-style phone, including a full-color front screen. Despite this complexity of hardware, the phone remains remarkable light, small, and streamlined.

In addition to its physical infrastructure, the enV offers the standard high-end software capabilities, including MP3 and video download and playback, enhanced by the large internal screen and speakers. Users may choose to send video and picture messages in addition to simple text. Various other application downloads, including BREW games and IM clients, are available to expand the phone's organizational and entertainment options. Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0 browser lets users surf the internet while out and about. Verizon's Navigator feature offers detailed driving directions on demand. The phone supports a conveniently larger-than-average number of Bluetooth profiles, allowing the phone to connect to several peripheral devices, including a printer or speakers in addition to standards like headsets and handsfree car kits.

The enV's revolutionary new design, featuring several electronic devices in one small package, is backed up by high-end features, such as MP3 / video playback and support of a variety of Bluetooth profiles. The only downside - most of the high end features (including games, videos, and internet) require extra fees.
Design

The design of the enV reflects its multiple-technology package. Closed, the unit looks like a compact block phone, complete with full-color screen and standard dialing / navigation keys. Turned around, the closed phone becomes a stand-alone horizontal digital camera, with the phone screen doubling as camera screen. The phone opens up along the long edge in a sideways-clamshell fashion to reveal a full keyboard and a large screen in a format resembling a tiny laptop computer.