The first U.S. handset with video calling is available on AT&T, but the service has yet to go live.
The LG CU500v is the first phone on a U.S network to feature video calling, albeit one-way "video sharing" calls. While the clamshell is available from AT&T, company reps told us that video sharing won't be available until the summer. However, the carrier does list "Video Share Calling" on the flip phone's feature set, making us wonder why they released the phone without the service. Pricing for the upcoming video sharing service has yet to be determined.
In order to use video sharing, both callers must have an LG CU500v or other AT&T video sharing phone, though no other models supporting the feature have been announced. Users of unlocked world phones that support video calls, such as the Nokia N95 or Sony Ericsson W880i, won't be able to use AT&T's video sharing service.
The quad-band CU500v packs in the same features as the original LG CU500, including support for HSDPA, stereo Bluetooth, access to Cingular Video, a media player, instant messaging and a 1.3-megapixel rotating camera. The CU500v also maintains the same appearance of its predecessor with a simple black shell and dedicated media controls beneath the external display.
The LG CU500v is available immediately from AT&T and retails for $30, which is inexplicably $20 less than the CU500.
|
 |
 |
|
 |
| |
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
» Top 15
|
|
|
» Search (New!)
Search by cell phone features
|
|
|
» Manual comparison (New!)
Select up to 4 cell phones side-by-side
|
|
|
» By release
May 2008, June 2008, Q3 2008
|
|
|
» Top 15 by carrier
Unlocked, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Helio, Alltel
|
|
|
|
» Top 15 by user type
Average Joe, Business users, Calling addicts, Fashion conscious users, Globetrotters, High-res addicts, Internet addicts, Multimedia enthusiasts, Music aficionados, Outdoor enthusiasts, TV addicts, Video lovers, More...
|
|
|
» Top 15 by brand
Apple, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia,
BlackBerry, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Other
|
|
|
» Top 15 by platform
Palm OS, Symbian S60, Symbian UIQ, Windows Mobile
|
|
|
|
» Top 15 by cell phone type
Business smartphones, Multimedia smartphones
Consumer QWERTY phones, Multimedia phones
Concept phones
|
|
|
|