With its groundbreaking Fastap keypad, the LG AX490 promises to change the way you text. We unleashed our fingers on the dual-level keypad; find out if this sleek, jet-black clamshell made for SMSing nirvana.
Review summary of the LG AX490:
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 We'll certainly give LG and partner Digit Wireless points for trying something different with the AX490's first-in-the-U.S. Fastap keypad. While we're impressed with the dual-level design, those who pride themselves in their lightening-fast texting might find the Fastap keypad a bit slower than a 10-button keypad with predictive-text software; that said, practice makes perfect, and we definitely had an easier time keying in proper names. Otherwise, the AX490 makes for a solid clamshell, complete with Bluetooth, voice commands, and instant messaging. Release: August 2006. Price: $60.
Pros: Full alphanumeric Fastap keypad speeds entry of proper names; speaker-independent voice recognition; instant messaging; Bluetooth
Cons: Those used to 10-button keypads for texting might find the Fastap keypad a bit slower; so-so use of screen area for messaging; no conference calling
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Full LG AX490 Review:
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Fastap keypad
So let's cut to the chase -- how is this dual-level keypad we've been hearing so much about? Our reaction was decidedly mixed. When you're entering contacts, typing proper names or tapping pet phrases that haven't made Webster's, it was a relief to type without pressing the same key repeatedly or plowing through wrong guesses from predictive text software. But if you're just knocking out a regular text message, your thumb must travel a relatively long distance from, say, the A to the T, which means that experts texters used to 10-button keypads might regret making the switch. Still, we suspect we'd get the hang of Fastap with enough practice.
Messaging - Very good
You get a standard SMS/MMS messaging client on the AX490; composing new messages was a relatively simple process, as was sending photos from the phone's built-in VGA camera via MMS. We wish the internal LCD had been utilized a bit better -- as it stands, you can only cram about 90 characters out of a possible 160 onto the 262,000-color screen, which is a bit skimpy. That said, you get the bonus of a solid instant-messaging client that's compatible with AOL and Yahoo IM services.
Calling - Very good
The AX490's calling quality was pretty solid: callers sounded about as loud and clear as you could expect from a cell phone, although we noticed a slight performance hit over our Bluetooth headset (not unusual). In addition to MP3 ringtones, you also get a speakerphone and speaker-independent voice recognition for voice calling; unfortunately, though, there's no conference calling.
You can store up to 500 contacts in the AX490's address book, which supports while-typing searching for speedy contact lookup. Entering our peeps into the address book with the Fastap keypad was tricky at first, but ultimately a bit easier when it came to proper names.
Price and availability
The AX490 is slated to arrive August 3 through Alltel for $60 with a two-year service agreement.
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