If there’s something that’s going to take over the market next year, it’s the invention and use of the touchscreen as a UI. And, a company that like to use it quite a bit are LG. More specifically, with their new LG Pop (GD510) mobile phone. The phone is sleek, it looks sexy and fits in the palm of your hand — even if you’re a lady with small hands. So, is this affordable phone going to take off and do well next year?
The screen is a nifty 3-incher, making it the world’s smallest touchscreen phone. It weighs next to nothing, even with the battery inside it, and although it’s on the bottom range of LG’s touchscreen phones, if you’re after something fairly easy to use and can’t afford an iPhone, then this may be for you. The UI is probably the most simple of the touchscreen UIs out there, although a little slow at times. You really do have to force your finger on the screen to make it know you’ve pressed a button.
It has all the usual features you’d expect for a phone on the market nowadays; 3.2 megapixel camera, web-browsing capabilities, an FM radio, a memory card slot, video recorder – and an extra special fun feature for those concerned about the environment; a solar panel on the back of the handset, great for giving a boost to your battery during the day!
I have to admit, I wouldn’t personally use this phone. But, I only say that because (and without sounding too arrogant) I consider myself to be a very competent and quick phone user. The UI on this phone is designed for someone who’d like some fancy features in their new phone, but hasn’t been using advanced phones for years. It’s the sort of present you get for your mum or dad — not too expensive, does more than what your usual fancy phone does, but a little bit slower. Which is perfect for the oldies as it usually takes them a little longer to figure out this ‘technology malarkey’ (apologies to those who have parents who are quick off the bat, I realise I am generalising).
Texting can be a little arduous if you’re used to tapping away with auto-completes (or the T9), as can taking pictures as there’s no flash. The internal memory is 48MB and you can upgrade this to a 16GB with a memory card, which is very useful nowadays. Flicking the phone allows you the capability to switch between pictures which is also a pretty cool function. Dragging and dropping icons/media to your homepage is another feature that hasn’t really been seen elsewhere either.
The LG Pop (GD510) is a fun little device that isn’t for serious phone users. It’d be great as a present for an older relative — or even a younger relative who is new to the touchscreen world. It works with you and makes you sure you can’t get too ahead of yourself or lost in its UI — something that designers nowadays do take for granted by making things too complex or trying to be the first to achieve something.
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