Welcome to the 411, my new Q&A column answering all your questions about cell phones and cell phone accessories. I receive plenty of questions about these subjects via e-mail, so I figured many of you might have the same questions, too. At times, I might solicit answers from readers if I'm stumped. Send your questions and comments to me at nicole.lee@cnet.com. If you prefer to remain anonymous, let me know in the e-mail.
Will you please explain to me the difference between 2G and 3G phones? Thank you ever so much in advance.--Michael, via e-mail
The short answer is that 3G's data service is faster than 2G's. The longer answer is that 3G brings wireless broadband data services to your phone, while 2G phones are far slower. There are also 2.5G phones that are somewhere in between. If a phone has 3G, that means it has a potential speed from 144Kbps to 2.4Mbps, which puts it close to cable-modem speed. A compatible phone on a 3G network lets you download Web pages faster, stream music and video, and more. Examples of 3G standards are EV-DO for CDMA phones and UMTS for GSM phones. There are some phones that support an even faster 3.5G standard -- HSDPA for GSM phones and EV-DO Rev. A for CDMA phones--that boast up to 7.2 Mbps. Do note that 3G networks aren't available everywhere; they're typically in major metropolitan areas but your mileage may vary if you live outside certain zones. We advise you to check with your carrier to see if there is 3G coverage in your neighborhood.
The LG Neon is good for texting.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)I can't decide between the LG Vu or the LG Neon. I text a lot and they both seem to be good. Can you tell me (since you're an expert) which one is better for me?--Camil, via e-mail
They're very different phones, Camil. The LG Vu is a touch screen only device that was one of the first phones to support AT&T Mobile TV, AT&T's live mobile TV service. It's a nice-looking phone with a full HTML browser and 3G speeds, but you won't get a physical keyboard. If you're a frequent texter, the LG Neon is probably more your taste. The Neon has a good slide-out QWERTY keyboard for easy thumb typing. We don't really like it that the display on the Neon can only be used as a touch-screen for the number dial pad, but that's a relatively small gripe. The Neon doesn't have the features of the Vu--there's no 3G, for example--but for simple texting, the Neon is better.
I bought a headset (plug in type) for my LG Dare phone. It says it fits LG phones, but when I plug it in, my phone says it has no microphone and it just doesn't work. I did have to adapt the plug from 2.5 millimeter to 3.5 millimeter to fit my phone. Please help.--John, via e-mail
The Klipsch S2m headphones has microphone input
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)It sounds to me as if your plug adapter jack does not have a microphone input. The easiest way to find out if a jack (be it 2.5 millimeter or 3.5 millimeter) supports microphones, is to count the number of lines on the plug--if there are only 2 lines, the jack does not support microphone input; if there are 3 lines, it does. I would suggest either getting an adapter that does support microphone input, or just finding a new wired headset that plugs into a 3.5-millimeter jack. A couple of the ones we like are the Klipsch Image S2m and the Etymotic hf2.
LG Neon
(Credit: LG)We missed this because of all the Apple news, but today AT&T also released a new phone, called the LG Neon. We had a hands-on with the Neon a few months ago during CTIA 2009 in Las Vegas. It's already been out for awhile in Canada from Rogers. Well, it looks like we finally have the chance to nab the Neon here, and if you like simple QWERTY phones, you might want it. The Neon has a 2-megapixel camera, a touch screen (but only for the number keypad--which we find strange), a microSD card slot, and Bluetooth. It's no fancy 3G touch-screen phone like the LG Xenon, but for $30 with a new, two-year contract, it's not bad. Look for our review of the Neon later this week.
LG Neon
(Credit: Nicole Lee/CNET)
The LG Xenon is clearly LG's premier announcement at CTIA this year, but the LG Neon deserves a closer look too. I had a brief hands-on with the device early yesterday, and it left a pretty good impression though I question some of the design choices.
Like the Xenon, the Neon has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and is meant to be a messaging device. It has a nice display and is slim and lightweight. The keyboard only has 3 rows instead of the 4 rows on the Xenon, so it's slightly more cramped. Still, the keys are well-spaced and have a bumpy texture for easier texting. On the front of the Neon is a navigation array complete with the two soft keys and four-way directional pad.
Here's where it gets a little interesting; the LG Neon's display is a touch screen, but only for the phone dialer. You hit a dedicated phone keypad button in the navigation array, and the virtual number keypad will show up. I was able to press the numbers like on an ordinary touch screen display, and there was vibration feedback as well. For the rest of the phone's interface, though, you're stuck with the regular navigation keys. Why LG decided not to make all of the functions of the Neon accessible via touch screen is a mystery to me.
Features of the LG Neon aren't as advanced as the Xenon's. It still has the 2.0-megapixel camera, music player, and stereo Bluetooth, but you won't get 3G and it only supports tri-band GSM. Pricing and availability of the LG Neon are still unknown, though we're sure we'll find out shortly.
On Sale Now: $9.99 - $249.99
View the latest prices for LG Neon - white (AT&T)
LG Xenon
(Credit: LG)
LG Neon
(Credit: LG)AT&T let the cat out of the bag a little ahead of the CTIA conference, introducing to its upcoming offerings two LG handhelds with slide-out QWERTY keyboards, the LG Xenon and the LG Neon.
Both handsets have touch-screen displays, and yes, both have QWERTY keyboards for easy messaging.
The LG Xenon measures 4.16 inches long by 2.11 inches wide by 0.62 of an inch thick. Weighing about 3.81 ounces, it has a large 2.8-inch display with vibration feedback, a home screen menu similar to the interface on other LG touch-screen phones, and a visual contacts interface.
Features include an MP3 player, a microSD card slot, a video player, stereo Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera and camcorder, threaded text messaging, instant messaging, mobile e-mail, quad-band GSM, 3G/HSDPA speeds, GPS, and access to AT&T broadband services such as Cellular Video and AT&T Mobile Music. It is set to start selling on April 8 for $99.99.
The LG Neon, sporting a slightly different design, has almost the same features as the LG Xenon. Its touch-screen display is smaller, and there is a navigation toggle underneath it. The Neon is already available in Canada through Rogers.
Features of the Neon include a 2-megapixel camera and camcorder, a microSD card slot, a music player, stereo Bluetooth, and tri-band GSM. The Neon has GPRS and EDGE connectivity but no 3G. No word on the Neon's pricing or availability just yet.
(Credit:
LG by way of Phone Arena)
It looks like AT&T is at it again with the messaging phones, as PhoneArena has spotted new photos of the LG Neon with a bold AT&T logo at the top.
The slim slider looks great--it appears that it'll have a 2.4-inch touch-screen display, a full QWERTY keyboard, and maybe even a 2-megapixel camera, plus Bluetooth. We're even liking the striking green and white color scheme here. Availability and pricing are still unknown, of course, but we'll keep you posted.
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