LG CU320 takes advantage of broadband speeds to access streaming content through Cingular Video service. Featuring entertainment, news, and sports information from today's leading media networks, the CU320 can download streaming clips at speeds of up to 220-320 kbps. Tri-band GSM support and dual-band UMTS technology lets travelers take the CU320 worldwide. With 3G prevalent in much of Europe and Asia, the CU320 leverages global standards, connecting to wherever GSM or UMTS networks are available.
As part of the new lineup in Cingular's 3G network, the CU320 integrates broadband technology with multimedia, offering a 1.3-megapixel rotating camera, Bluetooth wireless technology, and a TransFlash memory card slot. Users can multitask with data and voice simultaneously such as holding a conversation with a friend while checking the latest movie listings. Combining entertainment and productivity, the CU320 is a formidable package for technology enthusiasts looking to take one device when traveling around the world.
Design
Contrary to the edgy razor-thin clamshells sweeping the market, the CU320 has unusually rounded shape. In fact everything from the casing to the camera lens and even the navigational keypad and shortcut keys are curved, giving a relaxed feel some consumers may not find appealing.
Measuring 97 x 48 x 24 mm and weighing 122 g, the CU320 is also slightly larger and heavier than most devices on the market, offering more bulk to carry around. But then again, the CU320 was designed for a different type of user, those who value functionality over form.
Displaying a brilliant 2-inch LCD, users can view essential information such as network status, time, and battery levels in 262K-colors, also providing indications for incoming calls and messages alerts.
Above, a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera captures photos from front to back, rotating about a 180-degree vertical range. Snapping images with the viewfinder pointed in the same or opposite direction of the lens, awkward angles, self-portraits, or group shots are as simple as turning the lens.
Surrounded by Send, End / Power, Clear, and Left and Right shortcut keys, the 5-way directional keypad also doubles as quick keys to open messages or launch the WAP browser (when held down).
On the left, side keys to control the ringtone and speaker volumes during standby and calls are nearby a TransFlash expansion slot, able to accept cards up to 512 MB in size. Above a headset jack offers handsfree access with optional headphones. On the right, a dedicated Camera Key activates the lens, while a Task Menu Key quickly accesses saved or managed errands. Sliding open to reveal the numeric keypad, the CU320 offers comfortable text messaging or chatting aided by T9 predictive text.
Out of the box, the LG CU320 comes with a standard 1000 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Travel Charger, Quick Start Guide, and User Manual.
Basic Features
Providing tri-band (850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz) GSM support, the CU320 is compatible with most networks in Europe and Asia. Additionally the CU320 comes with dual-band (850 / 1900 MHz) frequencies for UMTS. However, since other countries use the more common 2100 MHz standard, the CU320 is incompatible with 3G networks abroad.
Released exclusively for Cingular, the CU320 is unfortunately locked by default, a common carrier practice to prevent customers from taking discounted phones (purchased in conjunction with a plan) to other carriers. However, good-standing customers can usually request the unlock code after 90 days of service. Only after it's unlocked will users be able to take it to other networks.
Rating the CU320's 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery at a mediocre 2.5 and 200 hours (8.3 days) of talk and standby times respectively, real world usage times will be less. Below average among usage times, handset manufacturers often list talk-time and standby-time ratings with disclaimers about variable performance, often referring to the times they publish as maximum times.
Camera
Through the integrated 1.3-megapixel camera, the CU320 can take pictures of people or events while on the move. The rotating lens, positioned on the top of the CU320, is activated with the press of the dedicated Camera Key. Able to capture photos at up to 1280 x 960 px, image quality is high enough in resolution to make prints, something not previously possible with VGA cameras in prior generation phones. To conserve memory, users can also lower resolution to VGA (640 x 480 px) or QVGA (320 x 240 px). All photos are stored in the JPG file format. With the popularity of camera phones, manufacturers have saturated the market with a broad range of imaging devices. Trailing pioneers like Sony Ericsson that push mobile imaging technology with 2.0- and 3.0-megapixel cameras, the CU320 is in the middle of the pack, outperforming entry-level devices that still put in VGA (0.3-megapixel) cameras too grainy for much practical use.
Offering bundled filters, a standard set of effects come with the CU320 including adjustments to Quality (Normal, Fine, and Super Fine), View (Reverse and Full), Flash, Multi-Shot, Self-Timer, White Balance (Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Cloudy, Fluorescent, and Night), Color Effect (Color, Sepia, Mono, and Negative), Shutter Sounds, Brightness, and Zoom (Up to 4X depending on resolution). Also able to record clips, users can store video at QCIF (176 x 144 px) resolution, with the option to adjust Quality, View, Flash, Brightness, White Balance, and Color Effects Settings. Encoded in MPEG-4 and 3GP formats, video is recorded at 15 fps (frames per second) and can be stored on the CU320's internal memory or removable TransFlash memory cards.
Good for the impromptu moment, users shouldn't expect much more from video capture, being a bit sporadic in accuracy and clarity.
Audio
Inserting a TransFlash memory card activates the built-in MP3 Player. Storing over a hundred songs per card (512 MB), the CU320 accepts a variety of file formats and bitrates. Offering basic functions for music playing, users can create playlists, shuffle / repeat songs, and adjust equalizer visualization.
Also allowing real music to be set as ringtones, the CU320 support MP3, AAC, or 72 chord polyphonic tones. Providing numerous ways to obtain multimedia, users can get songs through PC transfer, or through Cingular's MEdia Net service.
Messaging
SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service) text messaging standard are included on the CU320. Allowing consumers to send messages with format attributes such as style, size, alignment, and paragraphs, and attach multimedia like photos, sounds, and video, T9 predictive text lets them type faster by using potential letter combinations of the English language to predict possible words to follow.
Through POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP protocols, users can send and receive emails from 3rd party email accounts.
The CU320 also comes preinstalled with popular instant messaging programs. Offering real-time communication with friends and family, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, and Yahoo! Messenger are included on the CU320. Cingular customers can login and chat directly, as if they never left the PC behind.
Entertainment
The CU320 also includes essential PIM (Personal Information Management) tools, preinstalled with Alarm, Calculator, Converter, Device Management, Organizer (Calendar, To-Do List, Memo Pad, and Scheduler) Record Audio, and World Time. Offering a few bundled games, the CU320 also supports J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition), the most popular mobile platform for games and applications. With many developers making applications for J2ME, a wide variety is already available. From Java games (reminiscent of 80s console titles) to useful mapping tools and productive applications, users can download programs through the Internet or Cingular Mall, most for a small fee.
As one of Cingular's new flagship video phones to take advantage of Cingular Video, the CU320 can access UMTS broadband speeds to stream video content. Consumers can subscribe to Cingular's MEdia Net Unlimited Data Package ($19.99 per month) to avoid high data charges (highly recommended), otherwise Cingular charges a hefty $0.01 per KB without a data plan. Through unlimited MEdia Net, consumers receive unlimited access to Cingular Video's basic content (premium channels cost extra). Video quality is excellent with smooth and synchronous imaging and audio, comparable to other carriers such as Verizon Wireless VCAST and Sprint PCS MobiTV. With an abundant variety of channels, users should find something interesting to watch.
Customers who want to catch the hottest shows can tune into ABC's hit series "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost."
To pass time laughing on a lunch break, customers can access Adult Swim's "The Brak Show," "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," "Sealab 2021," and "Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law."
Breaking news is also accessible from major media networks (NBC News, FOX News and CNN). Streaming top story headlines, business, sports, politics, and entertainment, even local and regional updates from the Weather Channel, these channels make sure users are always connected with the happenings of the world, even when they're away from the television.
Keeping fanatics up-to-date on the sports scores, ESPN provides college sports content, X Games, and ESPN Deportes. FOX Sports also adds to the action with in-depth regional coverage of all major pro and college sports, while the SPEED Channel shows motor sports news, expert insight, analysis and lifestyle programming.
The CU320 keeps kids entertained as well. Supporting shows from Cartoon Network and Disney, popular shows include "The Powerpuff Girls," "Dexter's Laboratory," "That's So Raven," "Kim Possible," "Playhouse Disney," "The Muppets," Disney Classics, and Disney Originals 2D and 3D animated shorts.
For entertainment on the road, iFilm offers movie trailers and clips, celebrity interviews and updates, while Music Choice provides a diverse selection of music videos, artist interviews and performances, and music news.
Premium content is also available for an extra $4.99 per month. Gaining access to film clips, HBO Family provides shows like "Crashbox" and "El Perro," while HBO Mobile lets consumers watch award-winning shows like "The Sopranos," "Sex and The City," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Entourage."
Internet
As an entirely new infrastructure upgrade based on CDMA technology, Cingular's UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) system requires significant time and investment. Currently only available in select markets (Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tacoma and Washington, D.C.), UMTS will be rolled out to additional markets throughout the year.
Upgrading from EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution), a 2.5G standard, to UMTS, a 3G standard adopted my much of the world, customers can transfer data at theoretical rates of 384 kbps. However realistic rates will be more around 220-320 kbps, still a significant improvement over EDGE which transfers at 70-135 kbps.
While Cingular's UMTS is faster than competing GSM networks, unfortunately it is still slower than the more advanced EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) technology from CDMA carriers like Verizon Wireless and Sprint. Offering rates of 300-500 kbps, EV-DO currently provides the fastest transfer speeds from wireless carriers in North America.
Connectivity
Providing Bluetooth wireless connectivity, CU320 users can synchronize and pair with other Bluetooth-enabled devices within a 10 meter radius. Able to transfer and offload multimedia to and from a PC, the CU320 offers fast synchronization with Calendar, Notes, and the PhoneBook, allowing users to take their work with them.
The CU320 is one of the best multimedia-equipped phones on the market, integrating a 1.3-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities for impromptu photos and videos, an MP3 Player for music listening on the road, Bluetooth connectivity to transfer multimedia and pair wireless devices, TransFlash memory card slot for extra storage, and UMTS access for broadband transfer rates.
Equally capable in productivity, the CU320 provides robust multimedia messaging features, quad-band GSM with UMTS dual-band support, email access on 3rd party accounts, and real-time chat on the leading instant messaging clients, necessary for busy professionals on the road.
But unfortunately perhaps the greatest drawback to the CU320 is its lacks the visual appeal. In a market where ultra-thin devices are providing increasing appealing designs, the CU320 offers rounded curves and a dull exterior, which may deter consumers looking for a device with looks as impressive as its functionality.
Compared to the Samsung ZX10, the other device released on Cingular's UMTS network, the CU320 is definitely more well-rounded, offering more features such as Bluetooth. However, the ZX10 has a more aesthetically pleasing design, and more robust camera with advanced filters and effects.
Regardless, for consumers who can overcome its lack of design, the CU320 packs an impressive number of features. With a superior 262K-color LCD, videos are wonderfully crisp and sharp. Giving users the flexibility of watching clips on the road, UMTS and Cingular Video offers lightning fast transfer rates and entertainment over existing EDGE networks.
