This is the log of the LG Voyager, Star Date… ok sorry just saw the new Star Trek, forgive me. The Story of how I came to Verizon recently and picked up this phone is interesting, however random. Do you really want to hear the story or do you want me to talk about this phone? Something tells me you’re here to learn about the phone

First off, after using this phone for the better part of a week, I really have sacrificed great software (Android) for great hardware. And that’s almost an even trade: the HTC G1 hardware is like a Ford Taurus, if that Ford Taurus broke in one year not 5. I was already on my first replacement G1 after only 4 months, and that one was starting to fail as well.

So that’s the short version of the story… although during this review I will be lavishing great praise on the Android platform; if the Voyager had a version of it, I would be in sweet phone tecchie bliss

The phone is lightweight but large enough to have a nice screen, the touchscreen feels solid, love the well done QWERTY touchscreen keys on the top display. The dual displays and Env. format of foldout to full QUERTY is well done and I can see LG made lots of improvements to the idea of the Env. The multiple volume control settings are great, almost overkill; QWERTY keyboard is spectacular, flip open phone for automatic speakerphone awesome, and I like the mouse nav on the foldout keyboard for browsing. I certainly miss the Androids Web Browser, I’m almost half tempted to keep the G1 as just an Internet device for now, but it’s too hot on the market to justify hanging onto its shoddy hardware that’s worth $300 +

The Voyager also has a nice 2 MP camera, which utterly destroys what is most likely the crappiest modern cellphone camera on the G1. Its fairly large, but feels good up to your ear, not the bulkiness of the IPhone or G1. I am utterly dazzled with the camera and video settings, very well done! Side keylock feature is great, and the construction of the shell is solid; you really feel like you have a $400 phone in your hands. (I got it for 1c on amazon)

Now onto the software: LG, please hire some designers, I feel like i’m looking at 1995 here. The touchscreen market is hyper competitive so step up to the plate and see what you can do. The reason I’m so critical of the design is b/c that’s really the main point I find lacking: menu system is good, it’s easy to find what you need to tweak in settings, get to web/email, text, etc, so that’s mostly there. Touchscreen controls can be a little off, but this phone is certainly no slouch on all around solid construction, excellent hardware, and ease of use. I would say the #1 thing I miss besides the easier web nav on the G1 is the lack of support for apps: Google maps wont run on this beast, laaaaame! (but the reason is Verizon wants extra money from you for the VZ nav, although it’s really worth it). There also does not appear to be any WIFI support, although I could be wrong. This is not as big of a deal though, as I’m now on the best 3G network, and paying less than half of what Tmobile was charging me to be on theirs. Paying more than twice as much for half as much? now you know why they lost a customer

Overall, If you want a new phone for elegant touchscreen features, either wait until android opens up to other phones, or get an Iphone. Att’s services are slightly more expensive, but they also have great 3G coverage, and the rollover minutes are always good.
I am going to miss android for while (as soon as this thing sells on ebay), but It wont be too long until it opens up to other hardware.