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"Verizon--at best, misleading; at worst, dishonest"
1.5 starson by ashutchPros: Display, call clarity, feature set
Cons: Bluetooth functionality, Inaccurate marketing and publications
Summary: As a photographer, it is important to me to have my photos on my phone as wallpaper, etc. One's not taken with the phone, but with my camera and transfered from my computer to the phone. Odd as it may be, Bluetooth image transfer capability was my number one criteria for selecting a phone. Though Verizon's Bluetooth functionality chart shows FTP (file transfer capability) for the LG VX8350, I waited until the Venus came out so I could compare the phones before I purchased.
After looking at them both, the LG VX8350 still seemed like the way to go. The phone itself is fine--much better than the RAZR I turned in several months ago--and I would have rated it higher had I felt Verizon had been at all honest regarding Bluetooth.
Verizon's website shows FTP capability for the LG VX8350. The users manual specifically states, in several places, that I can send and receive images via Bluetooth with the LG VX8350. The menu on the phone has an option where I can send and receive images via Bluetooth. An insert added to the box did state the menu on the phone was incorrect, and should have stated "Basic Imaging - Allows sending and printing of non-protected images for storing and printing."
Unfortunately, none of this is accurate; when I try to send an image via Bluetooth using the phone's menu options, the phone beeps and shows an error message stating Image Transfer not supported. Similarly, I can't access the images with my computer's Bluetooth file exchange. Why?
Well I called technical support and they told me the phone doesn't support it. I asked why then all the literature states that it does, and instead of answering me they transfered me to a representative at LG. Ironically, she told me that Verizon specifically blocks the phones Bluetooth capabilities for images and ringtones in order to boost usage of their "pay per use" services. She also told me the new Venus phone is similarly blocked and added that similar phones at ATT don't have such blockages.
Subsequently, I noticed in the "My Sounds" options menu, Verizon has removed the Move option (as shown in the user's manual) in order to prevent those from being used as ringtones.
I realize that Bluetooth functionality is probably not that important to most users, but I think dishonesty is. I am very disappointed in Verizon and their representatives with this matter simply because I believe they are not accurately presenting the facts about their phones. I also don't like having to pay Verizon to move files that I own, between a phone that I own and a computer that I own, and I don't think most customers would, either.
- 9 replies to this review
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I completely agree! I was able to use bluetooth functionality on my older Sony Ericsson W300 phone (through a small company called Unicel in New England), and was very accustomed to transferring data back and forth from my computer using the usb cable that was included with the phone. Now I am told that with the purchase of my new VX8350 (with the Verizon service) that I need to purchase an additional USB cable for $35 in order to transfer ringtones to my phone. And an additional 'slap in the face' is that I now have to load my ringtones through this 'www.tuneusin.com' website, wherein I will incur charges for each text message that is sent to my phone to get my existing ringtones. On top of that, I had my data capabilities turned off so I would not incur monthly charges, and now I cannot even recieve these rington text messages. So I will have to pay for texting fees AND data throughput in order to get my ringtones? Sheesh. Disappointing, to say the least.
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Get a mini SD card. Problem solved.
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Thank you Ashutch for the LG vx8350 review. I have the LG vx8300. Iam very happy with it. After reading your review as well as some others, I will keep my old phone.
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I am on here to read reviews on the phone; this review had more to do with the provider. It's great info on Verizon though and I feel for ya because I have come across my own experience with Verizon being dishonest.
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Exactly the same thing happened to me years ago with the first Razor. No transferring of neither photos or music, except when using VCAST. I was annoyed, called Verizon, and got the usual runaround. So why didn't I shift carrier? Because Verizon provides the best coverage in the US - and that's what I ultimately pay for. Yet how do I get back at the suckers for lying and cheating with misleading marketing? I will never, for as long as I live, by as much as a ring tone through Verizon. Instead, I bought an MP3 player, and I'm happy that Verizon will never get anything other than my telephone business. I gladly pay 1000 dollars every year for music and picture services using any provider other than Verizon. Stupid? Nah - just a consumer like you, who don't like greedy phone companies jerking you around.
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I have a LG-VX8350 and have no problem uploading or downloading pics or music to the device. I use BitPim and a USB cable to the phone and am able to do what I want. The complaint that I have is that the buttons on the cover activate the music when I sit in a chair and therefore run the battery down. LG says "nothing we can do". I guess I will resort to Super Glue to rectify the problem.
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I agree with this opinion. My wife and I purchased two phones and while we were able to link the two phones, we could not transfer pictures, only contacts.<br><br>While the Verizon website lists it as compatible with the Acura TL in-car bluetooth, I never could get the car to see either of the VX8350 phones. Of course, Acura, Verizon and LG all point the blame at each other. Acura at least has offered to help with the pairing if we can call from a separate phone. We'll see how it goes.
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I and my wife and daughter just did a 2-year phone upgrade with Verizon. I got the LG VX8350, and they each got a free LG VX 5400. Using a aftermarket CD and USB cable, I was able to successfully clip a 20-second part of a MP3 song, and upload it to my daughter's and wife's phones ringtones area. However, I was unable to do the same thing with my 8350. All I get is a message stating "This File is not allowed to be uploaded to handset." I think Mr Ashutch's comments reveal the reason for this. I'll call LG to confirm this.<br><br>Regards, Gary in Sandy Eggo
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While ashutch is right on the money with regard to the crippled nature of Verizon bluetooth, his review has nothing to do with the LG VX8350. The bluetooth is an issue with every verizon phone, and to single that out as a reason to rate an otherwise great phone (by his own admission) with only 3 stars, just doesnt make any logical sense. Ignore his review, it has nothing to do with the phone and everything to do with his rightful gripe over Verizon's pathetically crippled bluetooth.
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