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Epicurus.com - LG Chocolate 3 Black Phone (Verizon Wireless)
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List Price: $499.99
Our Price: $69.99
Your Save: $ 430.00 ( 86% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Verizon Wireless
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Battery Type: Lithium Ion
Binding: Wireless Phone
Brand: LG
Color: Black
Display Size: 3
Label: Verizon Wireless
Manufacturer: Verizon Wireless
Model: VX8560
Publisher: Verizon Wireless
Release Date: 2008-07-14
Studio: Verizon Wireless
Variation Description: Black
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Editorial Reviews:
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The third-generation of LG's iconic Chocolate, the Chocolate 3 for Verizon in light blue supports all of the latest features in mobile music technology. The first flip phone in the Chocolate lineup, the Chocolate 3 boasts an easy-to-use external front navigation wheel and center select key to make music navigation easy. It also includes dual speakers, Bluetooth stereo music streaming capabilities, and a built-in FM transmitter enabling you to play music through your car stereo. It's also compatible with the V Cast Music and V CAST Music with Rhapsody services, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon's fast EV-DO data network. The Chocolate 3 has 1 GB of internal memory--enough to store up to 250 songs--and it's expandable via optoinal MicroSD memory cards up to 8 GB in size. Other features include fast downloads via Verizon's EV-DO 3G network, Verizon Navigator turn-by-turn direction capability, a 2-megapixel camera, one-touch speakerphone and Bluetooth wireless connectivity to handsfree devices, speaker-independent voice commands, and up to 4.5 hours of talk time. 
The third-generation of the iconic Chocolate music phone flips out in a new clamshell design. | Verizon Service Options
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon's multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time. In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with Verizon's V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played. The V Cast Video service enables you to stream or download video clips to your phone from a variety of news, entertainment, sports, and weather channels, including CNN, ABC News, E!, CBS Sports, The Weather Channel, and VH1. Verizon's Mobile eMail gives you access to your Windows Live Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL accounts so you can read, write, and reply. Access your address book, receive e-mail alerts and more, right on your Verizon Wireless phone. Getting on the Internet is easy using Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service. With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access Verizon's VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. And Verizon's Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your Verizon Wireless phone or PC in real time. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone. 
The Chocolate 3 comes with 1 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded via optional MicroSD memory cards. | Phone Features
The first Chocolate phone available in a clamshell form, LG's Chocolate 3 makes mobile music easy. Its easy-to-use external front navigation wheel and center select key provide quick access to your library and playback controls, and the front of the clamshell also offers a large 1.75-inch LCD screen with 262K colors and a 220 x 176-pixel resolution. In addition to viewing currently playing songs, you'll also be able to quickly check on battery level, signal strength, and current time. Flip open the Chocolate 3 to reveal a 2.2-inch LCD (262K colors, 240 x 320-pixel resolution), alpha-numeric keypad, five-way navigation pad, and standard send/end and soft keys. The phone has a 1 GB internal memory so you can store music files right out of the box, and it's expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards (up to 8 GB in size). You can store up to 1000 conact entries in the phone book, each storing up to 5 numbers, 2 email addresses, and a Picture ID. The phone also features a 999-entry speed dial (with default voicemail) and USB connectivity (with USB mass storage capability, allowing you to drag important files to the phone's memory from your PC's desktop). The Chocolate 3's digital audio player supports MP3 and WMA files as well as unprotected AAC/AAC+ formats, and it to multitask in other areas of the phone (SMS texting, checking email) while still allowing the music to play on in the background. The built-in FM transmitter enables you to play music through a car or other stereo system, and it also has dual stereo speakers. Other music features include playlist creation and management and equalizer presets. 
The Chocolate 3 weighs 3.36 ounces and measures 0.64 inches thin. | This phone provides the latest version of Bluetooth connectivity--version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), which makes pairing with the included headset as well as other Bluetooth devices a snap. And with EDR, you'll get a faster connection than with the previous version 1.2, which makes transferring files and using the phone as a modem for your laptop hum along nicely. And with the embedded A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of Bluetooth stereo headphones or other compatible devices. The 2.0-megapixel imager enables you to capture still photos up to 1600 x 1200 pixels--perfect for printing up to 8 x 10 inches--as well as capture videos up to an hour in 320 x 240-pixel resolution. Other features include a 2x digital zoom, customizable brightness and white balance, self-timer, night mode, and multiple color effects. You can also edit still images right in the phone, by zooming, rotating and cropping. The phone also supports WMV, MP4, 3GP, and 3G2 video format playback. Other features include: - Verizon Nationwide Premium Plan capable
- Organization tools: Calendar, Calculator, EZ Tip Calculator, Alarm Clock, Stopwatch, World Clock, Notepad
- USB mass storage and USB charging via PC
- Flight mode that allows you to play uninterrupted music while flying or when you don't want to be interrupted by incoming calls
- Voice recording up to 1 hour (depending on available memory
- 27 unique ringtones, MP3 music ringer support, vibrate/silent modes
- Messaging: SMS, MMS, mobile email
- Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3
- TTY compatible
- Download software upgrades over the air
- Bluetooth version 2.1 with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to another device), BPP (basic printing profile for text, email), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PBA (transfer contacts)
Vital Statistics
The LG Chocolate 3 weighs 3.36 ounces and measures 3.87 x 1.94 x 0.64 inches. Its 800 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours (270 minutes) of talk time, and up to 350 hours (14.6 days) of standby time. It runs on the 800/1900 CDMA frequencies as well as the 1xEV-DO r0 data network.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: LOVE THE CHOCOLATE 3!!!
Comment: i love the chocolate 3...i got it as a 1st phone for my birthday. i love how you are able to take pics with the camera closed looking into the front screen. I wish there was an easy way of setting your music as ringtones. I haven't noticed any major problems yet... but it is annoying how you must CONSTANTLY unlock the front screen whenever you want to use it. The phone is also quite long when opened.(not a good texting phone either) OVERALL THIS PHONE IS AHHHMAZZZINGGGG!!I LOVE IT!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: I only ever wanted a phone that made and received calls until I met the Chocolate 3
Comment: I am by no means someone who demands the latest and greatest in any electronic item I buy or receive as a gift. All my cell phones in the past have been ones that I only needed to make and receive calls. I am not into texting, and while having a camera in the phone is nice, it was never a necessity.
That has all changed with the Chocolate 3.
My sister gave this to me as an early birthday present. I was due for an upgrade, but money has been tight and I just kept putting it off. As soon as she gave me the phone I fell in love with it. It's not a slider like the previous incarnations of the Chocolate, but that doesn't matter to me.
The first thing that really impressed me was how easy it is to use the music player. Everything is laid out in a fairly simple manner. Adding and removing music from the phone isn't difficult. The bonus with the player is the built in FM transmitter. I walked around the first floor of my home while the radio I had on was in another room, and though there was a little bit of static it wasn't to the point where it drowned out the music. And it sounds especially good over my car's stereo system.
I have yet to try out the camera on it.
And, because this is a phone, I was interested in how well it makes and receives calls. The calls I have made and received on it so far are crisp. The earpiece is by far the best I have come across in a cell phone.
I may have really spoiled myself on this phone.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Music+Stereo Bluetooth+FM Transmitter=SUCCESS!
Comment: PROS:
Strong-signaled stereo bluetooth, adequate FM transmitter, easy-to-use music system, 3.5mm headphone jack (!!), expandable microSD slot, very helpful and convenient front screen, programmable shortcut buttons, small form size like the RAZR
CONS:
Front scroll wheel somewhat temperamental, a tad slow response on some features, fiip-phone spring not 100% durable after use, keypad not as pleasant to text on as RAZR, haven't found a way to set music you put on the phone yourself as ringtones
First, anyone wanting the perfect balance between an mp3 player and a phone need go no further. I was originally in the market for a RAZR v9, but after reviewing the specs, I decided this was the phone for me. I couldn't be more happy!
Obviously, as the pros state, this phone has pretty much anything a music buff can need in a phone. Of course, it's not the world's greatest mp3 player, but it's all in what you're expecting. For me, I haven't found anything that an iPod can do that the Chocolate 3 can't; it even has the scroll-wheel like the iPod, except it's a more tactile feel. The wheel takes a little getting used to, but it's not rocket science.
The best thing about this phone to me is the variety of musical connectivity; loading music is easiest by plugging it into your computer's USB port and copy/pasting your music onto the phone. The phone also charges while loading, and automatically sorts songs by their ID3 tags just like an iPod. You can also load music via Bluetooth from your computer, as well as download from Verizon's VCast service. I don't use that because it costs more money, but it doesn't hinder my phone in any way.
In terms of music playing, the best feature ever is the built in 3.5mm headphone jack, something that is often taken for granted on cell phones. Also, stereo bluetooth (A2DP) is WONDERFUL... I recommend the Motorola S805 headphones for anyone who wants noise-canceling headphones with GREAT reception, sound, and still hands-free calling simultaneously. If you have no headphones, the built in speaker is acceptable enough to play while waiting on a midnight bus or whatever time you have to kill.
The phone itself is very similar in form and depth to the RAZR v9; I wasn't expecting it to be a good looking as it is. I have the light blue version, but the Black looks just as good. It's pretty sturdy, too; I've given it hell for the past three months, and it's still fine. My only complaint is the keypad itself... it isn't as smooth as the buttons on a Motorola phone, but it's just something to get used to.
One thing I really like that is unique to this phone is the ability to recieve and read text messages, view and play music and pictures, start and use the camera, and view calendar entries from the front screen... without having to open the phone. This may seem useless, but I've found it to be quite helpful, especially when you're in a place (such as class) when you want to stay inconspicuous.
The phone has all the basic features you'd expect... calendar, calculator, alarm clock, notepad... plus a fairly good camera (albeit no flash). The buttons on the phone are all laid out well, and the circular navigation arrows around the "ok" button are all programmable to a number of phone functions. When the phone is closed, there is an automatic lock-keys button to keep you from accidentally doing things to the phone while it's in your pocket. All you have to do to unlock it is press the button on the side, and you're good to go.
All in all, I strongly recommend this phone for anyone who likes bluetooth connectivity, listening to music without having to carry a separate mp3 player, and still have all the features of a good phone. The battery life lasts about three days on average, depending on what you're doing, and that makes it great for travel. One minor con is that the phone, while using USB, does not use the standard mini-USB port on the phone; there is a proprietary USB connection type on the phone side, which makes it annoying when you forget the cord that came with the phone. But overall, I'm glad I went with LG, and I'm glad LG went with a flip style for the next Chocolate!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent music phone with a few tiny quirks
Comment: Contrary to what the documentation says, you don't need to install Rhapsody to sync music to the phone. Before you plug the phone in for the first time, just go into the Settings menu, pick the USB Auto Sync option, and set the phone to the "sync data" setting. That will install the proper drivers. After that, set the phone to "sync music" and you'll be able to use Windows Media Player to sync music anytime thereafter. Or, you can copy music files manually to the my_music folder by activating the "USB Mass Storage" option located in the Settings/Tools menu.
Little quirks like that are the story with this phone.
Pros:
* Strong signal and clear reception
* Great battery life as a phone (4+ hours talk, days of standby)
* Feels and works very much like an Ipod when closed
* Built-in FM transmitter to beam music to car stereo!
* Music playback is loud and clear on phone speaker
* Standard headphone jack
* 2MP camera
* Two beautiful color screens (pictures look great!)
* Menus and buttons are very intuitive
* Clicky, responsive keys (feels like a phone!)
* Solid construction, but thin enough to fit in pocket
Cons:
* Ringtone volume is TOO LOUD, with no real way to lower it
* Have to remove SD card to sync to internal memory
* Pictures look a little tinted when sent to PC
* Can't organize pictures into folders, so gallery gets unwieldy fast
* Can't change behavior of the lock button
* Signal strength meter is totally inaccurate
* Mirrored front quickly gathers fingerprints and smudges
For me, those quirks weren't enough to get me to dock a star from the Chocolate 3's rating. I bought the silicon cover to avoid the fingerprint problem. I got around the loud ringtones by downloading and sending a couple "quieter" ones to the phone. The lack of good picture organization and camera quality didn't bug me because I don't use my phone as a camera. The pictures look pretty decent anyway. The signal strength indicator doesn't jive with our two older phones, but in real-world use the Chocolate 3 can make a call in our favorite big grocery store whereas our older phones can't.
Out of all of those tiny peeves, the one thing I wish they'd fix is make it possible to change the behavior of the button that locks the scroll wheel. Right now, a single-click lets you use the scroll wheel. I'd prefer a double-click. I haven't actually managed to unlock the phone in my pocket yet, though, so it's all good.
What I wanted was 1) a comfortable, reliable phone, and 2) a decent music player. The LG VX-8560 Chocolate 3 has delivered superbly on both counts.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Music Synch is annoying.
Comment: My main beef is with the music sync funtionality. In the store, they told me the phone works with Windows Media Player. This is true, however you have to use Windows Media Player 11, and you have to also have Rapsody installed and running when you first plug in the phone. I just hate it when companies force you to use their software. And even following thse steps, I've had trouble getting windows media player to always recognize the phone.
Aside from that, the interface on the phone itself is quite good.
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