Every respecting itself a manufacturer of mobile phones is trying to offer its buyers a wider range of models. At the same time the user has a chance to select the phone, but not only on the basis of his capabilities, but also with the clear knowledge what the mobile phone should be able to do. I think that the vast majority will agree with me that the most popular feature of modern tube is the ability to reproduce music files. That is why in recent times the number of variations on the theme of music phones is growing as on the yeast. At the same time, a truly interesting new products there is not too much. That is why the first player from the phone company LG Electronics - LG KE600 - was greeted us with a dual interest. Getting ahead, say that the first-born in a segment of music phones of  LG turned out to be very, very attractive. However, you should make sure of this now.

A complete set of supply

In traditional for LG a medium-sized box you will find:
. LG KE600 phone;
. charger;
. USB cable to connect to a PC;
. headphones with a standard 3.5 mm connector;
. wired remote (headset) remote control player;
. microSD memory card of volume format of 512 Mb;
. CD with software and user manual.

Appearance. Design

LG KE600 is in the now fashionable slider form-factor. Even with all this diversity of variations on the theme of  “sliding structures” sliders are still perceived as image solution. However, thanks to the efforts of the famous brands this form factor gradually penetrates into other market segments, which no longer looks like an attribute of elected. But this does not apply to LG KE600, which suffers the fate be at the centre of attention and to catch a curious and perhaps envious glance. The combination of matte and black lacquer with silver metallic shades attached to the telephone a hefty share of charm and rich gloss. While talking about purity is not accounted for here. Excellent glossy varnish collects fingerprints and minor scratches - that is the fee for the image.

The quality of performance is on the top. Super plastic and excellent assembly of  the trunk make the construction monolithic and resistant to adverse external influences. There is no part of the construction hangs loosely or squeaks. The front cover of the phone is a box of polished black plastic, where there are left windows for the display and the operations of the buttons. The screen has a resolution of 320 pixels х240. Image quality deserves praiseworthy. A clear picture is smooth and excellent colour is combined with deep saturated colours and brightness, which is sufficient even for solar winter day. However, all of this, LG KE600 display is not without flaws. Its drawback are very small angles of review vertically. The phone should be rejected a little longer than necessary, and the image immediately turns into a negative.

Now pay attention to the distinguishing feature of this model. This is managing block. The first thing you will notice - Navigation… no, not joystick, but rather element. The fact is that the developers decided to abandon the customary for all four- positioned key and used the wheel in the manner that applies player iPod. Only here it is not sensory and belongs to a family of “plastic rotary.” Frankly speaking, we were pleased to work with the help of it. It is a bit removed from the center to the left side, so the big finger of  the right hand rests precisely on it. Overall, the navigation of the menu or a playlist in a player leaves only pleasant impressions, after which a normal telephone management seems to be anachronistic. Furthermore, in order to remain a staunch conservatives and the old way of managing the phone - pressing the scroll the wheel behaves the same way as normal joystick. In addition to the noticeable in the center OK there is the button to confirm the action.

The wheel of scroll girdles blue bezel, which is inscribed soft keys, and the key is X repeal or refund ago. In fact, such a close location of the main elements of management can be very convenient. What can not be said about the location of the keys Lights Out and taking the call. Pressing admission is where we are accustomed fumbling button Lights Out, and that in turn is so small and so close to the edge of the device is that the rapid decline the challenge is sometimes very difficult. Between the above keys developers placed a call button quickly MP3 player. The illumination of the controls not only performs its duties direct assistance to find the desired button in the dark, but cool complements appearance phone. Magical luminescence navigational wheel in the darkness looks quite impressive. Above the screen, we can see the logo and the manufacturer’s phone earpiece. The side did not have to empty the brink. Thus, the right to find a place for abalone and strap buttons activate the camera. As for the left edge, then there we found a twin trenches and covered volume plug connector for connecting a headset, which acts as corporate remote control playback, which in turn connect headphones with a standard 3.5 mm connector.

The upper part of anything noteworthy, except glossy plastic escarpment, could not boast, but there is at the bottom interface connector to connect to a PC and a microphone hole. From foreign attitudes and dust penetration connector securely covered with inconspicuous plastic plugs. Two-thirds of the surface area of the back, took a battery (combined with a lid). It is mounted through a very tough latches and several guides. As a result, the combination deleted even the slightest allusion to play its part. Under the battery slot is for mounting the SIM card and slot for microSD memory card format. Location latter said that the phone is no hot replacement memory cards. Block digital cameras, consisting of the lens, a miniature mirrors for self-flashlight and outbreaks, nestles just above. Slightly left of this whole songs visible slot system polyphonic speaker. Write about what the quality of his sound, we will know in due time, but in the meantime, it’s time to reveal the phone.

Unfortunately, the shell no steps, which could be a big finger to catch on and discover slider. It is a big finger to the screen or the navigation wheel, or to contrive so as not to drop the n phone, and to put on under his top of the bottom. But after these acts are committed easy, autofocus mechanism works surprisingly easily and clearly, and the characteristic clicking tell us that the phone is open. And both times, then turn our attention to the digital keyboard. Figure arrangement of keys on it is rather unusual and generally subordinate to design phone. Four series of buttons that curved in an arc, immediately obvious. However, this is not the most that could be claimed from the keyboard. Index - is its ergonomics. But with this option from the numeric keypad LG KE600 all in good order. By custom image keys, their form and optimal size finger unmistakably clicks exactly the button you want. Submit here a clear and tangible response during a small keyboard and receive almost like the ideal design. Accustomed to the keyboard LG KE600, unlike unit manager, will not have to at all. This review LG KE600 appearance can be considered complete, so that it has time to consider its inner contents.

The overall functionality and communication capabilities. Multimedia

The details of internal structure of the phone can be found in the tables of technical characteristics.
Supported standards GSM 900 1800 1900
Tip TFT screen (2.0 “, 262 thousand colors)
The screen resolution is 320×240
The amount of volatile memory 70 Mb
Guest rooms in the memory of 1000
Support for Java MIDP 2.0
Wap v.2.0
GPRS lass with a 10
EDGE +
Bluetooth v.2.0 (there A2DP profile)
Connector to the computer +
+ FM receiver
Recorder +
Polyphonic ringing tone (64 votes), MP3 to call
Camera 2 Mp, Auto-Focus, Macro mode
Multimedia, “chips” soundtrack and ringtones - Record choir without the use of tools (John); Applications “composer” and “DJ” to create their own melodies; navigational wheel
Slot expansion card format microSD
Battery Li-ion 950 mAh
Opening hours (talk / Wait) 4 / 200 hours
Physical size (LxWxH) 97 mm h46h18.9
Weight 90 g

Now I propose to stay with a view to seeing some peculiarities of the phone. The staff can work on the GSM standard 900/1800/1900 MHz. There is also seen the presence of the support of standards for the existence of high-speed data transmission: GPRS and EDGE. The presence of the last lovers will surely enjoy high-speed mobile Internet, because the support of  EDGE have already had a major Belarusian operators. It also drew attention to the amount of memory. Even if you are for any reason forget the memory card at home, 70 MB should be sufficient for several dozen pictures of excellent quality.

If I may, that the musical component of the phone would like to tell separately. All salt that the inscription on the box “Music Phone” means not only that we are a hybrid cell phone and MP3 player. The developers went much deeper. All musical accompaniment from the sound slider opening to the melody for the alarm clock is nothing like the recorded voice choir, performing akapellno (without musical accompaniment) related melodies or sounds. Especially amusing sounds recruitment numbers, or his next adjustment. Moreover, among phone software has a range of software for mobile establish their own melodies and arrangements already exist. Is all this wealth in ‘Multimedia. ” For example, by using “Composer” you will be able simply to hum your favourite songs on the dictaphone. Telephone, in turn, converts it into a music recording, and you can make it into an arrangement of musical styles and complement of instrumental accompaniment. I must say that, despite the apparent futility, this application may take you a little time at least to play and amuse for a while its soul. There is yet another entertaining utility - “DJ”. Using it, you can feel themselves not only a composer but also the King plates - dj. Nautical spinning wheel, as if  DJ’ s plate, it is possible to mix the running melody. Access to radio takes place from the same folder. Without a headset plugged it does not work. Search channels available as a manual or automatic. Since call saved frequency by means of buttons on the digital keyboard, we can save 12 radio stations.

The quality of signal reception is at the proper level and not causing slightest criticism ever tested. As for the telephone dynamics, it is not always enough volume. Thus, the strain accounted for noisy street Listening to listen to the interlocutor. But the caller will not languish awaiting your response. Heavy hair and loud dynamics of the system do not permit miss a call. By the way, on the dynamics. If not give a maximum loudness, then it sounds quite pure, and particularly impressive MP3-playback tracks. However, if the start essay, we can recall that it is located on the back of the device. It turns out that most of the time sound will be sent to the opposite side of the user. What this leads you understand yourself.

As the phone is still concurrently and MP3-player, as an active reported in press releases LG company, I would ignore his “telephone” component, and talk about it solely as a gadget, reproducing music. For reproduction in the embedded software player. He practically devoid of functional features and, in fact, can only play music. For example, the support and the creation of playlists and speech is not - there is only a list of songs downloaded to the phone, which are sorted alphabetically. But in a very effective equalizer with presettings 9, which cover almost all user requests. The possibility of its manual is not available. Notably, when playing songs shows real range equalizer, although the plants can be selected and more impressive visualization. But what is really depressing is the inability to work player in the background. So wander on the menu and will not be able to enjoy music - “sit and listen”, decided treacherous producer. Manage best playback through ongoing bundled remote. Just now, and we will, because it is time to assess the quality of our hero. According to the subjective impressions LG KE600 sounds very neat and clean and in most of the compositions are not forced to use EQ, the installation of which, by the way, please any music lovers. So if close an eye on the functionality of the program deficient player, LG KE600 is recommended as a replacement portable Flash MP3 player.

Once connected to a computer phone can be determined either as an external modem GPRS/EDGE- or as Flash-drive. Connectivity Option selected from the appropriate menu item before the USB cable is plugged in the PC. If the phone works as a modem, it would require drivers who are on the enclosed CD-ROM. When connecting LG KE600 as the drive does not require any drivers, and then appear in the two new Flash-drive - one of them is nothing like the internal memory, the other is a replacement card memory. It should be noted that when the phone in this mode, it shuts off GSM module, and you will not be able to talk with any… But there is a positive side of this moment - charging for USB, which is actually one little consolation. Finally I would mention the battery. Despite the fact that its capacity is greater than the average - 900 mAh - Production honestly expresses very modest indicators autonomous and events (see Table technical attributes). Our testing only confirms this. Thus, with intensive (20 camera images, a 20-minute talk, several SMS, 1 hour drying MP3 player and navigation on the menu, contacts) Minsk use in a cellular phone networks barely spent a day. If several limiting conditions, it is possible to “survive” without sockets two days. Overall, not the best result. However, if playing in the settings, you can find the so-called energy-efficient mode, which reduces the level of illumination, if the phone is not in use. Frankly, the big benefit of this is not the case, but we still managed to extend the time for a few hours.

Inside

Now, dear readers, you already know a lot of interesting things about our guests today, so it’s time to start detailed familiarity with its menu and domestic content. In standby mode, the screen displays the mass of useful information, such as: battery level indicator network service symbols, etc. But thanks to the screen resolution high all these accessories “interior” succeeded fairly compact place on the contours of the screen and not clutter nice wallpaper, which a lot of great standard.

The bottom line shows a signature to soft buttons. Reprogramme them, unfortunately, it is impossible, as well as reprogramme pressing joystick, which also appointed actions. For example, rejecting joystick / wheel left, you can quickly switch profile, right - to visit the menu item Favorites. To make sure that you do not forget these combinations, in the standby mode, the screen displays a small hint.

Get up to the same menu, you can, by clicking on the left or on the key contextual OK. In addition to traditional LG organization in a matrix of icons, used another, a new - circular menu, the character under the general concept phone. This decision not only looks interesting and fresh, but also brings a hefty share of the convenience in the administration of the telephone. Navigation menu with a circular wheel is no worse, and sometimes more convenient than using conventional joystick. However, as we have mentioned, for the wheel saved all commonplace feature old good four- position. Submenu organized as a conventional vertical list. Once inside it, we can move between subparagraphs through deviations joystick. Moreover, in any of sub-menu navigation can be found by using numerical sequences. In general, a thoughtful and intuitive interface surfing unwittingly forced smile. Now, as usual, offer to get acquainted with the menu closer. Let’s start in order.

Messages

Besides traditional SMS message machine also supports MMS multimedia messages, as well as E-Mail (POP3, Imap4). When writing a message on the screen displays 8 lines of text. This input can be changed here. It is heartening that the written message is not lost, if at the time you enter characters unintentionally pressing Lights Out, or you disturb incoming call - is in the standby mode reject the joystick up, as you can then continue the interrupted input. When writing a message can quickly insert standard pictures and sounds, as well as information from contacts. There is another option nonstandard. If the message you sent telephones, they can be immediately put on contacts or use to select subscribers.

Call

This item menu traditionally includes information about the calls, as well as GPRS traffic. Each calls, you can find exhaustive information: his time, duration, date. Calls are sorted by type: incoming, outgoing, missed all calls. The organization realized very convenient.

Contacts

Phone book is organized at the proper level. Contacts with the SIM card from the phone and displayed in a list, which can be of two types: regular and attached a photograph of the subscriber, which appears on the right side of the screen. Contacts can be copied c SIM cards on the phone and back as well as to transfer via Bluetooth. To select the contact wheel can be used (which is quite handy), or use the quick search on behalf of the letters primary subscriber. To contact the highlighted at the bottom of the screen in the form of icons displays all information available about the subscriber. Learn it, we can mouse cursor on the icon. Each record includes a fixed number of fields: 3 rooms, fax, the group, melody, a tip. For most users, this should be sufficient. There are four predefined group, which has successfully supplemented its three. At a separate group, you can assign a photo call and melody.

Multimedia

In this folder there are programs that make up the luggage multimedia phone. Some of them we have already examined, the rest to pay attention later. While about “Recorder” You can talk now. The list is in the format of AMR. Of the options available only choice storage of records (phone, a memory card), and their duration (for MMS is not restricted). The quality recordings are not happy, because the words interlocutor, standing 1.5 metres further, it is no longer possible to deal with. And the level of noise is too big.

My folders

It is not difficult to guess that here opens the original file archive of  the phones. All of the available files are divided into folders, on the basis of its type. Accordingly, we have the following folders: “Video”, “Images”, “Sounds”, “Games and Applications”, “Other”. There is a separate access to the phone’s memory as well as to external repositories. For each folder available information on the date of creation, size, number of files in it. Same files can be sent via MMS, Bluetooth, E-mail, rename, copy or move. The images are presented in the form of pictograms, if they draw a telephone slowing appreciably. Here is the seat of the Java-based applications, divided into standard and downloaded. By the standard include two games: Formula-1 race and set the simplest games Mini Game World. Graphics both toy looks very outdated, and the games themselves are not much interest, but the user can draw the management of Formula One race car using as a navigational wheel steer.

Browser

There is a standard WAP browser v 2.0.

Accessories

In this punke accessing a menu item “favorite” applications and “Alarm clock, calendar, calculator,” “Note”, “The calculation of the tip,” “Time Zone”, “Converter”, “Stopwatch.”

Profiles

The phone has a 6 profiles, one of which - the regime “Not in the network.” Creating their profiles provided, but the existing setup is comprehensive. We can change the type of tones (ring, vibration, and vibration call, the call after vibration, quiet), the melody of the call, the volume of SMS-type signal (a call repeated calls, call and vibration, vibration, quiet), the melody of the SMS signal, the signal buttons, volume buttons, slider tone, volume effects, volume on / off switch.

Preferences

Finally, here you can set up your phone. Since most of your standard, we will not deal with them separately.

Camera

LG KE600 equipped with a 2 - CMOS camera with Auto-matrix. Run the camera is carried out in two ways: Long pressing the appropriate button on the right front or from the menu item “Multimedia”. To download enough 2 - x seconds, after which most of the screen turns into a viewfinder. Descent is possible when you press the shutter button on the camera or on the OK button. Relates to apparatus should be in such a way that index finger of his right hand does not cut eye lens, which is possible, given the location. A long inaction enabled economy mode and the camera is switched off, the phone switches to standby mode. On receipt of the finished photograph takes about 4-5 seconds - the time needed to Auto-worked, and the image has been saved. Automatic focusing is working quite correctly, and virtually no wrong. The screenshot will be immediately delete or send via MMS. Furthermore, the inclusion outbreak or timer can be set without going into a menu. To do so, provided shortcuts: “*” and “#”. They even bear the appropriate symbol. Also horizontal deviation joystick adjusted brightness images. The obtained images on the screen of the phone look very attractive, but not on the computer screen. If the shooting is far from ideal (for example, mixed lighting), the details are lost, and we often get a blurry picture. In this case Auto may help cool, but it does not always have the time, and a good shot can be lost. But when shooting portraits and static images, it simply irreplaceable. Macro mode of operation is also useful, but its scope is limited to 5 centimeters. However, and this is almost always sufficient.

Conclusions

LG succeeded in creating an attractive, in all respects, a product that will be interesting, especially to young people active and lovers of all new and technologically. Fans of design sophistication also not be disappointed. As for music lovers, they may be interested in a good quality of play, just functionality player will tolerate.

Pluses:

. Excellent quality.
. Dignified music playback on the phone.
. Interesting design.
. Good ergonomics.
. The unique sound.
. Not a bad functionality.
. The existence of “his” style.

Negative:

. Poo player.
. Minor problems with the camera.
. Small angles review screen vertically.
. Unsustainable scratchproof coating corps.