LG MUZIQ LX570

The LG MUZIQ, also known as the LX570, is a recent addition to Sprint's music phone lineup. Like LG's successful FUSIC, the MUZIQ combines a music player and a mobile phone all into one. Specifications for the MUZIQ boast audio features such as Bluetooth stereo, an FM transmitter, background music playback, and dedicated external music keys. With an array of dedicated music features under its hood (and on top), LG and Sprint are hoping to attract the attention to mobile audiophiles.

The brightly colored external 1.3" TFT (128x160 pixel) display that will show pertinent network and phone information. Just above that is the MUZIQ's 1.3 megapixel camera lens and, directly to its right, hidden until needed, is the camera's flash.

The overall design of the MUZIQ is very clean and simple. The top of the handset has a slightly protruding hinge that works well. The bottom of the device is free of any buttons or holes except for the battery cover release. On its right side is where you will find plastic covered headphone and microSD ports. Also on the right are the device's extremely thin dedicated camera and music access buttons, which are actually located on the flip top portion of the handset instead of the base. The MUZIQ's volume controller and charging port are found on the flip's left side.

The phone's microphone is well hidden between the number 5 and 8 keys, and the internal speaker is located just above the MUZIQ's large and colorful 2.2" TFT (176x220 pixel) resolution display.

The LG MUZIQ runs on Sprint's 3G CDMA network and uses EV-DO for data.

The LG MUZIQ is a multimedia powerhouse. The device can hold up to 4GB worth of music, or approximately 4000 songs, through its microSD slot, though it ships with only a 64MB card. The MUZIQ also supports streaming radio from Pandora and Sirius for those more fond of radio. Sprint provides its Music Manager software in the MUZIQ's sales kit.

The MUZIQ sports a 1.3 megapixel fixed focus camera with flash and offers video recording in QCIF (144x176) or sub-QCIF (96x128) resolution. In video mode, clips for video mail can be up to 30 seconds in length, and when in regular mode the MUZIQ will keep recording until it runs out of memory.

The main user interface is simple and user friendly. The phone comes configured with the MUZIQ theme active, which provides quick access to a snapshot of local weather and news, as well as quick links to Music and Send Text. The theme is pretty intuitive but not as responsive as the regular dedicated shortcut keys. There are other themes included. The MUZIQ's two softkeys are dedicated for Favorites and Contacts from the standby screen. Users can add the typical name and numbers to a contact and can also define a custom ringtone and photo for each record. Each contact record can hold up to 5 numbers per entry and the phone's contact system can hold up to 500 contacts.

The phone offers text and Sprint's picture mail messaging, along with voice SMS, chat, and IM support. Sprint and LG have also included push email service. This very cool program allows AOL, Windows Live, Yahoo!, and Gmail users to easily pick up email, and can work with regular POP or IMAP accounts as well.