Verizon Rolls Out Three New LG Phones

Verizon Wireless is hoping to fuel summer sales with the introduction of three new LG phones: the Dare, the Decoy, and the Chocolate 3.

This week might be all about the iPhone 3G—which isn’t even available yet—but Verizon Wireless wants customers to know it’s still in the game…and has three new handsets from LG to prove it. The LG Dare, LG Decoy, and LG Chocolate 3 are designed to appeal to multimedia fans, mobile professionals, and music lovers.

"These summer phones [..] offer our customers an array of applications, downloadable games, music and other content that is unparalleled in its variety and ability to enhance customers’ lifestyles," said Verizon Wireless VP and chief marketing officer Mike Lanman, in a statement. "By unveiling these devices now, we are giving our customers the opportunity to choose the device that’s right for them, backed by the most reliable wireless network in the nation."

Verizon isn’t releasing a ton of technical information on the new phones, promising only that more details will be available "in the coming weeks." The LG Dare offers a large touchscreen design with an integrated 3.2 megapixel, video-capable camera. The Dare will offer integrated image editing and decoration, as well as enable users to upload images directly to social networking Web sites. And, of course, for folks who can’t get enough media, the Dare will hook into Verizon’s V Cast Music and VZ Navigator mapping so users can get Verizon’s mobile content. Verizon has not announced pricing for the LG Dare.

The LG Decoy is aimed more at road warriors, and claims to be the first phone to integrate a hands-free Bluetooth headset into the design: the headset flips into the back of the phone for simple storage and charging. The Decoy also offers a five-direction joystick for navigating through phone features (and all that Verizon V Cast content and VZ Navigator mapping service). The Decoy will hit Verizon Wireless stores JUne 16; no word on pricing.

The LG Chocolate 3 is the latest edition of LG’s music phone: this one opts for a flip-phone style rather than the previous versions’ slider design, and includes an external control wheel and an integrated FM transmitter so users can push tunes to an in-vehicle audio system, boom box, or anything else that can pull in FM. The Chocolate 3 also sports dual speakers, Bluetooth, and 1 GB of integrated storage with microSD expansion. The Chocolate 3 also touts a 2 megapixel camera, and—naturally—supports all of Verizon’s V Cast music and video services. The Chocolate 3 should be available in July; no word on pricing.