Panasonic Flagship sink or swim? (Panasonic GD87 Vodafone Live)

Member Name: Kotimana

Product:	Panasonic GD87 Vodafone Live
Date:	23/02/03 (3272 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Large full colour TFT screen, Power on/off timed feature

Disadvantages: Battery life could be better, No 'free' altert service

Overall I was very impressed with the specifications of the phone and although it lacks the more up to date Bluetooth technology you need the cash to buy those expensive extras to benefit from this feature anyway. Infrared comes by means of a port on the front face of the phone, below the camera. This means easiest connection to a laptop would require the phone to be kept open.

The first thing you will notice is how easy the menu system is to navigate. Easy thumb operation of the directional and select keys takes no time to get used to. The initial animated graphical menu has nine icons which by default starts on the centre one for camera activation, you may never need this option as there is a camera option on the main display by pressing the top right, usually cancel, button.

The phone is fully configurable, to a degree I was not entirely expecting. The group ring tones and graphics are standard these days but would you expect a timed power on/off setting? Full colour images of the people who you are calling or are calling you is pretty smart and the ability to pass contact information between compatible handsets will appeal to most. Voice dialing, I always look for, also includes voice memo for those little things you think of and want to remember.

Only one pre-installed game, sheep herding, sounds strange but its fun for a while, downloadable Java games are available through third parties not yet on Vodaphone. Wallpaper and ring tones are also available but as yet only the wallpaper is available directly from Vodaphone at the time of this review. The sound output is crisp and clear making the polyphonic ring tones a pleasure to listen to, the default tones are ok, but I am sure the search will be on soon for some more distinct, personal tones will begin.

Your pictures, downloaded wallpaper and tones are all stored in a data folder and are easily accessed. As for the photos you take there are several effects and frame
s you can apply to the image to liven them up. The digital zoom works well for those close ups of your favourite things.

The expected battery life takes a drastic dive when using the online features; this is to be expected but a little disappointing. Took my phones on time down to two days, with minimal use of the service and power off between 10pm and 7:30am. As a phone only it does perform to the expected standby time.

Don't rush out and buy the flash looking carry case either, I did and needed to modify it radically. The plastic sleeves that hold the phone in the case hold the phone in place well however they also prevent the phone from closing properly and will most likely lead to unnecessary battery drain, as was the case with mine.

Please note that buying SIM Free is not as attractive as it sounds as many of the phones
features require more than the standard PAYT sims are not enabled for WAP, GPRS...check with provider before making your purchase.

Full technical specifications can be found at the Official Panasonic webpage http://www.panasonicmobile.com/frame/e_eng.html

As for the Vodaphone Live service, nothing could be simpler. The handset comes pre-configured so there is no need to spend ages looking for setup instructions, just connect and go surf. You can also configure e-mail via the Vodaphone site to a number of accounts which are then listed as options when you logon to the WAP site using the phone.

A small complaint is there are no free SMS alert services that are not charged at an unreasonable rate. I know that this is now the normal thing but I was previously on a PAYT provider that did offer free alerts, I will miss them. 24 pence per incoming text, if you were getting daily news/entertainment/sport alerts would soon raise your costs considerably.

Summary: