LG Cookie Plus GS500 Preview

Introduction:

With over 10 million sold units in the 13 months following its market release, the affordable LG Cookie KP500 is the fastest selling cell phone of the manufacturer. LG introduced its successor, the LG Cookie Plus GS500 just before the official start of MWC 2010. The new cell phone comes with refreshed overall look and there are only few differences to the original Cookie in terms of specifications, but all of them are major. The new generation Cookie has gotten itself 3G, 3.5mm jack and microUSB port. The most significant changes, however, relate to its interface and functionality.

Design:

The LG Cookie Plus GS500 is made from the same plastics that feels pretty pleasant to touch as the KP500. Its overall look, however, has been altered and the phone is more eye-catchy than its predecessor. It is also a bit larger, but the difference is minor.



You can compare the LG Cookie Plus GS500 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

Yet again, the handset display measures 3 inches, features WQVGA resolution and utilizes the resistive technology. The buttons below it are now raised, have round shape and it´s not that we don’t like the decision of LG´s designer team, but they just don’t go with the overall appearance of the device equally well as in the case of the Cookie KP500.

We are happy to see the top side hosts 3.5mm headphone jack and that the manufacturer´s proprietary port has been replaced with standard microUSB that is mainstream with cell phones these days.

Interface and Functionality:

We have already mentioned that the most significant changes relate to the interface of the LG Cookie Plus GS500. Actually, the handset utilizes the same interface that powers the LG Pop GD510 and we have reviewed the software already. It´s colourful and allows for certain personalization. For an instance, there is a theme that is exceptionally well suited for kids, similar to the one found on the Samsung Corby S3650. The main menu can look just like that of any device with S-CLASS interface or sport larger icons grouped in separate categories like LG´s previous generation of cell phones equipped with touch-sensitive screens.

The home screen consists of three pages:
-    Widgets – most of them are fairly standard plus there is one that provides quick access to all applications dedicated to social networking;
-    Livesquare – something like a register of your latest calls and messages, but with quite an interesting functionality (you can read more about it in our review of the LG GW520);
-    Your favourite contacts with pictures.





Our prototype is not equipped with the Twitter, Facebook and My Space applications available with the LG Pop GD510. The main menu of the Cookie Plus, however, features a clearly visible icon for access to the mentioned programs, so we will tell you more about them when we have had the chance to test a final, retail unit of the GS500.

Given the particular performance of the 3-megapixel camera of the original Cookie, we doubt it that the Cookie Plus will be any better in terms of snapshot quality. The available options allow you to take your pick from an effect or two, change the white balance and turn on night mode, but that´s all. The video capture capabilities are also limited and the maximum resolution is QVGA.





The audio and video players feature pleasing design. They come with rather simplified functionality and neither of them offers anything more than standard options. As we have already mentioned and unlike the original Cookie, however, the Cookie Plus GS500 is equipped with 3.5mm headphone jack that will allow you to relish your favourite music and FM radio shows using earphones to your own taste.






Expectations:

After the huge success of the original Cookie, the sixty-four thousand dollar question is whether or not the LG Cookie Plus GS500 has what it takes to make it big? Will its novelty features prove to be enough to make is equally famous? There are quite a few affordable handsets equipped with touch-sensitive screens on the market today and the situation seems a whole lot different now. The LG Cookie Plus GS500 is expected to hit the shelves at the beginning of March, but its retail price has not been unveiled to date, so we just hope LG provides it with a price tag that indicates something competitive.