It’s to be expected that we approach a particular subject with some pre-conceived notions and (usually logical) assumptions. In the case of cellphones, pretty much everyone has had some type of hand-held phone, especially here in the texting-mad Philippines. Directly proportional to the increasing number of cellphone users and cellphone savvy is an increase in what can be termed “high-end” cellphone units as prices go down, number of features go up, and cellphone users become more knowledgeable.

One of the most relevant features common in high-end units especially in 2008 is the touchscreen, previously found only on smart phones and PMPs that cost anywhere from P25 to P40+ K – a decidedly premium price point that underlined the touchscreen features’ premium status. Considering then the trickling down of technology and features from the high end to the accessible-to-the-mainstream, it was only a matter of time that someone create a phone with this most perceived-as-premium feature, in a unit that did not flatten your wallet. This someone was thankfully LG – with their release of the KP500, or whimsically nicknamed “Cookie”.

                                             Accelerometer functions complements the Cookie's touchscreen.

The LG Cookie displays LG’s mastery of the user interface earned after multiple releases of various touchscreen phones, such as the Secret, the Prada phone, and the Renoir. What we get with the LG Cookie is a fast and simple interface that brings to the fore the most usable features of a smartphone’s interface – features such as gesture-based navigation of pages, thumb-actuated large icons for the most important applications, touch-and-drag of icons, and customizable home screens. More important, the LG Cookie accomplishes this without the added heft of a Windows Mobile operating system, removing a whole layer of code from the essential user experience.

                                             Stylus is nicely concealed in the unit's base.

In effect, what the consumer gets is the essential smartphone / touchscreen experience presented in a sleek and fun way, helped along by the Cookie’s accelerometer and surprisingly responsive screen. Virtual buttons for navigation and quick access are well thought-out – the best example would be the smart “tabbed” jut-out that can be accessed to reveal icons for the most commonly-used programs. A similar tab on another “page” accessible through a simple “swipe” gesture can be configured to hold up to 9 names for quick access, plus the always-present “back” button and “settings” icon, used for changing anything and everything about the phone.

                                             The 3.0MP camera is adequate but suffers in low lightconditions.

The Cookie also continues the tradition of clean front panels for touchscreens, with only 3 buttons in front corresponding to the call, end, and an “applications” key that lets the user access favorite and currently running applications. Combined, these navigation items makes the Cookie accessible in a way no older touchscreen interface achieved, certainly not those early attempts at mimicking a smartphone interface on an “affordable” unit.

                                             Accessible expandability is a definite plus point.

The Cookie’s appeal isn’t confined to its interface, the unit itself is the lightest and slimmest full-touchscreen phone currently available, with dimensions of 106.5 X 55.4 X 11.9mm and a very anorexic 89g, less than your typical bag of nuts or candy, although the Cookie still has a certain heft to it that speaks of careful engineering and quality. What’s important to note with the Cookie is that its reduced size does not translate to the screen itself – still measuring a large 3 inches, with 240 x 400 pixels and 262k colors, the Cookie’s screen is expansive enough for even the big-thumbed.

                                             Power and sound output in one socket.

Sweetening the pot is a list of features that LG has deemed most-commonly-used – in other words, LG cut out the fat in terms of extraneous features that you will only use once or twice anyway (for most casual users that is – which is this phone’s target market). A 3 MP camera, video recording capability, music player, FM radio, an average-sized memory of 48MB (expandable to 8GB through the expansion slot that is not buried under the battery, connectivity that includes WAP 2.0, GPRS, EDGE, and quad bands – all these features are now considered “essential” for a non entry-level phone.

                                             The battery is a largish unit that can power the phone on standby for up to 350 hours.

Nice extras include a particularly hefty battery, Java 2.0 games that interact nicely with the accelerometer functionality, handwriting recognition, and even an extending stylus at the bottom of the unit.
The price of P11900 (SRP) evokes exclamations of surprise and wonder with most people, especially after all of the features mentioned above. Tempering this enthusiasm is a number of features not found on the Cookie – understandable compromises made in the name of better accessibility for the consumer, but nonetheless lamentable for such a good phone. The first thing one notices is the lack of a flash unit, as well as the lack of autofocus on the camera.

3G and Wi-Fi is conspicuous with their absence, especially since most buyers has been conditioned with the assumption that touchscreen phones = full featured connectivity. Connecting using EDGE or WAP 2.0 is an experience akin to watching snails race – though this is not really a fault of the phone. It is also a fair assumption that most smartphone programs will not be compatible with LG’s proprietary software – if tinkering is your thing, then this phone isn’t the right choice.

                                             LG Cookie packaging.

It’s no surprise that LG has come up with a marketing campaign centered around the “touch” concept – the touch generation, with the first affordable, full-features touchscreen that’s accessible to the masses. LG has distilled their long experience at making phones into a handheld device that comes up with what is in my opinion the best balance of features and price, all tied up nicely with the unique capabilities of a touchscreen – once only accessible to those willing to spend big bucks, but now easily attainable in the form of a well-executed, designed for the mainstream cellphone, the LG Cookie. Soon everyone will want a Cookie!

                                            Bundled items include a screen protector, charger, USB connector, headphones, and manual / CD drivers.