Smartphone Review & Visa Gift Card Giveaway!


In this house, we’re a bunch of geeks technology aficionados. Ken buys gadgets like I [would love to] buy shoes. As I type this, he is playing with his newest gadget, a micro reverse adapter for his camera lens that allows him to take crazily close-up photos.

So when BlogHer gave me an opportunity to review the latest LG Connect 4G Android smartphone from MetroPCS, I knew my family would enjoy testing it out.

MetroPCS smartphone

Although we’re more familiar with iPhones, the LG Connect 4G has some seriously cool features, including a crystal-clear 4î touchscreen great for viewing pictures or video and doing some online browsing — or blog reading! It has a big brain in its little package: a 1.2 GHz processor, which is powerful enough for using multiple applications at the same time. Since we’re photographers, we do have professional cameras, but they are too big to carry around all the time. Most of our in-the-moment photos are taken with our cell phones; the LG Connect 4G is ready for photo-taking with a 5 MP rear camera and a front facing camera. (If you, like me, have ever tried taking pictures of yourself with only a rear camera, it is far more difficult than it seems, so I like having the front facing camera!)

For a limited time, MetroPCS is offering the LG Connect 4G smartphone for $249 (+ tax and after instant discount and mail-in rebate). MetroPCS has one of the most affordable plans out there and is the only no-contract service provider offering 4G LTE service. They also allow you to choose any plan you like and change devices or plans any time to fit your needs.

We first gave Brandon a cell phone when he was 14, but that was because he lived mostly at his mom’s house, and it was often hard to get in touch with him. When we met Lindsey at age 14, she came with a cell phone; we felt that was too young but didn’t want her to feel as though we were taking everything away when she’d first moved away from everything and everyone she had known. Kathryn is almost 12, and we’re not planning on giving her a cell phone anytime soon, but I have a hard time deciding exactly what the magic age is for a cell phone. One of my friends has an “extra” cell phone that she gives her daughter only on days when she’s in homeschool enrichment classes so she can easily contact her mom in case of emergency. We’ve considered doing something like that as well, especially since we no longer have a home phone.

What age do YOU think is most appropriate for kids to have a cell phone? Answer this question in the comments, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card! (See rules below for details.)

Rules:
No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 8/20/12 – 9/20/12.

Be sure to visit the MetroPCS brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!