The WiGoMo supports MP3, WMA and AAC format audio files that, along with pictures and videos, can be loaded onto the phone using a micro SD card – not supplied – and the earphones connect to the WiGoMo using the mini USB interface. Sonically, the earphones OK, but not great. The handset will connect to the web, but with a WAP connection that takes several minutes just to load Google’s homepage, something most kids would soon lose patience with.
Best suited to younger mobile users
One redeeming feature is WiGo Chat – a nod towards video calling. It uses the WiGoMo’s second VGA user-facing camera to let kids record short video clips of themselves that they can send to other WiGoMo mobiles. Friends simply watch and then reply with a video clip of their own. It’s not true video calling, but it’s a start. Battery life was also pretty good, easily lasting a day with moderate to heavy operation and two days with lighter use.
Verdict
The WiGoMo is mainly concerned with keeping parents in touch with their kids in one way or another. It performs superbly at tracking location and scheduling functionality. Although the detachable beacon seems somewhat vulnerable, it is well-suited as a first phone for a younger age group. After all, given the WiGoMo’s lack of technical prowess compared to a budget smartphone, it seems likely that older kids will quickly get bored with it and probably leave it under the bed. ®
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COMMENTS
Breakage, removal... GPS implementation well off.
I'd echo some of the posts here - the fact it's external means that
- it'll get broken, the cable will snap internally eventually (or the kid will do it)
- The kid will just disconnect the thing when he/she doesn't want to be tracked
- it'll drain more power - if it was on-board it'd be easier to maximise battery life.
If the idea here is to try to use trust to get the kid to keep the thing on them, then fair enough but the GPS should still be internal.
The poor buggers who launched this must be a small team. Pity they seem to have fallen down the cracks between technologies so badly.
Battery life
What is it with battery life on phones over the past few years... I remember having an SE K750i that used to last more than 7 days with usage... It even got trodden on one New Year's Eve and soldiered on until not being able to read text messages rendered it useless
One problem here...
My (and probably most) teenagers woldn't be seen dead carrying this monstrosity...
cheap LoJack
I'd be tempted to bury one in the boot of my car, in case of theft.
Pointless
Why does this even exist? And an external GPS dongle? Really? Even the most basic phones are coming with built in GPS these days which work just as well and triangulation via mobile antena is fairly accurate too. If you have that little trust in your child then why would you even let them go out in the first place?
