Race Telcom WiGoMo One

The mobile phone for overprotective parents

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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