Never lose your child again: Teardown of the LG GizmoPal

Simplicity is what stands out when it comes to the LG GizmoPal, a child-tracking “kiddie phone.” The device is sturdy, long-lasting, and simple to use. It’s equipped with voice service, giving it an advantage over devices that only use GPS.

The two designs themselves are suitable for children: a blue one with cars and trucks and a pink one with stars. While there is no physical display, the front does have a single button and a microphone and speaker. To interact, you simply press the single button, which gives you the voice prompts. Thus, the device is ideal for young children who aren’t able to read yet. Additionally, there are nine size settings and a small snap that holds it in place securely.

The GizmoPal connects only two smartphones. If you’re trying to connect a network of babysitters and family members, this device is not ideal for you. The first adult is required to be a Verizon subscriber, and the second can be any Android or iOS user.

From the GizmoPal app, you can locate, watch, or check the device’s battery. Parents can set periodic alerts and also call it from their dialers as the watch has a standard number.

At 205.0 mm long, 36.0 mm wide, and 14.2 mm thick, weighing 42.7 grams, the LG GizmoPal is equipped with a Qualcomm QSC6055 baseband processor, CDMA RF transceiver, and power management. The button has a companion app with compatibility for phones and tablets running Android 4.0 or iOS 7 and greater. The device comes with 64 MB of mobile DDR SDRAM, as well as 128 MB of SLC NAND flash internal storage. 

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n (for A-GPS only), GPS, WPS (WiFi Positioning Service), and microUSB 2.0. Equipped with a 400-mAh Li-Polymer battery, the LG GizmoPal lasts up to two-and-a-half hours. It is available at retail for $79.99.

The full teardown report can be found here.