LG's first Android phone was the InTouch Max, which impressed with its slide-out Qwerty keyboard, social networking features and low price. Dispensing with the keyboard and utilising a lower quality camera, the Optimus adds to LG’s growing range of Android handsets, and offers social networking features with a few other tricks …
This can't compete with HTC & Samsung iPhone killers at twice the price or with stuff like the Mini Pulse at half the price.
I mean the Pulse Mini has 2.1 now with fingers crossed for 2.2. OK an inferior screen but compensated by a more compact package with a stylus for the difficult bits. And while these screens may be cr*p to iPhone/Desire users - they are still a revelation to most Nokia users.
And that's it really - Android is a fast maturing OS with hardware coming down the cost curve. If you are going to compromise with what the Desire/Galaxy S offer today - then buy a real cheapie you can afford throw away next year when we may get 3.0 and better screens. You may end up with something better than the best today at the end of an expensive 24month contract. at lower cost. But not if you buy this.
I'm an iPhone user, have been since the original iPhone and very little could change that for me, but I've always been interested in the Android Market, so decided to get me a little Android nasty.
I bought this phone SIM free from a well known high street phone store a couple of weeks ago for £99.99 on PAYG (so somewhat cheaper than the review price), it also doesn't appear to be network locked which is a bonus, and came with a free 2Gb micro-SD card.
Android 1.6 is a bit old now, but I'm reliably informed (as are other users who have asked LG) that there will be a major update to 2.1 this month - it can't come quick enough.
The stock keyboard is shockingly bad, but if you install 'Swiftkey' from the Android Market (for free) you get a prettier (iPhonesque) and much more accurate keyboard.
So many of the cheap Android phones have a QVGA 320x240 screen with which a large number of Market apps will not work, however LG thankfully went with the 320x480 resolution.
Kinda glad to see that there are still resistive screened handsets coming out. I love Android, but also know folk who prefer stylus' to fingers for phone use.
Not having voice search is a phone thing and not due to having android 1.6. Xperia X10s have 1.6 and voice search.
I've never managed 20 days of battery life from my GT540, not even close. 3 days was my maximum without using it and everything closed. Someone must have added an extra zero to the end...
Dont forget, for standby time, you'd need to have PERFECT signal, and never move the phone. It uses a lot of battery when you move around cell site, and it looks for signal. Also perfect temp too.
You'd never, ever get the standby time quoted, but i think you might manage a week if you really never touched it.
People should just learn to accept, using the phone, if you get 2 full days, thats good. Charging is easy though, just plug it in before bed.
I've recently discovered a rather nasty scam being orchestrated by Mobile Phone companies and Smart Phones.
I've got a LG Arena locked to Orange which has Wi-Fi and 3G, etc. which you'd expect in a modern phone.
But whilst I can web browser via Wi-Fi or 3G and manually choose from these two options so I can web surf for no extra cost on my own private Wi-Fi connection. I can't do this with Email.
I am forced by a locked setting to use 3G if I want to read my email! I was flabbergasted!
I was wondering why my balance was quickly dwindling away as I sat on my own sofa reading my email thinking that because I had connected to my Wi-Fi that my phone was using it.
To my horror it wasn't.
A quick phone to Orange Support and they apologised and would get my balance refunded. A Support person would get in touch with me in 24 hours to 'sort my phone out'.
Well needless to say they didn't and I soon discovered why....
A phone call back to them 2 days later and they confirmed it's a 'feature' with many of their Locked Phones. You are forced to use 3G and not Wi-Fi to use the built-in GPS or email.
Nice little earner for Orange but it leaves a bad taste in their customers mouth once they find this out. Needless I'll not be buying Orange again.
Orange Support told me this was a common 'feature' offered by other Mobile Phone companies on Locked phones and I could now believe it...
Are these companies allowed to get away from locking a feature of a phone just so they can force you to spend more money with them?
Register
LG's first Android phone was the InTouch Max, which impressed with its slide-out Qwerty keyboard, social networking features and low price. Dispensing with the keyboard and utilising a lower quality camera, the Optimus adds to LG’s growing range of Android handsets, and offers social networking features with a few other tricks …
Got one
I've got one of these and I really like it, as it does pretty much everything I want from a phone.
For reference Argos have one on O2 for about £130 with 2gb card included...
cheaper
Not to sound like an advert, but £20 cheaper at CarphoneWarehouse, and the handset would be unlocked.
Neither Fish nor Fowl
This can't compete with HTC & Samsung iPhone killers at twice the price or with stuff like the Mini Pulse at half the price.
I mean the Pulse Mini has 2.1 now with fingers crossed for 2.2. OK an inferior screen but compensated by a more compact package with a stylus for the difficult bits. And while these screens may be cr*p to iPhone/Desire users - they are still a revelation to most Nokia users.
And that's it really - Android is a fast maturing OS with hardware coming down the cost curve. If you are going to compromise with what the Desire/Galaxy S offer today - then buy a real cheapie you can afford throw away next year when we may get 3.0 and better screens. You may end up with something better than the best today at the end of an expensive 24month contract. at lower cost. But not if you buy this.
Cheap but fun
I'm an iPhone user, have been since the original iPhone and very little could change that for me, but I've always been interested in the Android Market, so decided to get me a little Android nasty.
I bought this phone SIM free from a well known high street phone store a couple of weeks ago for £99.99 on PAYG (so somewhat cheaper than the review price), it also doesn't appear to be network locked which is a bonus, and came with a free 2Gb micro-SD card.
Android 1.6 is a bit old now, but I'm reliably informed (as are other users who have asked LG) that there will be a major update to 2.1 this month - it can't come quick enough.
The stock keyboard is shockingly bad, but if you install 'Swiftkey' from the Android Market (for free) you get a prettier (iPhonesque) and much more accurate keyboard.
So many of the cheap Android phones have a QVGA 320x240 screen with which a large number of Market apps will not work, however LG thankfully went with the 320x480 resolution.
For £99.99 you can't beat it really!
Is this 2006?
I couldn't be bothered to read after 'resistive touchscreen' and Android 1.6.
No wonder it's cheap. It's a 4 year old phone running a year old (though feels longer) OS.
Crap like this is giving Android a bad name.
Resistive
Kinda glad to see that there are still resistive screened handsets coming out. I love Android, but also know folk who prefer stylus' to fingers for phone use.
Not having voice search is a phone thing and not due to having android 1.6. Xperia X10s have 1.6 and voice search.
500 hours standby? More like 50 hours.
I've never managed 20 days of battery life from my GT540, not even close. 3 days was my maximum without using it and everything closed. Someone must have added an extra zero to the end...
standby
Dont forget, for standby time, you'd need to have PERFECT signal, and never move the phone. It uses a lot of battery when you move around cell site, and it looks for signal. Also perfect temp too.
You'd never, ever get the standby time quoted, but i think you might manage a week if you really never touched it.
People should just learn to accept, using the phone, if you get 2 full days, thats good. Charging is easy though, just plug it in before bed.
Prime?
Countdown to first Optimus Prime joke in 3...2...1....
Poor
Upgrade the screen and slap on Android 2.1 or 2.2 and it could have been a cracking phone.
Sticking with the Desire I think.
Happy User
Had my Optimus for around 8 weeks on O2 PAYG, paid just over £100 and I am very happy with the device and its a great introduction to Android.
2.1 due for release from LG soon apparently, that should tide me over until I get my next device.
Not diamond plated but
Well I looked at a diamond plated iPhone at £9,999 but decided to wait for the mk2.
This £99 unlocked 3GS type wifi GPS phone has me more than tethered.
This post has been deleted by its author
FM transmitter perchance?
My LG Arena has a FM transmitter which is useful in the Car.
Anyone know if this has that function?
Take care with Orange
I've recently discovered a rather nasty scam being orchestrated by Mobile Phone companies and Smart Phones.
I've got a LG Arena locked to Orange which has Wi-Fi and 3G, etc. which you'd expect in a modern phone.
But whilst I can web browser via Wi-Fi or 3G and manually choose from these two options so I can web surf for no extra cost on my own private Wi-Fi connection. I can't do this with Email.
I am forced by a locked setting to use 3G if I want to read my email! I was flabbergasted!
I was wondering why my balance was quickly dwindling away as I sat on my own sofa reading my email thinking that because I had connected to my Wi-Fi that my phone was using it.
To my horror it wasn't.
A quick phone to Orange Support and they apologised and would get my balance refunded. A Support person would get in touch with me in 24 hours to 'sort my phone out'.
Well needless to say they didn't and I soon discovered why....
A phone call back to them 2 days later and they confirmed it's a 'feature' with many of their Locked Phones. You are forced to use 3G and not Wi-Fi to use the built-in GPS or email.
Nice little earner for Orange but it leaves a bad taste in their customers mouth once they find this out. Needless I'll not be buying Orange again.
Orange Support told me this was a common 'feature' offered by other Mobile Phone companies on Locked phones and I could now believe it...
Are these companies allowed to get away from locking a feature of a phone just so they can force you to spend more money with them?
Maybe The Register could sniff this out?