Lg Optimus

joe_dunne

Hi all,

My brother is looking for a new phone and is considering this one

Lg Optimus on Meteor

I asked in-store about it and it comes with 1.6 on it.
Is it possible to upgrade to a later version?

If not does it seem like a decent price?

Thanks
Joe

p15574

I got this for herself last week, I think it's a great price for an Android phone. I believe it's getting an update in August - don't know if you can do it yourself. You should try it first if possible though - one slight disappointment was the screen - it's not as responsive as it might be, apparently (I know now) because it's a "resistive" screen unlike the more higher-end models. It means that swipes and stuff aren't as easy - sometimes when you swipe it interprets it as a click and starts an app up. Probably just requires getting used to.

However, I still think it's great bang for the buck.

joe_dunne

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

Joe
Bujinkan Portlaoise

Kevvv

Came here to make the exact same thread .. Good to hear about the possible android update. As for the screen you get what you pay for, if thats the biggest downfall of the phone I'll be quite happy with it

Edit: Could you let me know if your succesfull with updating the android software, thanks.

chrislad

It's a nice phone, and great value. Yes, it's not the best quality screen, but the next cheapest Android is the Sony X10 Mini (again, using 1.6) and that's nearly double the price at 260.

p15574

chrislad wrote: »

IYes, it's not the best quality screen

Regarding the screen, on the plus side, it has a good resolution (320x480), compared with other lower-end Android phones (E.g. HTC Smart, Sony X10 Mini: 320x240).

I was also very surprised to see that the HTC Smart doesn't come with WiFi, which the GT540, of course, does. I wouldn't classify a phone without WiFi as a Smartphone, so it's nice to see a good value package like the Optimus including everything a Smartphone should, even if some features are lower powered.

Gaspode

Just ordered this phone today, looking forward to getting it. I haven't had a new phone for over 3 years, and my trusty nokia 6020 is starting to fall apart at the seams!

David Power

Got mine today,

I was told that you can update the HTC andriod phones by "Setting the date forward". Has anyone heard of a simular method for this phone? Also, anyone here know more on the 2.1 update?

Dave.

GirlOfGlass

I got mine yesterday. It's pretty good so far. The only downfall is the screen, as others said.
I've been trying to connect it my laptop for ages though, and it just cant seem to make the connection, I've googled it and it seems a lot of people with LG phones have the same problem. Quite annoying as I can't seem to figure it out.

theteal

GirlOfGlass wrote: »

I've been trying to connect it my laptop for ages though, and it just cant seem to make the connection, I've googled it and it seems a lot of people with LG phones have the same problem. Quite annoying as I can't seem to figure it out.

this. i'm currently rooting one the lads new optimus' (the root itself is the simplest process of any android i've seen, couldn't believe it!) but i'm having terrible difficulty trying to find the drivers for it, it will not connect to my PC - can't complete the root process without connecting to ADB :mad:

the search for solution continues, i'll post if i source a fix

Cool_CM

theteal wrote: »

this. i'm currently rooting one the lads new optimus' (the root itself is the simplest process of any android i've seen, couldn't believe it!) but i'm having terrible difficulty trying to find the drivers for it, it will not connect to my PC - can't complete the root process without connecting to ADB :mad:

the search for solution continues, i'll post if i source a fix

Same. Quite annoying. Good phone though, so far!

GirlOfGlass

Apparently you have to download this before you have to do anything. http://www.lgmobilephones.com/softwaredownload.aspx
So I downloaded it, and it STILL isn't connecting.

David Power

I downloaded this and it gave me the option to download updates for the phone. At the time there was no update available.

Oh and I found if you calibrate the touchscreen with a pen (maybe the pen that came with the nintendo DS) the screen becomes much more accurate. Then again it could just be me. I'd be interested to know what you think.

In "SD card & phone storage" there is a tick box next to "Mass storage only" if you are trying to do anything with your phone other than transfer files this option needs to be un-ticked.

GirlOfGlass

I've installed the software update and it keeps repeating itself, It tells me it's installed successfully and then it goes and starts the whole installation again!
This is ridiculous, you'd think they'd just supply every phone with a disk that does all this.

David Power

GirlOfGlass wrote: »

I've installed the software update and it keeps repeating itself, It tells me it's installed successfully and then it goes and starts the whole installation again!
This is ridiculous, you'd think they'd just supply every phone with a disk that does all this.

Hey GirlOfGlass,

I was getting the same thing. I can at lease tell you that it eventually tells you something like 'Your device has the latest software and is up-to-date'. The update isn't available, I read it will be out sometime around the end of this month. Fingers crossed, I'd really like 2.1.

GirlOfGlass

David Power wrote: »

Hey GirlOfGlass,

I was getting the same thing. I can at lease tell you that it eventually tells you something like 'Your device has the latest software and is up-to-date'. The update isn't available, I read it will be out sometime around the end of this month. Fingers crossed, I'd really like 2.1.

Yeah I heard it's coming out sometime in August too.

But how on earth do you get files onto your memory card? Do you have to download the PC Suite too? Or can you drag files straight to the memory card from the removable disk option?

David Power

GirlOfGlass wrote: »

Yeah I heard it's coming out sometime in August too.

But how on earth do you get files onto your memory card? Do you have to download the PC Suite too? Or can you drag files straight to the memory card from the removable disk option?

Settings -> SD card & phone storage -> click "Mass storage only"

Doing this will turn effectively your phone into a USB drive. Un-tick the "Mass storage only" box when using the LG software (if it would ever work).

GirlOfGlass

David Power wrote: »

Settings -> SD card & phone storage -> click "Mass storage only"

Doing this will turn effectively your phone into a USB drive. Un-tick the "Mass storage only" box when using the LG software (if it would ever work).

I did that, tried dragging and dropping files in, but it just wont let me. :mad:

David Power

GirlOfGlass wrote: »

I did that, tried dragging and dropping files in, but it just wont let me. :mad:

Is it giving your any errors or just doing nothing?

GirlOfGlass

David Power wrote: »

Is it giving your any errors or just doing nothing?

It was just doing nothing at all.

I think (fingers crossed) that I have to PC Suite working now. Well it's connecting to the phone, so that's a start.

Thanks for your help, David.

David Power

GirlOfGlass wrote: »

It was just doing nothing at all.

I think (fingers crossed) that I have to PC Suite working now. Well it's connecting to the phone, so that's a start.

Thanks for your help, David.

Sounds good. What is the PC Suit for? I didn't see one online, mind you I didn't look for it either.

GirlOfGlass

David Power wrote: »

Sounds good. What is the PC Suit for? I didn't see one online, mind you I didn't look for it either.

I think it's just another variation to transfer files really. Not much different than just simply accessing the memory card, I'm just happy with whichever way works really!

Gaspode

I got mine yesterday, and I'm happy enough with it, except for the fact that the PC wont recognise it properly as a usb Mass storage drive, so I cant transfer files.

I'll try downloading the PC suite and see how it goes.

I found the screen tricky at first, but have the hang of it now. I've had a mess around on the iphone a few times and tbh I cant tell the difference in how the screen flick works.

David Power

Gaspode wrote: »

I got mine yesterday, and I'm happy enough with it, except for the fact that the PC wont recognise it properly as a usb Mass storage drive, so I cant transfer files.

I'll try downloading the PC suite and see how it goes.

I found the screen tricky at first, but have the hang of it now. I've had a mess around on the iphone a few times and tbh I cant tell the difference in how the screen flick works.

Hello Gaspode,

Press the 'Home' button then 'Notifications'.

Here you should see a new notification saying something like "USB Connected" or something like that. Click this notification to get a new screen that will allow you to 'mount' the SD card.

Hope this helps.
Dave.

Gaspode

David Power wrote: »

Hello Gaspode,

Press the 'Home' button then 'Notifications'.

Here you should see a new notification saying something like "USB Connected" or something like that. Click this notification to get a new screen that will allow you to 'mount' the SD card.

Hope this helps.
Dave.

Dave,
that's most helpful thank you, in business finally!
Cheers

David Power

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I just got mine today, I am very impressed to be honest. I was going to go for a higher price handset but I am glad I didnt.

Yes, for the price it's very good. My biggest problem with the phone is android's market. It's hard to find good apps on it. Your better off using Google to look for an app first.

Developing for Android seems easy enough too which is more than i can say for the iPhone.

David Power

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I have loads of photos and videos on my SD card, is their a file explorer or a way to view things on the SD card?

Hello LIGHTNING,

The method I detailed for Gaspode outlines the method used to view the files on the SD card.

Gaspode

Silly question time folks: There were various pieces of clear plastic on the phone when it arrived, presumably to protect it in transit after manufacture. I've removed most of these, but there is a also layer of plastic on the screen, should this be removed as well?

joe_dunne

Hi all,

p15574 wrote: »

I got this for herself last week, I think it's a great price for an Android phone. I believe it's getting an update in August.

Could I ask where you got this info from?
Thanks

Joe Dunne
Bujinkan Portlaoise

David Power

Gaspode wrote: »

Silly question time folks: There were various pieces of clear plastic on the phone when it arrived, presumably to protect it in transit after manufacture. I've removed most of these, but there is a also layer of plastic on the screen, should this be removed as well?

Not a silly question at all mate. There is a light film over the screen when you get the phone but there is also a thicker piece of plastic that looks like it can come off, you should not remove this layer (even though it looks like it can come off). It's a part of the phone.

David Power

joe_dunne wrote: »

Hi all,



Could I ask where you got this info from?
Thanks

Joe Dunne
Bujinkan Portlaoise

Hello Joe,

I've not come across an official announcement anywhere but lots of different forums report similar dates. This forum post (see links below) predicts a late August or early September date for the GT540 2.1 update. I e-mailed LG about a 2.1 update and was told they have no plans to update the phone. If you cant wait you can always Root your phone and put a custom Rom on it.

How to root your GT540: link Easy to root, not easy to install Rom

Forum that report GT540 update: link

Slunk

I am thinking about getting this phone but reading about the difficulties transferring files is a bit worrying. Is the SD card in an easy accesible place where it could be removed and put in a card reader without having to remove the battery or whatever to access it?

How are the pictures on the camera. I tend to use my phone as my main camera, currently have a SE 3.2MP which is pretty good with a built in flash. The flash is very handy. Whats the quality like on the Optimus in bright / low light?

Also, Ill be going to Oz soon, do meteor have to unlock it for free or will I have to go to one of those phone shops and pay?

.DarDarBinks

Hey lads, two questions.

Is there anyway of removing that annoying old fashioned clock?

Whats rooting the device mean?

Cheers

David Power

Slunk wrote: »

I am thinking about getting this phone but reading about the difficulties transferring files is a bit worrying. Is the SD card in an easy accesible place where it could be removed and put in a card reader without having to remove the battery or whatever to access it?

How are the pictures on the camera. I tend to use my phone as my main camera, currently have a SE 3.2MP which is pretty good with a built in flash. The flash is very handy. Whats the quality like on the Optimus in bright / low light?

Also, Ill be going to Oz soon, do meteor have to unlock it for free or will I have to go to one of those phone shops and pay?

1) Access the SD card using the USB cable is fine, you just have to tell the device if its to be used as a mass storage device or not, then mount the SD card when you plug in the phone (only takes a second). The SD card is just under the battery cover, you don't have to turn off the phone or remove the battery to get access to it.

2) It has a 3.0 MP camera which is the same as my Sony Ericsson W705 and preforms better than it. A 3 MP camera is never going to be that good to be honest. My experiences with Phone "flashes" isn't great, aren't they normally just a LED? Here is a photo i took in Waterford. It was quite dark at the time (see attached files).

3) I was under the impression that phone companies had to unlock their phones on request but I might be wrong.

David Power

.DarDarBinks wrote: »

Hey lads, two questions.

Is there anyway of removing that annoying old fashioned clock?

Whats rooting the device mean?

Cheers

Hello DarDarBinks,

Hold your finger on the clock for about 2 seconds, notices that you can now move the clock around and that there is a recycle bin where the on-screen menu button used to be. Drag the clock in there and it will be no more.

Rooting your phone gives you root access (Like root on Linux). Basically it gives you full access to the device so you can put a new OS on it. Rooting the phone is easy but putting new Rom's (images of other OS) onto it is not that easy.

Slunk

Thanks for the info, the K800i has a Xenon flash and its pretty decent. Also have a SE Aino with 12MP camera which is superb but its not an Android phone. Why cant I get the two together at a decent price

.DarDarBinks

David Power wrote: »

Hello DarDarBinks,

Hold your finger on the clock for about 2 seconds, notices that you can now move the clock around and that there is a recycle bin where the on-screen menu button used to be. Drag the clock in there and it will be no more.

Rooting your phone gives you root access (Like root on Linux). Basically it gives you full access to the device so you can put a new OS on it. Rooting the phone is easy but putting new Rom's (images of other OS) onto it is not that easy.

Thanks David

I dont actually have the phone just now but now knowing that I can get rid of that hideous clock i'm pondering it.

So would rooting your phone be similar to jailbraking an iPhone? What would be the advantage of rooting the phone?

Sorry if these questions seem abit stupid

Dar

David Power

Slunk wrote: »

Thanks for the info, the K800i has a Xenon flash and its pretty decent. Also have a SE Aino with 12MP camera which is superb but its not an Android phone. Why cant I get the two together at a decent price

Nice, those are basically cameras with a secondary phone feature. You won't like the picture quality on the LG GT540, not half as good as the K800i or the Aino.

There is the SE xperia x10, that has a 8.1 MP camera, not going to be the as good as your other phones but the xperia x10 is on Android. If thats to expensive there is this little chap. The xperia x10 mini. Nice phone imo.

You might want to wait a while for a good Android Camera phone. Have a look at this article. This phone might be for you (its just not available yet) link.

David Power

.DarDarBinks wrote: »

Thanks David

I dont actually have the phone just now but now knowing that I can get rid of that hideous clock i'm pondering it.

So would rooting your phone be similar to jailbraking an iPhone? What would be the advantage of rooting the phone?

Sorry if these questions seem abit stupid

Dar

In a way, yes. Jailbraking is primarily done to get the iPhone off of its first network while also giving you the ability to install custom apps. I don't know for sure but I don't think rooting "unlocks" the Android phone from its network. I don't even know if the phone is locked to begin with. It does give you the ability to install more applications (apps that use root access). Have a look at this article for information on why you might root your Android phone link.

Slunk

David Power wrote: »

Nice, those are basically cameras with a secondary phone feature. You won't like the picture quality on the LG GT540, not half as good as the K800i or the Aino.

There is the SE xperia x10, that has a 8.1 MP camera, not going to be the as good as your other phones but the xperia x10 is on Android. If thats to expensive there is this little chap. The xperia x10 mini. Nice phone imo.

You might want to wait a while for a good Android Camera phone. Have a look at this article. This phone might be for you (its just not available yet) link.

Was looking at the X10mini alright but Im still getting used to the touch screen texting on the Aino, I reckon the mini would be alot harder. That new X5 looks the business. Can only imagine the price when it comes out though. Would just like one device for all for travelling rather than carry a phone, mp3 and a camera.

Edit: Ahh i see the x10 mini Pro has an actual keyboard. Also a 3.5mm jack, poxy SE connection keeps breaking in my pocket so i get right ear only sound 5MP with flash aint so bad, best im gonna get all in i think. You may have helped me out here, thanks

David Power

Slunk wrote: »

Was looking at the X10mini alright but Im still getting used to the touch screen texting on the Aino, I reckon the mini would be alot harder. That new X5 looks the business. Can only imagine the price when it comes out though. Would just like one device for all for travelling rather than carry a phone, mp3 and a camera.

Edit: Ahh i see the x10 mini Pro has an actual keyboard. Also a 3.5mm jack, poxy SE connection keeps breaking in my pocket so i get right ear only sound 5MP with flash aint so bad, best im gonna get all in i think. You may have helped me out here, thanks

Good to hear it Slunk,

The x10 mini pro is a nice piece of kit alright. Is it worth the extra 100 euro? (compared to the LG GT540), I think so. If you have the 100 euro extra go with the mini. A full QWERTY keyboard, capacitive touch screen and a compact sexy design is worth the money IMO.

Have a look at this short review: link

Gaspode

.DarDarBinks wrote: »

Is there anyway of removing that annoying old fashioned clock?
Cheers

I love that analog clock! Different strokes eh?!!

At this point I'm very happy with the optimus, it has all I need at this point.
The camera is just OK, but that's not a problem as I've a bloody big Nikon around my neck a lot of the time anyway!

My biggest mistake so far with the phone was downloading that RoboDefense game, I'm bloody addicted!

David Power

Gaspode wrote: »

I love that analog clock! Different strokes eh?!!

At this point I'm very happy with the optimus, it has all I need at this point.
The camera is just OK, but that's not a problem as I've a bloody big Nikon around my neck a lot of the time anyway!

My biggest mistake so far with the phone was downloading that RoboDefense game, I'm bloody addicted!

+1

RoboDefense is very good. How do you buy it? I've not worked out how to buy things using the Android market.

Edit: You need a google checkout account.

Gaspode

I just downloaded the free demo version.

RaZzZz

hey lads.. anyone else getting a notification menu problem?? last week I received a text message and for some reason I couldn't read it so it's constantly on the notification menu and also when I activate the phone.. the 1 new message notification is active, it's really starting to bother me.

has anyone any solutions for this??

belle_09

Any idea how I figure out what is causing the phone to go online when I don't want it to. Looking at my account history online with Meteor is showing up charges for data usage every few hours. Can't figure out what is using my credit!

RaZzZz

I just realized this myself earlier.. I can't understand it tbh! ive nothing turned on! everything I could think of is turned off to preserve battery! strange..

Gaspode

Havent seen this problem myself (I'm with O2).
It's hardly your GPS something logging in?

I downloaded an app killer, so I make sure to run it before I'm finished with the phone.

Check also that the GPS functionality is turned off (from the notifications screen)

RaZzZz

I'm on Meteor hmm
well I have nothing logging in anywhere or anything syncing and GPS and wifi are all turned off! everything is unchecked

an app killer? :P what exactly does this do?

David Power

Your phone is still probably connecting to your mobile network to sync email, contacts etc.

Go to Settings -> Wireless controls -> (un-tick) Mobile network.

This will prevent your phone from using your 2/3G connection. Note: This will prevent you from sending / receiving picture messages.

If you want your phone to connect to the mobile network without synchronizing with your email do the following,

Go to Settings -> Data synchronization -> (un-tick) Background data & Auto-Sync.

RaZzZz

Thanks for the advice