LG has gained quite a positive reputation over the years for quality electronics, which makes it rather surprising that they have only recently released a smartphone that utilizes the Android operating system. That phone is the LG GT540, or Optimus for short. It is the next step up from the GW620 which allowed LG to limit developmental costs and pass those saving down to the customers.
One improvement over the 620 that the Optimus presents is a QWERTY keyboard. This is appealing to those who prefer texting on a pad that is similar to the one on a computer. In order to accommodate the larger keyboard, the body of the phone is somewhat larger than similar models, but it still measures only 109 x 54.5 x 12.7mm enabling the user to tuck it away without a problem. The phone is constructed of a sturdy, lightweight plastic that doesnt add undue weight while carrying it around. A curved, smooth finish adds a sleek aesthetic to the Optimus that is pleasing to the eye.
Customers eyes are instantly pulled to the 3-inch touch screen that covers the front of the Optimus. It is a resistive touch screen rather than capacitive, but accuracy is still high and mistakes occur less frequently than might be expected. The displays resolution is HVGA, and coupled with the TFT display, it is quite good for a phone that carries a middle of the road price tag. The HVGA resolution is made up of 320 x 480 pixels and supports 256K colors.
Two kinds of homescreens have been included with the LG Optimus. One screen is that which is found whenever using the Android OS. The other is LG customized. This one offers customizable buttons at the bottom of the screen that grant access to messaging from any point during navigation. It also provides all of the shortcuts, folders, and widgets that customers are looking for. The theme of anywhere from three to seven home screens can be changed totally.
One drawback of previous LG smartphones has been meager battery life. LG has fixed this problem with the Optimus. The handset is equipped with a 1500mAh lithium-ion battery that provides 7 hours and 20 minutes of talk time and 500 hours of standby time. Most other smartphones can only dream of that level of performance.
Anyone looking to enhance their previous smartphone experience will be pleased with the LG Optimus. The handset comes complete with an alarm clock and a world clock. There is a voice recorder and a personal organizer for those on the go. Also included is a dedicated Youtube plug-in, a PDF viewer and just about any other application imaginable.
The LG Optimus may be new to the Android playing field, but it does not fall short of the competition. It is familiar without being a letdown to seasoned users and easy enough for new users to get used to the Android technology. The balance of advancements and simplicity along with the affordable price tag make the Optimus a worthy smartphone.
