Overview of the LG GT540 Optimus
LG GT540 Optimus may be the default reference for entry-level smartphones. It features a thin rectangular unit, and curved edges that talk about sophistication. Its shiny black frame commands elegance, that also comes in light colors – white and pink. This plastic phone weighs only 115.5 grams, with dimensions 109 x 54.5 x 12.7mm. The size is enough for an easy grasp, or perhaps a dunk inside any side pockets.
The leading panel is mainly engrossed in the 3″ resistive touchscreen. On the top in the center is the earpiece. Underneath the screen there are a mixture of hardware keys (Home, Call, End Call) and resistive touch-sensitive keys (Back, Menu).
The volume keys are located around the left side, as the Search key, microUSB port (hidden behind a plastic strip), and also the camera key can be found around the right side from the handset.
On top side the conventional 3.5mm audio jack is located. The hardly exciting 3megapixel camera located at the back has no lens covering, but considerately sunk and framed for protection. Upon taking out the battery cover, the microSD card is revealed. One great feature from the LG GT540 Optimus is that it handles microSD and microSDHC cards, even up to 16GB.
Features (8/10)
LG 55lw5600 Optimus comes with 3 homescreens, along with an extra one for widgets. It runs on Android 1.6, which is a little obsolete, but quite compatible to have an entry-level smartphone. The cool notification area is updated to 4 functions: Sound, Bluetooth, GPS, and WiFi. Some preloaded widgets allow real-time updates from social networks like Twitter and facebook.
The phonebook is designed with focus on social networking profiles. Each contact can be seen with complete info including name, photo, number, address, social networking profile status, latest shout-out, a call button, etc. A limited feature of importing contacts from Twitter, Facebook, and Bebo only helps make the unit just a little outdated. Nevertheless, it is better than nothing.
LG GT540 Optimus’ messaging system, including SMS, MMS, and Emails/Gmail, is extremely much up to par. The virtual keyboard can be tapped for composing messages, which will come in 2 options – phone dial pad/keypad, and the landscape QWERTY keyword, the default. The telephone also offers an accelerometer for screen auto-rotate.
The Media Player accommodates the music and video files. It supports DivX, XviD, and mp3 formats. The music file browser allows users to sort them by playlists, songs, artists, albums. The Radio with RDS provides a simple UI, which allows saving approximately 50 stations.
These days, a 3-megapixel camera isn’t notable at all. For that price the LG GT540 Optimus dictates, the low camera version is disappointing. It’s auto-focus, but no flash. Photos are required to become at entry-level quality too, nothing much to rave about. The video recording / camcorder feature manages up to 17fps. The standard is of the identical ‘good enough’ category.
Although it doesn’t support Flash webpages, still it carries the fundamental browsing functions like Back, Bookmarks, and New Tab amongst others, and extended features like Search, Select Text, Settings, etc. As though to compensate for its insufficient Flash support, the LG GT540 Optimus offers a pre-installed YouTube app.
Other common features thrown in are the calendar, alarm clock, voice recorder, and calculator. Google Maps are synonymous to Android packages, and the LG GT540 Optimus gets the voice-directed navigation version (US and UK models only).
Exploring the Android Market will divulge a summary of apps readily available for downloading, including arcade games, finance apps, etc. It may be sorted through Games, Downloads, and Applications.