The bluff was almost perfect. We had presented the Optimus GT540, the new LG smartphone running Android, comparing its appearance with that of the Viewty, one of the biggest success of the brand. Indeed, with eg its rounded edges, the latest newcomer has the same family look. So, hastily, we thought they saw a metal box, like the Viewty. But the carcass, despite a successful imitation, appears to be plastic. The impression of brushed metal on the black model of the device under test is striking. But even plastic, design and finish of the GT540 are successful.
The aircraft, one-piece is relatively thin, with a thickness of less than 13 mm. The orders are the touch interface of the screen 3 inches. Apart from the press side buttons (on one side those that regulate the volume, the other one for the NPC and one for a quick search of installed applications or query on Google) and frontal (two for telephone calls and to return to the main screen). And just under the screen plus two touch buttons: one to open a context menu, the second for a flashback.
In practice, if the GT540 is in the range of ergonomic use, we regret the operation of the phone keys, used to terminate a call in show history, contacts …. None of the keyboard allows the emergence of call! It must go through an icon …
LG Optimus GT540 : strong multimedia
The LG Optimus GT540 retains some DNA of the Viewty, the performances of the NPC and his video camera were applauded. If the camera is only 3 megapixels (where others have 5 or 8), the still image quality obtained is satisfactory.
Besides, everyone knows now that a higher number of pixels does not guarantee better results. Proof: 3 megapixel photos of Optimus GT540 more convincing than those of a 5-megapixel HTC Hero …
Another source of satisfaction to be on account of that Optimus: the interface of its APN: clear, effective, short pleasant to use. Note however the lack of flash. And the quality just correct the images produced by the camcorder (definition 640×480). For cons, the device is capable of playing DivX files. And the display on the screen (HVGA 320×480 pixels, 262,000 colors) is even almost sublime. Bravo.
We also appreciated the quality of the audio player. Added to this is also the presence of a FM radio feature (the receipt or processing of the signal can be improved). So a device with multimedia assets, we believe, are above average.
Writing uncomfortable
The touch interface of the LG Optimus GT540 is cons below HTC Hero, Desire, and of course iPhone’s screen is resistive. This choice corresponds to a position voluntarily “midrange”, we were told at LG. And who should make the phone more affordable (300 € without subscription). Why not?
If the touch interface was responsive, allowing general browsing without penalty, for example, from one screen to another (without too much pressure on the screen) or validate their choices, the thing is less comfortable when s ‘act of typing the text of an email or another.
The keys on the keyboard are small. Even in horizontal position (note here the proper functioning of the motion detection and automatic switching between landscape and portrait modes). So, to type, it must certainly not out of the pen yesteryear. But we had to use fingernail to seek fairer and reduce typing errors.
To send emails often, the LG Optimus GT540 is not ideal.
Mail service to review
This is particularly unfortunate that, just for the email, the designer wanted to give it more safe. By adding to the compatibility with Exchange ActiveSync, which allows not only to synchronize email, but calendar and contacts smartphone with a remote server (eg an enterprise).
Added to that, this smartphone also boasts of LG Push. As its name suggests, is a push service: the emails received are duplicated on a server that is responsible in principle to send without delay to the smartphone.
We tried several times this service. With a free account for which we have given the pop and SMTP settings. And on behalf of a known mail service (ie Gmail and Yahoo.fr). In the first case, LG Push failed to configure. With the Gmail address, the configuration was successful. The mail account is loaded. But the new arrived with considerable delay (several minutes or more).
The configuration with Yahoo has not been possible, despite several attempts. Yet we did the test with another GT540, but nothing to do. In short, for now, the service LG Push (which does one account at a time) is disappointing.
An Android old, but well dressed
The resistive screen does not prevent us from having a pleasant Web browsing. With a magnifying glass to enlarge the area of desired page. And the possibility of keeping eight windows web. In short, conventional navigation system Android 1.6.
Yes, it is in version 1.6 that comes the LG Optimus GT540. Where others have milling or 2.1 … 2.0 Midscale, you say. But, and this is one of the highlights of the smartphone, the possibilities are real on this Optimus (name of the range that LG will reserve for its Android phones).
For, through the applications menu, it is possible, via the widget “Selector Home Screen” to move from the “configuration” Android to that of LG. And in this second case, the user can customize up to seven different screen! This recalls the overlay HTC Sense (the Hero), which offers the same number of customizable screens.
The configuration LG Home offers interesting widgets like this bar five commands that can directly activate WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, synchronization of data associated with Google (contacts, calendar) or change the brightness of the screen. Another improvement brought by LG: It is possible, in part applications (which is uphill and that includes all the widgets installed in his smartphone), group them by categories, separated horizontally. Just wanted to give the names created categories (eg GPS programs, Games, News, …) and to move the widgets in question.
All this, combined with multimedia features, helping to make this smartphone Android very pleasant to use. For if he had been confined to purely technical performance such as speed of performance, operation of GPS (with an average accuracy of Google Maps) or self (which does not take a day, as often with many existing smartphones), the Optimus GT540 would scarcely have been just a entry-level device. So, long live multimedia and personalization.
Plus : The multimedia features (video playback DivX files, radio, quality of the NPC, quality audio player …). The overlay LG Home (with up to 7 customizable screens and ranking widgets by category). Nice design and finish. LG Push Option for email. Beautiful screen. Motion sensor reagent
Less : non-capacitive screen, not enough light outside. Discomfort virtual keyboard. Lack of accuracy of GPS with Google Maps
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