The LG Optimus GT540 – Information & Advice

Over the past several years, LG has risen through the ranks of the cell phone market. Until recently, however, they have been reticent in entering the Android world. The company took its first steps in this area with the Intouch Max GW620 and have followed that device up with the LG GT540. Better known as the Optimus, it expands on the capabilities already found on the 620. Those new to the Android operating system as well as those who are already familiar with it will enjoy this phone. The Optimuss construction is of high quality plastic and presents a 3.2-inch resistive screen. It is not the smallest phone on the shelf, but it still easily fits in the pocket at 109mm tall, 54.5mm wide, and 12.7mm thick. Although some prefer the ease of capacitive screens to that of resistive, the screen on the Optimus is very responsive and accurate. Images receive the support of 320 x 480 pixel resolution and 256K colors. Powered by the Android 1.6 operating system, the Optimus also uses an updated S-class user interface. Call, menu, and messaging buttons are found at the bottom of one of two home screens. Available are the basic Android home screen or a customized LG version. The customized home screen offers some nifty features like the ability to access messaging whenever you wish as well as portions of the drag-up menu, widgets, folders, and shortcuts. UI is very friendly and affords the user the convenience of importing contacts from Facebook, Bebo, and Twitter. Your friends are only a touch away. The LG Optimus includes a 3-megapixel camera equipped with autofocus. Photographs are presented in 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. Face and smile detection are nice additional features. Those familiar with the LG Viewty Smart will already be comfortable with the camera interface. The camera also records VGA video at a rate of 17 frames per second. LG is aware that phones have advanced well beyond mere speaking devices and have created a powerful multimedia device with the Optimus. The player is capable of supporting both Xvid and Divx formats. LG has kept the music interface similar to that of its other phones, supporting an FM radio and an RDS feature complete with radio channels. Audio quality receives a boost with Bass and the Optimus provides 150 MB of internal memory. Though it is an early entry into Android technology for LG, the company has created a smartphone that capably handles the operating system and will please new users and prior owners of LG equipment. By keeping it somewhat simple, the LG Optimus is advanced enough to take advantage of what there is to offer but wont overwhelm those new to the world of Android-powered phones.