LG Optimus Spirit – A World First
Filed under: Android, handsets, LG, mobiles, Optimus Spirit
The LG Optimus Spirit smartphone – Telstra’s new prepaid Android handset – was just launched – and guess what? Telstra was the first carrier in the world to release it.
Exclusive to Telstra, this Blue Tick Android 2.3 dynamo is being billed as the “next generation in social communications”.
A bold claim – but does it deliver?
The Spirit allows you to update Facebook and Twitter simultaneously via the one touch access widget – LG Social +™. A single click will let you multitask between updating your status on Facebook and Twitter – whilst reading your friends’ latest social media postings – all on one convenient screen. LG Smartshare ™ lets you share your favourite photos, music and videos to a large screen DLNA compatible device.
What is DLNA?
DLNA – Digital Living Network Alliance – was established by Sony in 2003. Its aim was to group consumer electronics and computer companies to ensure the interoperability of home networks. DLNA has over 250 member companies now covering the computer, consumer electronics, mobile phone and service provider community. It uses industry standard technology including IP network protocol, Wi-Fi protocol and UPnP transfer protocol, and has now certified over 9000 different devices. According to Wikipedia, an estimated 440 million plus DLNA certified devices have been installed in users’ homes. (See dlna.org for some great and easy to understand videos on DLNA)
LG have focused on ease of use and ease of setup with the Optimus Spirit. You can customise the user interface, set up your home screens, organise your apps, and stay online longer thanks to the extended battery life. The Spirit’s 1500mAH battery packs some punch. Depending on your location and other activities happening on your phone, you should be able to get up to 420 mins of talk time and 480 hours of standby.
There are a lot of Android devices on the market, but I must say that setting up the Optimus Spirit was one of the easiest I have used. Powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) software, and sporting an 800MHz processor, I had no trouble downloading games and other files from the Android Market, synchronising my contacts (from Gmail), and getting my Facebook page on screen in minutes. Mobile FOXTEL from Telstra programmes loaded smoothly and there was no delayed buffering on the shows I watched. I also found the onscreen keyboard layout easy to use when sending emails and text messages. The built in FM Radio played well indoors.
Let’s face it – there are larger and faster Android handsets out there, but as an entry level, prepaid smartphone, the LG Optimus Spirit will be a popular choice and certainly can stake the claim as the “next generation in social communications”.
Specifications:
- Android 2.3
- 800 MHz processor
- 3.2” capacitive touch screen – HVGA (320 x 480)
- 3 megapixel camera
- HSDPA 3.6Mbps peak downlink rating
- Telstra Blue Tick Coverage
- Weight 122g
- Dimensions 113.5 x 59 x 12.1mm
- Supports up to 32GB expandable memory MicroSD card
- Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi hotspot, MP3 player, FM Radio, Speakerphone
- DLNA
- Exclusive to Telstra (network locked)
Looks like an iPhone 3G, hardly mind blowing or market leading, and as for next generation in social communications – get real… oh and to top it all off, it is an LG – no thanks, though the only thing that is going for it is the price… but its an LG so that already makes it next to worthless so still probably too high a price.
So from what you are writing, I gather that you haven’t actually used this Phone, so why the criticism, pay too much for your iPhone?
I have this phone, works really. Who really wants to pay mega-bucks for a phone when this one does just about everything. Nothing wrong with LG, I have used there stuff for years with no problems at all.
does this phone have a sim card im after a phone for my 11 year old nothing dear he listens to music and to use for emergency’s
I have purchased this Smart Phone from Telstra in the past week, and I am more than happy with it’s performance. It doesn’t cost the earth like some Smart Phones, but it does everything most people will ever need.
As far as LG being a quality brand, I have used LG products for a number of years and have never had a problem with any of them. I paid $149 for this Phone, which is pretty amazing for such an advanced Smart Phone!
jwright, thanks for your thoughts. I must point out that as someone who has evaluated, used and/or purchased most manufactuerers handsets over the years, I cannot agree with your ascertion that “but its an LG so that already makes it next to worthless so still probably too high a price.”
I will only make a few comments here:
1. “but its an LG……” – from personal experience, I purchased an LG TV and home theatre system, as did other family members over the past three years. I also have several LG phones that I use.
2. “probably too high a price”. $149 for an Android device is good in my books.
I try through these blogs to provide useful information to assit in the buying decission for new technology. I do not write about something I have not tried. And I definately try not to put down a supplier or their products.
can you purchase a car charger and protective case for this phone?
I own one of these phones and have had difficulty finding one. I have looked at various phone specialists and Telstra stores but havent had much luck. But i think a car charger may be easier to find, as it is not a specific charger for that specific phone. If you are looking for a case i think a generic phone sock might be your best bet.
I bought it. Had fun ’till i payed to unlock it, cause i’m in europe at the moment, but telstra wasn’t able to unlock the phone, what’s even more dissapointing, that i’m not able to recharge over the internet (in my account) cause this service dosen’t work as well. Means even a good phone dosen’t make fun when the service’s / support not working
Phone works OK, and is a good price.
But I only get 55 hours standby battery life. And I have not loaded any apps at all. Indicator said “Maps” was using it all — probably a lie — but after a reboot that went away and the phone still only lasts 55 hours.
I suspect an Android problem.
Have you turned off background data in accounts and sync settings? This could help extend the length of battery standby.
Background data does not make much difference, nor the battery saving utils.
What did make a difference is turning off Data Enabled totally. Then I get several days battery life. No idea why. WiFi is on, and I turn on Data Enabled just when I need it.
It is amazing that my old dumb phone got 6 days on a tiny battery, yet smart phones struggle on huge batteries, given that not much smart stuff is being used.
I bought this phone because it had the Telstra blue tick. The phone itself is fine for the cost but I’ve been very disappointed with reception quality. The other two ‘blue tick’ phones we have in the house can both be used inside, the LG Optimus Spirit doesn’t get reception inside, so I feel that it shouldn’t have been given blue tick status – wouldn’t have bought it if I’d realised it wasn’t up to scratch in this area. Not sure who I need to address this too, any suggestions?
Reception quality is my main criteria for purchasing any phone. Have you had any feedback regarding this?
I have a Toyota Corolla (2011) and my current Telstra phone does not connect to the Blue Tooth – can I be sure that the LG Optimus Spirit will do so??
Hi Sylvia, you can click to ‘Ask the Crowd’ in a forum or you can go through to our ’24/7 Facebook page’. There are two options to contact us here as these links get you straight through to people who can help – you’ve come through to our corporate blog site here and I’d highly recommend using one of these new avenues to get directly in touch with Telstra about a specific product issue. Brendan
What did make a difference is turning off Data Enabled totally. Then I get several days battery life. No idea why. WiFi is on, and I turn on Data Enabled just when I need it.
How do I do this?
my phone has been disabled and need an email for it ,its called a google account or something like that need a email for it someone help
How do I set this phone to enable me to send pics I have tried but it takes forever so I end up deleting it
Hi Anne. Thanks for contacting us via our blog. The best way to contact Telstra for a service/product query is to click onto the ‘Ask the Crowd’ or go to our 24/7 Facebook page on the top right hand side of our blog where you’ll be directly linked to one of our online customer support consultants. You can also get support via Twitter @telstra.
I accidentally changed the default home screen on my phone and I don’t know how to change it back, does anyone know how?
I need to know how to tether this phone to my laptop, to use it as an internet connection – I tried and could not get the internet.
Bought this phone for blue tick as live in rural area – worst reception I’ve ever had, particularly inside. Never had this issue with any other blue tick phone. Have also had constant issues with internet access, sending pics and default home screen not coming up. When I asked at Telstra shop about these issues was told I must have accidentally changed settings. That’s a bit hard to do when the phone sits on the shelf all day because it doesn’t get reception!