Untapped Potential of the LG-Vu 915 & 920 Cell Phones by AT&T
By source1
My rants about the new LG-Vu and what it could do
So I bought an LG-Vu 915 phone in August from AT&T. I dumped my long standing relationship with Sprint because of a huge dead spot in my home town, where I work, and where my parents live. I was formerly in love with the iPhone, then completely stolen away by the fantastic Samsung Instinct by Sprint, but ultimately drawn to AT&T by the LG-Vu.
I was on the waiting list for the Samsung Instinct, and I could not wait to get my hands on that cell phone. It had everything that I wanted, except a wide screen like the iPhone. I figured that would be a small sacrifice, considering that I would get a haptic response screen, a standard stereo headset jack, and a removable memory card.They had me at hello.
But right at the time that I was at my high point of frustration with 3 strategically placed dead spots in the Sprint coverage area (it's a conspiracy, I know Sprint did this just to make my life difficult), I decided to pay the AT&T store a visit and at least test drive the LG-Vu.
I immediately fell in love, again, with yet another smart phone. This time, it would last. It was love at first... vibrating touch. The haptic screen felt better than the Sprint Instinct, which seemed to over-vibrate. Plus, the LG-Vu seemed less plasticy, which is a word that has emerged purely from comparing phones that don't have the glass screen of the iPhone. No, the LG-Vu didn't have a glass screen, but it seemed much more solid in my hands and less toy-like, which is how I felt when holding the Samsung Instinct.
So I broke my relationship with Sprint, and I made the move to AT&T, getting the LG-Vu phone for free (which was another decision-making difference) with a 2-year contract.
Now that I have had the phone for a few months, I do love the handset, but I am saddened that AT&T has completely ignored the potential of what they can do with this phone. I want a plethora of applications, like the iPhone that seems to have an unending stream of 3rd party developed programs that are wild and captivating. But what can I get with the LG-Vu? Nothing.
The phone will run Java applications, which means that it has an almost unlimited potential, but the majority of Java applications will not run on the phone. They've locked it out from most 3rd party developers. I have only found 2 applications (one from Yellow Book that comes with a map, and a poor file utility) that are Java-based that my phone will even let me install.
I can't get any Microsoft applications, much less a spreadsheet clone. I can't get any of the cool iPhone clone menus, much less change the menu system at all. I can't change up the way that photos are stored to the phone memory instead of the memory card directly. The biggest letdown of all, I can't read PDF files, and that really hurts.
I'm paying an enormous amount of money for my monthly contract which includes unlimited data. After asking most iPhone users, I'm paying the same amount or slightly more that what they are paying, but I am missing some very basic elements that the phone is CAPABLE of having, but AT&T doesn't seem to have the inclination to develop.
There are several dorky bugs that can be fixed with a software update. Sometimes the screen will give spurts of vibration while you are talking. It happens once every 10 phone calls, for no apparent reason. I've discovered more quirks that users have found frustrating, but I won't delve into them.
Then there are the obvious design faux pas that could be immediately fixed if AT&T would at least listen to the current LG-Vu owners. My biggest annoyance is the fact that the screen automatically locks after a few seconds when you are on a phone call. If you are calling a number that has a touch-tone response system, you constantly have to keep pressing the unlock button, then the keypad button just to get to your number screen.
I think this was someone of a good idea for those that don't want to accidentally press buttons with your ear, but why not give the option to turn this feature off for calls you make that you know will require using the keypad? And how about speakerphone? Did it ever occur to the designers that the auto-locking feature should not be engaged if you are using speakerphone? Obviously, if you are on speakerphone, the device won't be pressed up against your face (unless you are hard of hearing or trying to damage your eardrum).
With the shortcut feature, you get 8 shortcuts on a bar that floats in the middle of the screen. However, you don't get to decide on which shortcuts you get. They pick them for you. Also, it gives you the impression that you can move the icons off of the launch bar and drop them on the screen, but when you turn them loose, they don't provide a shortcut. Why not allow icon shortcuts, or at least the ability to modify the shortcuts that are provided on the shortcut bar?
It's frustrating. I want to see the full potential of this phone unleashed. I want to see a flurry of 3rd party developers release applications for this device, and I want to see the operating system unlocked from its rigid, unalterable form.
Last but certainly not least, I want to hear from AT&T. I don't want to get involved in any more chat room discussions, because it is fruitless and pointless. LG-Vu users complain about the same things, but no response is ever given by AT&T. I have made several phone calls to AT&T only to be told that they don't know what is going to happen in the future with the phone, and that there are no updates to be given at the time. Then I am forwarded to LG Electronics and given the same runaround. No answers to problems, no news for software development, no future plans to give. Oh, but they conveniently refer back to AT&T and suggest that I speak with them about the same issues they pushed off on LG.
Just to make sure the authoritative figures in the world of AT&T get my main points, I will provide the executive summary of my gripes with the LG-Vu 915 (and 920):
- No turn-by-turn GPS like the Samsung Instinct
- No standard stereo headphone jack like the Instinct
- No way to put shortcut icons on the screen, or modify the existing shortuct bar
- No modification of the operating system functionality
- No 3rd party applications have been developed
- No software updates have been sent as of yet
- No indication that AT&T even cares to develop anything new for this handset
- No way to save photos directly to the memory card
- Several obvious bugs reported by users in forums that have not been addressed by AT&T which need to be fixed immediately
- No application included to read standard PDF files
- The totally frustrating feature that locks the screen after 2 seconds of time has passed when you are on a phone call (this is the most idiotic annoyance)
- The fifty buttons you have to press to get to the voice command feature
- No information given by AT&T on what they intend to do in the future for this handset
In closing, my wish is that AT&T would give this phone at least 1% of the attention and effort they have put into the iPhone. I'd be so happy just to know that they plan on doing something other than sitting and rubbing their heads about the LG-Vu issues while basking in the light of the successful iPhone project.
I will know that this article is successful when I see an AT&T response. Thus far, there have been no responses to my obvious cries for help on other social networks.
Suggestion to AT&T: Study Dell's new standard practice of immediate response to social network posts about product related problems and issues. It will only make your company more successfu in the long run.
12-10-08 UPDATE!
I had a visitor post a message suggesting that I should direct my complaints/questions to LG Electronics, and not AT&T. I did not publish the comment because of an insulting remark that was included, and for the reason that I have already gone that route.
I contacted LG Electronics FIRST, and asked each and every question listed above. They had no answers, and told me that I needed to go back to AT&T and direct my questions to their technical support staff or customer service department. Of course, that was a fruitless attempt to getting my issues resolved. However, I would like to take the opportunity to tell you about the things that I AM happy about with the LG Vu, and why I have not thrown it against a brick wall like a major league baseball in the bottom on the 9th inning. Here are the good things...
It's all about the TV selection. The LG-Vu has all of the major television stations. I can watch clips of a wide variety of shows (and even entire episodes on occasion) whenver I want. My favorite is the CNN News Update. It only lasts about 3 minutes, and I believe they update it on the hour.
I have watched shows on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, FOX, and even Telemundo! Right now, as I type this article, I am watching highlights of the Nicks vs. Nets NBA game on ESPN. The only downer is the fact that you cannot watch NFL game highlights. Sprint evidently has the NFL tied up in a contract, so the only footage you get are commentators talking over static NFL game pictures.
Overall, I think the quality of the video on the LG Vu is superior to the video offered by Sprint on the Samsung Instinct. So this is a huge benefit, and has been the biggest satisfaction factor for this handset. If it had not been for the great television content, I would have returned the phone within the first 2 weeks.
One other great benefit that I just discovered today is the possibility of tethering my LG Vu cell phone to a laptop for internet connectivity. A friend of mine just showed me today that he is connecting his laptop to his Palm 755 through a service that he paid a 1-time fee of $37 which allowed him to download a software interface that has a "connect" button on the screen. When he hits "connect", the Palm 755 will connect to the laptop via bluetooth, thus sending internet data at 3G speeds. He reported speeds upwards of 2 megabauds, which is very impressive considering it is coming from a cell phone.
The only catch is that you better have an unlimited data plan, and a good battery. Since you will be surfing on an external device, you need an unlimted data plan to make it affordable. Also, you have to watch your useage because there are reports that doing this could put a strain on your handset battery. But if you are already paying the outrageous price for unlimited data and 3G internet service like I am, this is a no-brainer and a great way to get the most out of your 3G service plan.
I'd like to hear comments from people who are already using a tethering service as to the speed and dependability of the connection, and what type of laptop you are connecting to. Also, please report on how this affects battery life, and if plugging the device up to the power supply will avert any battery dammage.
Again, all LG-Vu users out there, sound off! Please post a response! I'd love to hear your reaction, observations, ideas, or suggested solutions
January 1st 2009 Update
I have 2 items for this update. First, I find it hard to believe that nobody from AT&T or LG has contacted me about this page. If I were to post a hub about Dell, or Cisco, or HP, I would have had a customer service rep contact me within a day asking what they can do to make the situation good. I haven't heard much news on AT&T as far as social media monitoring. I'd recommend that they look into it before they get left behind by their competitors.
Second, I have an excellent discovery that is a plus for the LG-Vu 915 or 920 phone. If you have a Netbook or Notebook computer and you don't want to pay the extra $60 per month for an air card, you should look into 'tethering'.
Tethering is the new term for streaming your 3G internet from your smart phone to your Netbook or Laptop computer via bluetooth connection. You can have high speed internet without the fee. As expensive as these smart phone 3G plans can be, this is a great idea to get the most out of your money. I have heard reports of people getting speeds of up to 2 megabaud by tethering their phone and laptop. That is an amazing connection speed considering you are using your cell phone
For those that talk on their phone constantly or use their cell as their primary telephone, this might not be a good idea. Plus, when you tether your phone and start streaming your 3G service, you will drain your battery rather quickly. But if you have your power cord handy and you don't need to have your cell phone surgically connected to your ear 24/7, this is an excellent idea.
I have not tried this myself as of yet. I am in the market for a Netbook computer since my Sony Vaio died last month. The power supply poofed, and the hard drive crashed within one week. Anyway, once I get my first Netbook computer, I will use my LG Vu to stream internet service to the computer.
A friend of mine owns a Palm-based smart phone, and he bought a downloadable program that runs on the phone to start the 3G stream. He paid a one-time fee of $37, and that's it. When he wants to tether the phone and laptop, he launches the program and presses the "connect" button on the cell phone screen. The phone then sends the signal that is picked up by the laptop bluetooth receiver. He said his internet speeds are incredibly fast, and he is very satisfied.
I will write a full report once I have bought my Netbook and test the method out using my LG Vu. If this works, this will be a huge positive for this phone, and it might make me temporarily forget all the shortcomings.
April 10, 2009 Update!
Using the website located at www.lg-vu.com, I successfully "modded" my phone! Some would say that adding new themes isn't really "modding", but you are required to edit some of the system files to get this to work. It was not easy, and it did take me 2 days to work out the kinks, but I did get the thing working. My phone is a LOT more fun and functional now with the new themes. Now I don't have to stare and the boring old theme that the phone came with. I'm still not satisfied that they operating system has not been updated, however. And I'm equally unhappy with the fact that there are no sanctioned applications available for this powerful little phone much like the iPhone has. Nonetheless, it is still worthe the price, which was free with a contract. So I am somewhat satisfied. I am starting another page at http://carltonzone.com/lg-vu.php which will feature more information, and it will also have a link to where you can get the phone for free right now. Check into that, and I will continue posting information relating to modifying the phone to make it do new and cool things!
LG-Vu by AT&T
Comments
Sadly, I agree with you. I got my VU a little over a month ago and have already contacted AT&T's warranty department to replace the phone, it constantly connects and stays connected to the internet. This little snafu prevents call functionality (incoming and outgoing) and blocks my email. WEIRD! Because I blog daily, there are several apps that I would love to have on my phone but, alas, AT&T has not delved into the creation and programming functionality for this could-be "it phone". Most days, I remove my SIMcard and use my MotoQ instead, just because it works. And doesn't lock up. :( Very sad.
I am fairly happy with my VU915. I am not a big data user but...when I purcahsed the phone it was advertised as wifi compatile and of course it is not. But...I enjoy my VU just the same.
Although it takes a bit of work, you can enable your phone to access outside party Java applications. You'll find instructions for this and other solutions at http://www.lg-vu.com. You can also change your shortcuts and delete some of the default applications.
Also, I found Opera-mini to be a great browser. Similar to the iPhone, you can navigate via the screen as opposed to being limited by the side bar. MoodioFM is great for streaming audio as well as Orb for this and other media applications. Hope this helps.
Pandora recently released a mobile version of their service, which from what I understand is totally free. Go to www.pandora.com, click on Mobile, then see if your phone is on the list. The LG Vu (AT&T) is currently supported, which means you can have free streaming music any time you want. All you have to worry about is your data plan and your phone's already-taxed battery life.
I checked Pandora, and they do not support the LG Vu. You may want to check your sources on that.
i think they support the 920 and not the 915 .
i think they support the 920 and not the 915 .
I agree with Kristine, everyone with a Vu should go to Lg-vu.com. They have all the information you need (plus downloads on site) to fully customize the Vu and get rid of most (if not all) of the annoying querks of the phone. The most you will have to spend (usually) is a few bucks for a data cable. Everything else is free downloads. Should check that site out first before you say the phone is lacking in what it can do.
Good comment Jared, and I have spent quite a bit of time on the LG-Vu site. I am very excited about the prospect of downloading alternate themes! I am going to order a data cable online, and try out some of these themes. The first I would like to try out is the Android theme. I will report my results!
That's true, Jared, but wouldn't it be better if you didn't have to go to the website just to make those changes? I thought that was the point of this article.
heres my break down of the lg vu 920. its a piece of crap dont buy it. dont go through a contract to get it for free. just get as far away from it as possible. the absolute worse phone i have ever had. and i have had some crappy phones. hi-tech looking phone that offers nothing.
I think what it boils down to for me is the fact that it isn't an iPhone. I probably won't be happy until I get one. Still no plans for the development of serious applications by AT&T. Not even an operating system update to fix the obvious bugs, and the phone has been out a whole year now. But its fun to watch TV shows or use as an MP3 player.
Wow, thanks for bringing all that to light. You summed up just how I feel about the phone. I hope you keep going with this.
Well I have owned a 920 for about 4 months now. I agree with the complaints of lacking apps for this phone. I have found a place to get a few free games although you may have to check the compatibilty with your phone. I had to delete a few cause it let me download them but couldn't use cause of the controls. Anyways the site is www.mobile9.com. there is also apps on here.
Had the 920 for about three months, first 920 had major battery drop out, short fix was to remove the bat and restart. The second 920 is fuctional. I wanted the wifi for hands free and this is were the voice commands work smoothly once you get used to the voice. The bigest pain is finding the limitation and fuctionality of the features. The CD manuel is toilet paper. LG VU.com is best source for detailed explainations. AT&T fixed the short cuts to push thier money making programs. Data is dollars. If I wanted to spend money for a data program I would have gone to the Iphone. Would like to find a way to dump most of the data hungery apps and replace thier short cuts and apps with carry on apps which don't require data fees. Mp3 player is nice, need to find a way to play several tunes without touching the start button. The address book has a odd quirk, When the handset is used for storage there are many more fields and a tune for each person can be selected. The memory card has half the fields and only the catagory the name is placed in can have a tune. Seems backward.
This article sums up pretty much all of my gripes with my 920. I have had it for almost 4 months now, and though I like it even more than I thought I would, it can still be annoying. This is especially true with the very quick screen lock out while in a phone call. It's hugely annoying when doing something like activating Windows XP by phone. Unfortunately, in my area in Vermont, I rarely get 3G speeds and I don't think the Mobile TV is even available. I still find the phone well worth it though.
I whole heartedly agree with you overall. I really wish AT&T would pay some attention to its customers, and to this phone which is full of possibilites. I found the information on tethering your phone to a laptop very interesting though, and I am also more encouraged to check out LG-Vu.com, thanks for the article!
Aaron,
LG-Vu.com has been helpful for me, and it has at least held my attention to the phone a bit more. I bought a USB data cable from Walmart for $14.99. If you search online you can find them as low as $6.99. That's all you need to do the mods, and to download flash games. The applications that you can get are basically worthless, but the games are fun nonetheless. I have surmised that LG Electronics just doesn't have the motivation or budget to put antying into this handset. I think it's the cheap free answer to all-touch cell phones. Sorry to hear that you don't get 3G out there. As far as me, the 3G and television stuff is really the only thing that has saved it for me. I have the 915, but it doesn't matter if you have the 915 or the 920 in our area because we don't have anyone putting out the live TV feed anyway. It would be nice, though, if AT&T would just throw us a bone and at least fix the bugs. The worst glitch for me? When you are talking on the phone, and it doesn't turn off the screen vibration, so all the while that you are talking, the phone is buzzing away on your face. I can't stand that! LOL
i bought the lg vu last year oct. i was disapointed with the network function up here in alaska. 3g just got up here 2 months ago and as far as tv stream it doesnt exist. one thing the phone does well is send pics via internt to email addreses instead of saving to the memory card. you can save directly to the memory card by copying and pasting wich was a hidden feature i found. i bought the phone brand new at 400$ with out a plan because you save money in the long run through go phone pre paid cards. unlimited text 19$ and unlimited nation wide talk 60$. the text you can send pics and music files and video also. i still think the blackberry was ahead of its time and still one of the best smart phones out there. i heard of a site that you can show you how to turn your lg into a iphone clone that lets you have all the iphone apps and changes your phones initial theme to an iphone wich i am still researchin. also if you have an ipod touch you can google ipod touch text and talk hacks and use it as an iphone by downloading iphone apps which you can do all that for free with no service plans
Hey source1, luckily for me I think that bug you hate so much must be unique to the 915, or perhaps I'm just lucky, because I never get mid conversation vibration. Sorry it bothers you a lot. I am at least pleased with the reception and call quality of the phone, and find the speaker phone quite useable, especially when compared to some other phones. I have been planning to get a data cable to transfer pictures and music with ease, and I'll definitely be checking out what LG-Vu.com has to offer. Thanks again.
for a bit more around 50$ you could get a lg incite which has endless apps and free internet that allows you to tehter believe me this is a great pone has yet to dissapoint me!
I love the phone LG-VU.com fixs almost every issue & as far as apps go I got facebook,twitter,turn by turn gps,drum set,guitar, google maps and of course that just in apps I have loaded! of course you can still use any website that has a mobile page. oh yeah and about 100 different games
I have the LG VU and i agree that its a very nice phone, i would like to point out that if youa re tethering your phone and you are using a data cable you do not need to worry about battery life because it charges off the data cable. It was my understanding though that if you are tethering you get charged extra, please coment on that.
I jumped ship and bought an iPhone 3GS. It was the best thing I could have ever done for my consulting business. The iPhone does not have CellularTV, which was a big letdown, but it has the capability of connecting to a myriad of podcasts on any business topic that you can think of. I'm constantly learning, never a dull moment. I gave my LG-Vu to a friend, who is enjoying the phone for what it is worth. But there is no comparison at all between the LG-Vu and an iPhone whatsoever. I am really disappointed in the reviews and demos that were shot from the cellular technology conventions that showcased the Vu before it was released. They gave the impression that it was a real iPhone competitor. It's not. I would have been happy if they would have reported it for what it was, and not as an iPhone alternative. I'm curious if anyone has done the same as I have and made the switch to the iPhone. I will continue to monitor this hub and keep up with questions and comments!
i need to know how to use the lg vu as modem. i have the data cable but not sure what to do next... please help. thank you
I think what you are referring to is "tethering". What you may need to do is purchase an application that activates the blue tooth capability to stream your 3G data service to a laptop with bluetooth capability. I have a friend who does this with a Palm Treo 700. He bought the application for $30, and when you run it, it will constantly stream your internet data to a laptop. I'm not aware if you can accomplish this through the data cable, however. Tethering is a big bone of contention right now for the iPhone. They had promised this as a feature for the 3Gs, but it never materialized. Anyhow, I found a site that might get more into this for the LG-Vu which is http://www.lg-phones.org/lg-vu-tips-tethering-part I would also recommend searching http://www.lg-vu.com. It's an excellent site for modifying the LG-Vu. Hope that helps!
i loved my LG VU, ......at first.
now i hate it with a passion, but im stuck with it ( 2 actually...)
the touch screen is awful, unresponsive and always screws up when i need it most. the call quality is ok, and the speaker phone is nice, but thats about it. i paid too much for mine ( $100 EACH) and right after i got them, AT&T started giving them away, so i felt totally ripped off, but ive been dealing with it since Feb. now im stuck in a 2 year plan with a phone i hate. i just recently got an ipod touch, and i love it. apple knows what a touchscreen should behave. its just an unbelievable difference. now i just have to find some sucker on craigslist to buy my VUs so i can get 2 iphones instead. and DAMN the expense! ( Damn.... the expense!)
I totally understand your frustration. I paid $150 for mine, and at the time, that was $50 cheaper than most retailers. I ended up giving mine away to a friend at work who was in dire need of a phone. The LG Vu would be fine as a free phone, but they need to disclose the fact that it is a cheap, "plasticky" imitation touch phone, not a real smart phone. Honestly, I don't really know if you can even classify this handset as a "smart phone" by any means. It doesn't compare to any other... just not on the same level. The GOOD thing about your experience is that you will certainly appreciate and enjoy your iPhone more than you would have if you didn't get the crappy imitation version first! I know I did! Thanks for commenting.
You must keep in mind that this phone is in fact NOT a smart phone, just a "dumb phone" with a few advanced features. For what it is, this phone is quite nice.
Exactly. It is NOT a smart phone. It was deceptively marketed as such, but it is nothing close. For a "dumb phone", it has some nice features, namely the AT&T Cellular Television.
I have had my LG VU for a little over a year. I loved it at first. I thought the battery life was great and everything. But recently every time i make a phone call or am talking on the phone for more than 2 minutes, it will just shut off. Or it will start beeping like it is going to die. I used to charge it every night, now i have to charge it twice a day. Sometimes when i plug it in it will shut off too.
I need to figure out if there is a way to transfer all my photos onto my memory card. I know I can do it one by one, but that will take forever. Is there a faster way?? Please help! Thank you
Yes, take the memory card, plug it into a card reader then to the PC or direct to the PC if it has a micro SD reader.
select them all at once and drag it to your destination.
It usually takes about 5 minutes or less to do this and i do it once every few months.
Good comments! Susan, I think I know what you are talking about. When you take pictures, they do not store onto the memory card. They get stored on the phone. Then you do have to go 1 by 1 to get them transferred to the memory card, which takes forever. I purchased a USB adapter cable from Walmart for $15. You can download a special file manager from lg-vu.com that will allow you to bulk cut-and-paste the picture files from your phone, thus saving you a TON of time.
You can store pictures directly onto the memory card as you take pictures. You simply press the camera button on the side of the phone, click the little gear icon on the bottom, press PRIMARY STORAGE, select MEMORY CARD. Don't forget to press, SAVE.And that is all. It is so simple!
By the way I love this phone.
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preston 3 years ago
yes i have realized every thing about that too and i barly got mine a few days ago and i want free game demos buti can't get any and itsrealy annoying dude i feel ya man