Display is Useless in the Sun.

 It has been sunny and bright here lately. I have attempted to use my phone outside on several occasions and could not see the display in the bright sunlight. I had to shield the display from the sun or find some shade in order to be able to read the display.  A cell phone sun visor would really help.

 

How To Prevent Phone Loss

I was taking pictures at a busy park one weekend and returned home. I reached for my phone and it wasn't there. I thought I had lost my phone. I retraced my steps and asked around but to no avail. I was frustrated and disappointed. It turned out that my phone was in my backpack. What a relief! So what would you do if you lost your phone?

First make sure that your phone is secure and you know where you put it. Make sure that you are using a password, pin or gesture feature to unlock your phone. If you ever lose your phone this will prevent anyone that finds your phone from just picking it up and using it. The old school method of  taping your name and phone number to your phone or phone case works. As a contingency plan you could use a phone locator or tracker app that utilizes the GPS signal on your phone and will let you know its location.

Phone locator and tracker apps are used to find or track the location of your phone. Some people use these apps for safety and fun to find the whereabouts of their children, family and friends. These apps must be installed on each phone that you wish to locate or track.

I found a free app called "Where's My Droid". If I lose my phone I can use my computer and Login to Wheres My Droid website. I can make my phone ring and find the location in my house under a pile of clothes or use the GPS to find the location off site.

Here is a link to info about Wheres My Droid and a couple of other phone trackers. Click here to go to Google Play  to view or download more trackers and locators.

GPS

I used the GPS Navigation app that came with the system. It gave me street by street directions with a computer generated voice. Although the Navigation app was accurate and had nice features the computer generated voice gave strange pronunciations of the street names placing emphasis on the wrong syllable making it difficult to understand at times. Overall a good app.

Contacts

I have assigned photos that I have taken of my friends to their contact information. I also have assigned different ring tones. Now I can tell who is calling just by listening to the ring tone and get to see a face display when I answer. I like it!

I'm using the app called Zedge for my ring tones, wallpaper, and notifications. You can download it at Google Play for FREE.

LG OPTIMUS V - HSN

HSN - Home Shopping Network is a multifaceted company that sells exclusive and discounted merchandise via TV and the Internet. Everyday HSN has a "Today's Special" where they take an item from their inventory and discount the price for that day only. The price returns to the regular price 12:00AM Eastern time.

I purchased HSN's Today's Special in April, 2012. It was the LG Optimus V smart phone. The phone is an Android NET10 No Contract smart phone with GPS and 3.2MP Camera with unlimited everything. There were 38,000 HSN customers that ordered the phone that day. Wow!

This is the first smart phone I have ever owned and I love it! I am now enjoying my new smart phone. I can check and send email, surf the Internet, use the GPS, watch TV shows and streaming vids, listen to music, and play a game or two.

I wanted to share my new Optimus V smart phone adventure with other HSN customers that purchased it. I will blog about the specifications, Tips and Tricks, and what I have learned. I am interested in your experience and will be glad if able to answer any questions that you may have or direct you to a resource that can. WELCOME!

HSN's Product Item Description Page

LG Android No Contract Smartphone with GPS and 3.2MP Camera Item: 183-515

 LG Android No Contract Smartphone with GPS and 3.2MP Camera Connectivity-obsessed commitment-phobes rejoice! If you want Android features, no contract and unlimited text, data and web for a reasonable monthly rate, this smartphone is a no-brainer. Personalize your phone with thousands of cool apps, surf the web or navigate across town with the GPS. Use voice commands to make calls, send messages and play music. Plus, enjoy your first month of Net10 service on the house.

What You Get

LG Optimus V cell phone Back cover Battery AC adapter Car charger Choice of silicone gel skin (black, blue, purple, pink or red) USB cable  4GB microSDHC card (pre-installed) Quick start guide Welcome guide Activation card Services guide NET10 Android Tips pamphlet App Pack download card 1-month NET10 Unlimited service Manufacturer's 1-year limited warranty on phone Manufacturer's 90-day limited warranty on accessories

LG Android No Contract Smartphone with GPS and 3.2MP Camera Features

Unlimited talk, text, data, web and email

One reasonable monthly rate No contracts and no credit checks

Android 2.3 operating system

Lets you stay connected and productive on the go Receive access to Android Market for hundreds of cool, compatible apps

Android Market

Choose from more than 150,000 apps to browse and download Enjoy games, social-networking, news, weather, productivity apps and more

Bluetooth compatible

Wirelessly communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled devices Great for transferring photo and music files to and from your phone, backing up contacts list to your PC and more

Internet access and built-in Wi-Fi

Enjoy fast browsing while you talk on the phone and smooth music streaming Connect wirelessly to your home network or a public hotspot  Sync wirelessly with your company's Outlook Exchange server and get email, contacts and task information

Google Voice Actions for Android

Use hands-free to make calls, send messages and play music

Swype text input

Makes messaging super fast Slide finger from letter to letter to trace out words, lifting your finger between words

Mobile Search

Instantly search for news, weather, sports, directions, and even games and ringtones, right on the phone

More Features

600MHz processor Speech-to-text technology Ringback tones 3.5mm stereo headphone jack

Specs
The Key Specs

Model #:	Optimus V
Screen Type:	3.2" QVGA LCD touchscreen
Style:	Touchscreen bar
Mode:	CDMA (PCS) network compatible at 1.9GHz
Bluetooth Enabled:	Yes

Additional Specs 

Talk Time:	Up to 5 hours
Standby Time:	Up to 10 days
Multimedia Messaging:	Yes
Vibrating Alert:	Yes
Text Messaging:	Yes
Speakerphone:	Yes
Voice-Activated Dialing:	Yes
Built-In Camera Resolution:	3.2MP
Video Recording:	Yes
MP3 Player:	Yes
Radio:	No
Downloadable Ringtones:	Yes; 10 included
Internet Capabilities:	Yes
PDA Capabilities:	Yes
International Compatibility:	Texting only
Data Transmission:	Yes
Games:	Yes, downloadable
Voice Message Recording:	Yes
Calendar:	Yes
Scroll Function:	Yes
Battery:	Standard lithium-ion battery
Antenna:	Internal

The Basics

Color:	Black, Blue, Purple, Pink or Red
Measurements:	Approx. 2.3"L x 0.5"W x 4.5"H
Weight:	Approx. 4.7 oz.
Power Source:	Included rechargeable battery
Listing:	Adapter is CSA listed
Country of Origin:	China

Android App Pack Select 6

Quick Office Pro

Create, edit, access and share Microsoft Word documents, spreadsheets and presentations anytime, anywhere

Pathaway GPS Express Edition

Turn your mobile phone into a powerful and versatile GPS application for any recreational or professional use Record tracks, capture points, create and follow routes and navigate with online, cached or customer imported maps Create and calibrate your own layered maps

Syncables 360 Premium

Wirelessly access your data from any of your devices on your home network Makes moving, syncing, streaming and sharing content easy Access files, media, email, contacts and bookmarks through your Wi-Fi network Keep two or more devices in sync

Splash ID Safe

Securely stores usernames, passwords, credit cards, bank accounts, PINs, frequent flyer numbers and more with ease

Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus

More than 200,000 entries and definitions in this complete, credible reference guide

Sudoku Infinity

Enjoy several playing modes and unlimited play with this fun take on the standard Sudoku game

Prepaid Plans
NET10 $50 Unlimited Plan

Get unlimited Talk, Text, Data/Web/Email and calls to 411 No credit check and no contract Includes all local, long-distance and roaming calls Phone cannot be used outside the U.S. or Puerto Rico Buy ringtones or access graphics, news, weather, sports and more Follow instructions on the enclosed Welcome Guide to add your promotional package Included 1 month of service must be activated within 60 days of order date To receive this plan for $45 per month, go to www.net10.com to sign up for NET10's Auto-Refill program, which automatically charges your debit or credit card for subsequent months of service (starting with your service end date)

International Capabilities

• International texting only. Go to www.net10.com for more details.

Not an LG Optimus V?

I have noticed several discrepancies in HSN's product description regarding our phone. I have confirmed the discrepancies by using the specifications that display on our phone's system information. The positive point is that we've ended up getting an upgraded phone.

HSN's Description           Actual
Phone Name
Optimus V                     Optimus Net

HSN's website displays the phone and model# as being an Optimus V.
What You Get
    LG Optimus V cell phone
The Key Specs
    Model #:Optimus V

The letter “V” on LG Optimus indicates the relationship between the LG Optimus and it’s Carrier Virgin Mobile. V or VM670,VM701 refers to the Optimus Virgin Mobile series (see Virgin Mobile "V" TradeMark below ad.) This kind of designation has been established with other LG Optimus Series launched in United States however; there are exceptions.

LG OPTIMUS CARRIER LETTERING ASSOCIATIONS       
                                        
LG Optimus ONE, 2 = ACG network
LG Optimus C = Cricket Wireless
LG Optimus T = T-Mobile
LG Optimus M = Metro PCS
LG Optimus S and Elite = Sprint
LG Optimus U = US Cellular


Almost all of these Optimus Versions have the same or similar designs and runs on the Android platform.




 I believe that the correct Optimus designation that we purchased is actually an Optimus Net for NET10 not a "V" for Virgin mobile. The phone packaging displays LG "Optimus Net".

HSN's Description           Actual 
ModelNumber
OptimusV                      LGL45C

The actual Model Number is LG L45C as displayed in the Settings - "About phone", battery compartment,  and Quick Start Guide that came with the phone.

HSN's Description           Actual
Processor
600MHz                        800MHz

Resolution
QVGA 320 X 240           HVGA 320 X 480

Click here to link to LGL45C Product Support Page where you can download mobile driver, mobile support tool for the PC, and see the Detail Guide for downloading Manuals, PC Sync, USB Driver.

Click here to download LGL45C Owners Manual.


Click here to download the LGL45C DataSheet

Remember to always make a backup of all data before attempting to make any changes to your  phone or PC.

LG

 LG Electronics  LG gets its name from the merger of two companies Lucky and GoldStar. The slogan Life'sGood  followed the new company name and is called a backcronym. A backronym or bacronym is a phrase constructed after the fact to make an existing word or words match an acronym.

LG Electronics is a subsidiary of LG Corp, the second largest South Korean conglomerate after Samsung and is the third largest producers of mobile phones and second in television sets.

ANDROID

The LGL45C is an Android phone.ANDROID is an operating system for mobile devices owned by Google. Our phone is using Android version 2.3.4 also known as Gingerbread. Android versions are named in alphabetical order after desserts. The current version is 4.X and named Ice Cream Sandwich. The next major upgrade of Android is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2012 (JellyBean?)

ANDROID VERSIONS
4.0.x     Ice Cream Sandwich
3.x.x     Honeycomb
2.3.x     Gingerbread
2.2        Froyo (Frozen Yogurt)
2.0, 2.1 Eclair
1.6        Donut
1.5       Cupcake


The green robot logo was created and associated with the pre-released versions of ANDROID called Astro and Bender. Some trademark issues were associated with those names making them unavailable eventually leading to the ANDROID theme being changed to desserts.

There are several mobile operating systems on the market. The Top Ten smart phones operating systems are Android, Symbian, Apple iOS, RIM BlackBerry, MeeGo, Windows Phone, and Bada.

NET10

NET10 is our LG Net cellular service provider and a brand of Tracfone. Tracfone also owns SafeLink and StaightTalk. The following is an excerpt from CNETs "Guide to top cell phone carriers"
*****************************************************

TracFone

 


TracFone is an MVNO that serves 10 million customers nationwide. The carrier offers services under several brands: TracFone, Net10, Straight Talk, and Safelink. The latter is a government-supported program that provides a free cell phone and airtime for income-eligible customers. Though all service is prepaid, rates, service options, and handset selection will differ between the brands. Unlike most carriers, the carrier offers both CDMA and GSM phones, though handsets are limited to basic models. It does not offer 3G or push-to-talk services.

Things you should know about TracFone:

• TracFone does not permit international roaming, but it does offer international long distance. Also, you can choose to provide friends and family in Canada or Mexico with a local phone number in their area. Calls made to that number will then forward to your U.S. number.
• TracFone offers prepaid service only.
• All services include messaging options.
• You'll need to keep an account balance to avoid losing your phone number. Purchased airtime does not expire.
• TracFone neither charges activation fees nor does it conduct credit checks.
• Your handset choice, rates, and service options will depend on which brand you use.
• The carrier offers both CDMA and GSM phones. However, its handset selection is limited to basic models from Kyocera, Motorola, and LG.

What do CNET users think of TracFone? Fans say it's "great for occasional users," but others said TracFone "won't stand by the customer." To leave your own opinion, and for more information, see our 
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4GB MicroSDHC Card

The LGL45C comes with 512MB of internal memory and a 4GB microSDHC card pre-installed expandable up to 32GB.

SDHC - (Secure Digital High-Capacity). SDHC is a removable memory card used to store data on cell phones, tablets, GPS, portable media players, video game consoles, and other handheld portable devices. The SDHC card acts as an additional storage space to the phone's internal memory expanding the total amount of data that can be stored.

SD cards come in 3 sizes: Standard, Mini, and Micro. The Standard size is about the size of a postage stamp.

Some micro SDHC cards come with adapters so that you can use them with your computer or any multi-format card reader. Unfortunately if you have an older SD card reader it may be incompatible and unable to read the SDHC card. 

Micro Cards with Adapters

 Card Readers

SD cards have two types of transfer formats "Speed Class" and UHS(Ultra High Speed)Class. These are not compatible with one another. Speed Classes are designated by Class 2, 4, 6 and 10.The greater the number the smoother the recording or streaming content and faster the transfer. UHS Speed Class is used for cam and video recorders to provide the fastest reliable and constant speed for that standard.

Speed Class is what the LG L45C uses. A Class 4 would probably suffice for most people. If you plan on doing a lot video or streaming recording, or want the fastest transfer speed available make sure you purchase a Class 10. The class is designated on the card. 

 

  

600MHz processor

The cell phones processor is a condensed and shrunken computer CPU. A CPU is like a car engine. It makes the car run. The more powerful the processor the more horsepower and speed you get.

The item description on HSN's page states that the processor is 600MHz. This is incorrect. If you review your system information you will see that the CPU displays a 800MHz 1 Core processor. I'm not complaining this is a bonus. A 600MHz and even 800MHz processors are considered entry level. Just so you'll have a comparison here are some basic differences between our entry level LGL45C and LG's current Optimus 4X HD flagship model.

Optimus Net                                                 Optimus 4X HD
800MHz processor                           Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra-3,  1.4GHz processor
3.2" display, 320 X 480 resolution      4.7" display, 1280 X 720 resolution
3.2 MP rear camera only                  8MP rear camera and 1.3MP in front   
Android 2.3.4 operating system         Android  4.0 operating system
                                                      HDMI connector for TV-out

CSA Listed

Listing:Adapter is CSA listed
 The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a nonprofit association serving business, industry, government and consumers in Canada and the global marketplace. Among many other activities, CSA develops standards that enhance public safety. A Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, CSA is very familiar with U.S. requirements. CSA is a stamp of approval for rigorous standards for electrical safety and electromagnetic emissions testing and an according to OSHA qualifies as an alternative to the UL Mark.

Lithium-Ion Battery

 Battery:Standard lithium-ion battery   

A lithium-ion battery is a rechargeable battery common in many types of portable rechargeable consumer electronic devices (not to be confused with standard lithium batteries.) The lithium-ion-battery has no memory loss effect like the older type nickel–cadmium (NiCad) and nickel–metal hydride (NiMH)  batteries and only a slow loss of charge when not in use.


Lithium Ion Battery - 1,500mAh, 3.7V

What is PCS?

PCS (Personal Communications Service) is a wireless digital phone service for mobile users and a component of the IMT-2000 (3G) standard. Sprint was the first company in the United States to build and operate a PCS network. A number of cell transmitting antennas blankets an area for more coverage and less blind spots. As a user moves around, the user's phone signal is picked up by the nearest antenna and then forwarded to a base station that connects to the wired network. PCS operates in the1850-1990MHz bands in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

3.5mm Stereo Headphone Jack

The LGL45C uses a 3.5 mm or 1/8" connector. This is the standard size jack to connect headphones, ear buds, and external speakers to MP3 players, smart phones, and portable DVD players.