LG Vu landing at AT&T in new wine hue
LG's Vu hit and left the spotlight in the blink of an eye earlier this year, but now AT&T's looking to rejuvenate interest in the Mobile TV-enabled handset by bringing it back out in a new wine hue. At least, that's the good word coming from the Boy Genius. Reportedly, the new version (model number 920 versus the old 915) will also boast MediaFLO and a number of assorted bug fixes, and while there's no expected date of arrival mentioned, it should ring up at right around $100 whenever it lands.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoozEman @ Dec 3rd 2008 7:33AM
ok just a lil correction for you all the model number on the LG Vu with Mobile TV has always been 920. the 915 is the version of the phone that does not have Mobile TV.
decab @ Dec 3rd 2008 4:02PM
yup- i was going to say the same thing. the u had 2 models. one with MediaFLO and one withone. the 915 launched in markets with the MediaFLO tech in the air.
tk @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:58AM
While I'm sure there are plenty of people who are entirely happy with this phone, I tend to think anyone reading engadget wouldn't be. For your super basic consumer who doesn't expect much or plan to use many features it's a nice flashy phone.
For anything beyond phone calls, and texting I would recommend a different phone. I got this because at the time there was not much available. Now however there are a lot better choices and for the first time I may even suck it up and buy a new phone long before contract would allow carrier discount because this is so bad.
I was under the impression that they had discontinued this, so I'm both surprised and disappointed they continue to sell this outed phone. I know neither ATT or LG are ever planning on releasing any software updates.
JunkJugget @ Dec 3rd 2008 5:37PM
tk, if you actually own this phone, then you may need to play with it a little bit more. It may not be a super "high end" device running Windows; however it is a pretty feature rich phone.
It has Stereo Bluetooth for your music listening needs, plus it is also compatible with Napster 2Go and Rhapsody while using with an 8GB MicroSD Card. It does have a full HTML web browser for full web surfing, but you can also download Opera Mini if you do not like LG's web browser. You can tether it to a computer and use the phone as a full 3G modem reaching speeds up to 3.6mb per second download, and talk on the phone at the very same time while using it as a modem. Also has built in Voice Activated Dialing, and Multitasking capabilities. Mainly you can surf the web, talk on the phone and log on to AIM all at the same time. Oh, then jump into a game and text your score to someone while doing everything else. It also has a 2mp auto focus camera and full video capabilities. You can also watch full length movies on this phone, plus if you have the 920, watch MediaFLO TV on it. It can do so much more, but honestly I do not want to preach to you about how this phone is more then just for talking and texting. If you actually own it, you may want to tinker with it before you knock it down. Because honestly, it doesn't seem like you know what you are talking about.
tk @ Dec 5th 2008 12:18PM
Yes I own the phone, and I assure you I've played with it well beyond anything it was intended for. It can be as feature rich as it wants, it doesn't change poor hardware and interface. I should have known better considering the stupid thing uses bluetooth 1.2. A 6 year old standard that been updated twice since. Of coarse this doesn't just effect the phone because any bluetooth product you use with it is automatically drag down to 1.2 standard. Any battery life, pairing, security, quality enhancements your 2.0 products have are moot because those benefits don't work with 1.2.
I don't know what processor they're using but it's terribly slow. Loading music library, picture viewing, gifs. All things my crappy old sony from 2 years ago can do much faster. Speaking of, why can that old sony, even with it's smaller screen, view text documents but this can't?
Stero bluetooth, micro SD card (some), voice activated dialing, 2mp camera with video. This is all stuff my 2 year old mediocre phone could do. These aren't "features", these are givens with even the bottom barrel phones now. As far as "multitasking" goes, that slowness I hit on is going to come into play MAINLY when you try to do all of these nifty things you mentioned. Scrolling is horrible, anyone who's used my Vu knows how frustrating it is trying to go through a long long list and select something. That alone has convinced anyone that's tried it that it's crap.
The shortcuts aren't customizable. When the last time you had a phone that you couldn't customize shortcuts on? I have to click through 3 different menus to get to things I use on a regular basis. Maybe you're used to phones that force you to make your own ring tones and sound files for alarms, but I've never had a phone that had a size limit on files for basic functions, I could just use any sound file I had on there. If you leave the phone on silent the alarm doesn't sound. How do you fk that up? Worse is, despite still pushing this phone neither ATT or LG plan any fixing anything. As soon as the phone was put out they were basically done with it. No extra themes, no more apps, no software fixes or firmware updates, just push them out, change the color and move on.
The only thing I got out of this phone is knowing not to buy any LG products in the future.
You seem easy to please so try not to take offense when those of us with expectations of a decent phone "knock it" because we're dissapointed. Glad it works for you and now you can get a new one in "wine", enjoy.
Seraphim @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:48PM
Junk is spot on.
I also actually own and use my Vu. It's a good phone, and with some minor modifications it's a great phone. I regularly watch movies or podcasts on my phone. Texting gets better once you calibrate the screen to however you actually text. Calls are clear, and bluetooth syncing is a snap.
In my opinion, it's SORELY in need of a software update. Until I see LG start supporting their own products better than this, I won't be buying any more LG devices.
Vrock @ Dec 10th 2008 1:23PM
This is a very good phone if you realize what it is and what it isn't. It IS NOT a smartphone, it IS a good entry level touchscreen phone that works very well for calls and texting.
While it is true that LG/ATT is not forthcoming with firmware/software upgrades, if you have some semblance of computer knowledge, can FOLLOW DIRECTIONS, and are patient, there are a lot of great user created mods out there to make your Vu experience even better (ie, customizing shortcuts, different themes, etc). Use google or visit my favorite forum for the Vu:
www.lg-vu.com
Good day!