LG Arena KM900
flere kommentar - Dato: 5. May, 2009 - Kategorier: Hardware
LG Arena KM900
This is a review of my new LG Arena KM900 mobile phone, with firmware version KM900AT_V10i.
I live in Denmark, but bought the phone in Germany, since there were quite a price reduction - around 100€.
It replaced my old trustie, an rather old phone, Nokia 6230i (yes, very oldie), so it was about time for an update in the mobile field.
I choose this phone because of the many features, and because, there is no keys on the front. I also chosed it because of the 5M pixel camera, even though i’ve read some other customers didn’t think it was very good.
First impression, was, that it was nice, simple an easy for the eye. I would have prefered, if there where no logo on front of it, but I guess that its it’s a company branding thingy…
Instead of saying alot about what the phone does, which you can read in many other reviews, i will tell what it doesn’t do, or atleast what i would expect that it did, but as it turns out, does not do!
WiFi
- It does not not change automatic between WiFi and 3G. One have to change this manual for both Java programs, exchange synchronization, streaming, and the build in browser, EVERY TIME!!
- It does not allow the streaming option to work with the WiFi, meaning, you can’t stream Youtube, from WiFi! (As of Firmware KM900AT_V10m, you still cant stream Youtube, but now atleast, there is an option to select WiFi, even though it doesn’t work)
- You can’t use the phone as a router from WiFi to 3G - Would be awsome if it was possible, connecting to you phone through wireless, and then go on internet with you laptop. But you should be able to use the phone as a modem through bluetooth.
Browser
- Not very fast a.k.a. very slow!
- Small links is a pest!! Not very easy to catch, you have to zoom a lot.
- A lot Javascript based links, doesn work before whole page is loaded. (i.e. on www.dba.dk)
- Adobe Flash does not work in browser, I’ll gues that neither does Microsoft Silverligth!
- If phone is on horizontal angle, and the address bar is clicked, one has to turn it vertical, and then back horizontal to have qwerty keyboard, and the when you click OK, it turns back to vertical automatic, and then you have to click goto button to load webpage. Hereafter you can then then turn the phone back horizontal - Alot turning the phone….. hmmmm.
Google tools
- I use Google Apps, for my domain (a special google service), and this is not supported, so it is only the freeware gmail, and not the Google Apps, even though Google apps is supposed to support Exchange ActiveSync..
- Likewise, there is NO google calender, email OR contact syncronization. I personaly would have prefered if this would work over Exchange ActiveSync protocol, but of course is a matter of personal preferences. Actually, there is an option, which can be engaged regarding synchronization of contacts, calendar and mail over Exchange ActiveSync. But as of now, i have not been able to make it work with Google Apps. Turns out, there also is an setting inside of Google Apps, that has to be enabled, in order to allow synchronization. It synchronizes, but does not synchronize mobil phone numbers. Instead they are removed from the phone…
- The two finger pinch zoom in/out does’nt work in google maps, or any other Java midp application.
- Not possible to update Google Maps. because this somewhat integrated into the Arena, and therefore it is not alloweable to overwrite aktual installation - Thus not able to update google maps.
- Can’t run games or programs (including java programs) when in MyMusic (the media player). The first thing i did, was download an java mipd application that could calculate traveling speed and distance, on behalf of the GPS. But you cant use this at the same time as you are listening to music. This sucks, if you would like to both hear music AND know you speed and running distance, when running, or using the bike.
Calendar
- No intuitive way to enter year of birth for birthdays. Found the, somewhat hidden place, where one can add the birthday for contacts, and then get it automatic added to calendar… Nice 
- When making a new schedule, it starts by suggesting 01.00 o’clock as start and end time for each schedule, so if most of the schedules happens between 08.00-20.00, then you have to scroll alot in the time. Another very well hidden option, in calendar settings. Here one can change the default from 01.00 to ex. 12.00.
- Does not automatic suggest an endtime of schedules depending on start time. Always suggest 01.00 o’clock halft an hour later than initial setting (look above) for end of schedules. Would have been nice with an dynamic time offset.
Interface / Navigation
-It takes around 10-60 seconds before it locks the screen. This is somewhat annoying, especially because, one can’t unlock it just by pressing the screen, but one needs to press either the power button (which also works as lock/unlock) or vol+- followed by a long press and hold on the screen.
- There isn’t a fancy way to “go back” (like to fingers moving left or something iPhonish). You have to press a dedicated top-right area on the screen. No movement controlling this.
- Calculator, doesn’t turn, when the phone turns. Only works vertically.
- Can only have 9 shortcuts on the shortcut screen (1st. cube screen.)
- Snooze and stop alarm options is VERY close to each other. very easy to press one instead of the other, when being waked up… (Found out that all physical buttons on phone can be used for snooze)
- No option, for making alarm start with low volume, then increasing, making a soft wakeup.
- When in snooze mode, there is no easy way to disable alarm. One has to make 3-4 clicks on screen to stop the alarm.
- Only favorites, can be access at the cube screens, no automatic navigation between folders etc. i.e. no tree view of file structure
- You can’t make a folder, album, Artist or Playlist and “favorite”
- Only way to use the flash diode light as a flashlight is by entering cameramode and hold down the camerabutton in focus mode, or enter video recording mode and turn on videolight.
- When zoom out the cube, the cube has pictures of other people, that i don’t even know!! Thus it seemes like it isn’t real dynamic content on the cubes.
- Can’t use touch screen for the flash lite games i installed, meaning no interaction, meaning not possible to use them
- Can’t do anything else, but stop player, when playing music directly from the cube’s shortcut to favorites of media. Meaning, if the number is selected from 4th cube interface, you can only control the player. To do anything else (sms, email, whatever) you have to stop the music, so no multitasking in this state.
- Profile / Contact pictures has to be located in image root folder, which is kind of un userfriendly, when trying to have structure in the pictures. These pictures, should be in a dedicated folder.
Musikplayer
- Can’t fast forward/rewind in musik players (Added since firmware KM900AT_V10m)
- Music player doesn’t have any memory, meaning that everytime, the music stops, you cant resume from where it had reach, neither in one number, and neither in playlist. This is kind of frustrating, if you are playing a playlist, and then exits the player to take a picture (can’t play media and take picture or java apps at the same time), then going back into the player, you have to start from scratch.
- Poor playlist control.
- Can’t narrow down the number, so if i.e. 16Gb of music, means very many files, but if you only can select either by artist, album, favorites, or all, then it’s very poor navigation. You can’t first select artist, and then narrow down further by album. You can only select either album or artist which is frustration if you have alot of music.
- Can’t add album arts for an album. Songs only.
- Sometimes, it goes in backlock. I haven’t yet identified when and why, but it seemes like if its the wrong files, or maybe its depending on moving music files to the phone. But the issue is, that it cant read the files on the phonem and hangs forever when trying to read available files. This really sucks, and is a tiresome bug, when it happens!!
Hardware
- Earplugs are transporting external sound whenever the cord touches anything. It’s very noicy, and not very nice, when walking or running.
- Screen not very sunlight friendly.
- Camera flash, not very good in dark rooms.
- Should be capable of using 32GB microSD, but at this time, no such size available in stores….
- Might have TV out capabilities, but there follows no accessories allowing you to connect the phone to a tv. Guess, this is something one has to buy seperate, when it gets available.
- Properitary USB interface, meaning, you can’t connect the phone with any standard usb2usb cable.
- Can’t get stand-alone GPS to work inside. Has read elsewere that others have great problems with this to.
Games
- M-Toy, No real enjoyment. A tabletennis bat, with which one can shoot the ball up in they air, just to do it again, and again and again. A Wheel of fortune game, where you can get the wheel to rotate - havent found of if it does anything else, but i don’t think so. A dice game, wher you can through some dice’s, and move a piece over some heart - a VERY teen/puberty mentality game - No fun!! Games SUCKS a.k.a Wii super light!
Syncronise
- Can’t sync with iSync on mac, neither through USB or Bluetooth - Might be me who can’t get it to work (I am only a professionel IT-Engineer), but i’ve read other places, that it doesn’t support iSync, even though there is an iSync plugin on the CD, and when it connects by USB. Made iSync work through BlueTooth. Needed to (de)-activate the secret iSync option inside the the bluetooth settings. Doesn’t sync profile pictures i Addressbook.
- PC Sync, has a bug, in that it cannot save email in the form firstname.middlename.lastname@whatever.tld
- faulty import in PC syncroniser, when importing vCards from Google, if danish letters.
- Drops middle names (everything after space) in names, and doesn’t import some numbers when this happens
- Does not import all phone numbers from exported google vCards.
Read other places on web:
- Poor FM sender quality - Needs to be withing something like 30cm without windshields between (I haven’t verified this)
- Grainy picture quality, with very sharp edges (I haven’t verified this)
- Bad picture in dark / Poor flash (I have this too)
- Poor screen in direct sunlight (I have this too)
- Troubles with GPS (I have this to with stand-alone GPS, when inside. No problems with A-GPS)
- Restarts unmotivated. (I haven’t got this)
Conclusion:
Even though the phone is lacking alot regarding expected functionality, it stills beat the iPhone, regarding what i have to use it for. The only big problem is that the mediaplayer sucks in management of folders, playlist etc And that there is no extra widgets.
But all-in-all it’s a pretty nice phone, and i’m happy with it!
Comment by Tobias Kirstein - 7. May 2009 @ 14:05
Tak for review.
Jeg har den samme tlf (mest fordi den er billigere end iPhone og har radio+mms+bedre kamera etc)
Men jeg kan satme ikke finde ud af den. Og det skyldes sikkert at jeg aldrig har haft andet end Nokia-tlf’er. Interfacen er ret forskellig.
gmailen henter mails fra 2006 som jeg straks slettede og nu vil den ikke hente nye.
Jeg har dwldt opera mobile på mobilen men aner ikke hvor det er blevet af.
Jeg synes ikke at interfacen er intuitiv nok.
det er ikke nemt at bruge google - knapperne er svære at aktivere - de blive røde men så sker der ikke mere før man har trykket en del gange.
Jeg ved sgu ikke. jeg er på nippet til at kalde den et fejlkøb.
Men må hellere spænde selen og lære den at ordentligt at kende først.
Hvis du har tip til at løse ovenstående er jeg lutter øren
Bedst hils
//Tobias
Comment by Nicolai - 7. May 2009 @ 15:05
Hej Tobias,
gmailen, kan jeg desværre ikke hjælpe dig med, da jeg bruger Google Apps, som den ikke engang understøtte.
mini.opera.com, skulle gerne være installeret under applikationer, hvis du downloader den fra din km900 browser, ligesom alle andre java midp apps. Du kan i øvrigt finde flere spændende java apps på getjar.com
Enig i at man lige skal vænne sig til bruger interfacet - man kan godt mærke at det er 1st generation interface.
Størrelsen på knapper og links i browseren håndteres bedst ved bare at zoome ind via pinch metoden (2 fingre på skærmen)
Jeg har ingen gode råd om aktiveringen og lack på andre knapper.
Uanset hvad, så tror jeg man bliver slemt skuffet hvis man køber Arenaen i håb om det er en billig iPhone. Det er bare en helt almindelig telefon, med et fancy looking interface.
Efter at have brugt den i over en uge nu, så er det eneste jeg virkeligt er utilfreds med på den, og som jeg nok ikke havde en chance for at læse mig til inden jeg købte den, det at musik playeren er så minimal i sin funktionalitet.
Nicolai
Comment by Bunter - 14. May 2009 @ 13:05
Exactly the points that annoy me! Except, my GPS doesn’t work neither standalone or aided mode. And I really don’t think this phone beats iPhone (i’ve tinkered with good old 2G a lot). Everything on arena is either too small to click, too many clicks away or plainly does not work then compared to iphone. Better camera, smaller form factor and some extra gadgets is just insufficient.
Comment by Nicolai - 14. May 2009 @ 14:05
The GPS, does not work very well, but atleast mine does work.
The A-GPS, works for me i Google Maps. It just needs to transmit and recieve data from the service provider. The Stand-Alone GPS, works only outside, and i I use it for a run, it takes about 10-20 minutes before registering the satelites, and in the mean while, the java applikation and satelite searching, drains the battery.
Another thing i have experienced lately, is that the Calender is very touchy. Many times, it says there is wrong data. Sometimes i think this is if using Danish letters, but i have not yet confirmed this. But many time, i have to add the same calender event many times, before i can save it - think it’s a bug.
Comment by Nicolai - 16. May 2009 @ 16:05
Updated to firmware KM900AT_V10m (Europe Open)
Main SW: KM900AT-00-V10m-262-XXX-APR-27-2009.
DSP SW: a-21-05a (2.21.090220.155893)
I can’t any where, what the changes is in this firmware update. So this is just what i have seen so far.
- Few improvements in the User Interface.
- Fixed bug with Calendars, having problems with entering schedules.
- Fixed missing option to change location in music numbers.
- Added WiFi option in Streaming settings, though YouTube still doesn’t work.
Otherwise none of the items in the review has been changed. My guess is, that this will never happen.
After updating, i had alot of troubles with settings and contacts. Had to save every setting and contact, to make it work correctly again. The Exchange settings, is destroyed, and i can delete it, neither change it. I proberly have to reset the phone back to factory settings (1809#*900#).
Btw, can’t update from a Mac. Can’t update from Windows inside of vmware fusion.
Comment by JKay - 20. May 2009 @ 08:05
Regarding the Camera:
The LG Arena does not take the picture when the shutter sound is heard. It takes the picture a second or so later. This means that you and others probably moves right after and you get a picture of you moving the phone and of people moving away!!! Very annoying! And it is NOT possible to turn off the shutter sound!
Regarding Wi-Fi:
I can NOT get the LG Arena to work with my DLINK DIR-655! The connection is lost after a minute or so!
My DLINK works fine with other WiFi clients, like my printer and my laptop.
Question: If I ever get the Wi-Fi working, will it be possible to browse my NAS from my LG Arena and view PDF files from it? And save pictures taken with my LG arena on my NAS directly over Wi-Fi?
My current firmware is: KM900AT-01-V10b-240-02-MAR-23-2009 (HUTCHISON SWEDEN)
The 3 Denmark branded one.
Comment by Nicolai - 20. May 2009 @ 08:05
I am not having the problem with the camera. I have just tried, and when the camera shutter sound plays, the picture is taken instantly on my version. Are you sure you aren’t confusing the camera sound, with the “in-focus-click”?
Correct, it is not possible to shut of camera shutter shound. I think this is something political, so no one can take a picture, without you surroundings a aware, that some one takes a picture. But, there is no sound when recording video…..
You can choose between 3 shutter sounds.
I have had no problems with connecting to any of the following Accesspoint providers, Edimax & Cisco. Have you tried updating your firmware on the D-Link?
My WiFi, is real slow. I Might be the Browser, that is real slow..
You can only browse websites with the Arena. But you can also install any freeware Java MIDP FTP client, and then connect the NAS through http://FTP. With the FTP option, you most likely, can copy files between the Arena and the NAS, for both storage and to view files. Though, my guess is, it will be easier with the help of a normal computer with Bluetooth.
The Arena has no SAMBA/CIFS support.
Please note, that i have experience that not all PDF’s can be view. Some are simply to large, to fit into the Arena’s internal memory.
Comment by Tobias - 23. May 2009 @ 07:05
Hej Nicolai
Hvor har du fundet den firmware opdatering?
MVHTobias
Comment by Nicolai - 23. May 2009 @ 09:05
Firmware was found at uk.lgmobile.com under menu “products”->”manuals & Software”. Look for the “USB Download” for your provider. I have the unlocked version, so i choosed the “KM900 EUROPE OPEN”.
You might also be able to access the firmware through the PC sync tool provided on the mini CD.
Btw, unlike the Danish lgmobile, the uk has options for earning points and downloading some reasonable quality games.
And just to extend the review:
- I found out that it is not possible to zoom when recording video.
- From what i have understood, by reading the web, the LM900 S-Class UI is just a FLASH Lite interface. so no real 3D.
- When doing a Factory Reset, all Java apps, except Google maps, gets delete. So far the pictures and music, doesn’t get deleted.
- Not sure, but it looks like the latest firmware, as of this writting, has some extended features in the 1809#*900# menu - Dont press factory reset, unless you mean it, since there is no confirmation request.
Comment by Mark Bandte - 15. June 2009 @ 09:06
Ok, I just wanted to know what’s going on with all these updates. I live in Denmark, and the only updates that become available to me are one for ‘Europe open’ called KM900AT_V10b_ENG and one for sweden, called KM900AT_V10h_ENG. I’ve taken the ‘h’ but I can see that there are loads of other updates for the firmware around. I’m not sure if it will fix the only problem I have with the phone (that it crashes every now and then - to the point where I actualy have to remove the battery to get it going again), but other than that, I love the phone. True, it’s not as touch friendly as an iphone, but none of the touch phones around are! Actually the other thing is that the java apps have nothing on the iphone/ipods, but other than that…I like. And by the way, to NICOLAI, you can update with vmware fusion…I have done it.
Comment by Nicolai - 15. June 2009 @ 09:06
Thats great to hear it’s possible to upgrade through VMware Fusion. I wasn’t able to, but since then i’ve seen that there has come a new infinion driver (for those who don’t know, Infinion is the processor inside the phone.) and perhaps this has done the trick - or perhaps i’ve just experienced another kind of bug.
The Europe OPEN firmware is for the unlocked phones. Otherwise one has to select the firmware related to the Operator lock, which otherwise is on the phone. As stated the latest version i’ve optained is 10m. I started out with 10i, and havent had any crashes, where i had to remove the battery.
As another note on the userinterface, i have found another annoyance. You have to activate the display to see if you have had any incoming messages or calls. It would have been nice, if the ‘HOME’ button was turned on, when ever one had recieved an incomming call og SMS.
More BUGS:
I have also experience some strange errors, which i think is related to the Earplugs. When i have been out running and sweatting, the phone starts to make random calls, untill i unplugg the earphones. I haven’t yet verified if it actually is the earphones.
The phone can’t locke the display, when using the STOPWATCH, so watch out if you are running with the STOPWATHC activated in you pocket.
Comment by Mark Bandte - 21. June 2009 @ 09:06
I’m having the same 2 bugs. The first happens around once a week and that is a total system crash to the point that I have to take the battery out to be able to do anything again. The second happens pretty often lately: When listening to music(I have about 3 gigs og music on the phones internal space) and the track changes from one to the next on random the sound shuts off, but the son continues to play. I have to open the phone, press pause and then play and it works again, picking up where it had gotten to when running on ’silent’. Especially sucks when riding a bike.
Again, these things suck because I’m really happy with the phone, but it’s hard to stay happy when the bugs don’t get fixed.
Also, it would have been good to have something to hook up a wristband or something on. The phone is so streamlined that if you want to use the camera with one hand it could get a little risky…We are going to roskilde festival, and I’mplannin on taking a load of pics, which I’m a little scared of, being in the middle of a crowd and all. Such a small thing, but still…
Comment by Mike Swan - 6. November 2009 @ 18:11
Hi guys,
please could you explain how you updated the firmware through vmware fusion. I have winXP running on my macbook pro and it just won’t go through the update. I think it is due to the phone going through the virtual machines usb hub which seems to disconnect when the phone is reset by the update software. Any hints would be much appreciated.
Comment by Jesper - 22. December 2009 @ 02:12
Ved du hvilken firmaware version der indeholder æ,ø og å?
Jeg har desværre fået fanget en tåbelig version til min og har nu installeret B´eren men savner sgu det danske tastatur.
På forhånd tak.
Comment by Jesper - 23. December 2009 @ 00:12
Har fundet den. Det er den europæiske “open V10B_02″.
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