LG

Is there any chance that LG is looking into updating the browser and adding full flash support for this phone? It is quite sad that it is running the crippled version of flash lite (considering flash 10.1 was just released for mobile). At this rate, the phone will not live a useful life through the end of a 2 year contract! I am also interested in seeing the option to use the Opera browser instead of telca browser (which seems to be half done).

I have also noticed several bugs(oversights) with the phone/firmware.

1. The tritan is capable of displaying pdf files from the sd card. That is just dandy except for the fact that the browser IS NOT capable of rendering pdf's, therefore it is near useless to have pdf support in the first place. There is also no support for downloading media of any kind(which is stupid for a phone that is supposed to be a "hybrid MEDIA phone").

2. Native email support. This phone needs a native email client instead of the terrible service provider brew application which was written for other model phones.

3. The browser, once active does not allow any way to access a dismissed text message without exiting (if a text pops up during the operation, it can be viewed, but if dismissed, the browser must be exited to view the text). This is just plain silly considering the fact that the browser has the ability to use the text functions of the phone (it can text a link to another person).

4. The browser cannot have its "local" homepage changed to anything except file:///homepage.html. It would be a wonderful idea to add other local pages to cut down on wasted bandwidth.

5. The browser DOES NOT have any way to change the volume level of the phone without exiting. This is a large oversight considering the capabilities of this phone. Use the picture button for a secondary "shift" key (picture+volume... etc). This shift scheme would also allow the use of the media player during browser operation(shift+talk opening a secondary menu allowing access to other current applications)

6. A2DP will randomly drop out, causing all sound to be diverted out of the rear speaker. This should not default to this behavior. The phone should default to a mute state. If A2DP headphones are connected, but not done from WITHIN the media player, sound is transferred to the rear speaker until the headphones are disconnected and reconnected from within the media player.

7. The media player does not appear to be able to be operated while in "micro" mode on the main screen.

8. On the "slide open" screen, it seems that the 2 forms of message (picture, text) should be combined and a "media" icon should be added.

9. J2ME is not supported with this device (which I can somewhat understand due to the corrupt and greedy nature of the brew platform)

I believe with these modifications, the LG Tritan might be an acceptable phone to compete with the "smartphones" for at least 2-3 years.
I would also like to state that LG is more than welcome to use me as a guinea pig for all of these modifications, and I would be more than willing to help with any changes/updates that they would like to release on the phone. (hear that LG? I wanna beta test your stuff...)

-Gigabite

Great Comments, I've passed them on to be reviewed... It sounds like you have really dug into the phone, I'll pass your email address on so if they want to they can contact you.

Great review! you are conducting a really good research about the phone.

Any news on a new firmware or any progress on UX840 issues? If not, does anyone know the exact specs of the UX840? (processor, memory, etc...)

No progress on an update that I am aware of. If one becomes available your Dealer should be alerted and I'll post any info that comes my way But at this point I haven't heard anything. As Technical Specs, I don't have any available.

gigabite....I agree with 50 % of your points as I have not tried the other 50% of your points. Personally I think the entire phone is just a beta testing phone. Knowing 4g was coming at the time plus the fact that the tritan never really was a "smartphone" I can bet that Lg R&D labs will not come out with a update or anything else for that matter as they want to spend all there time and effort into creating the next big thing, 4g is here and thats where research and development will go. It sucks...I'm in the same boat as you.....I have the same phone, and I also have issues with email and picture msg, and as everyone has figured out...the battery life is terrible. The browser is completely slow, no java support. etc.... You have really done your homework on this phone, however I would be really surprised if an update is coming simply because droids/4g is now.... Most phones have a life expectancey of 2-3 years and most updates would happen within the first year of their release. what I mean is people tend to upgrade there phone after the contract so why put the effort into an outdated phone. As a matter of fact This phone may be discontinued. look here http://www.handcellphone.com/free-cell-phone/lg-tritan-ax840-black-touch-phone-alltel-wireless/ try doing a google search. BTW the processor is an 850 mhz. thanks for your updates/comments on the phone!