Optimus NOT for use in the dark or at night?

[AirCatHeavy]

Hi,
I have an Optimus V and I find the darn thing unfriendly in the dark and or at night.

The button back-lights are dismally dim and VERY hard to see. Not only that they are microscopically small on top of that. What was LG thinking?

Even worse, they time out really quickly and there eto be no "easy" way (remember, we're in the total darkness) to get them back on?

I know there is an App for the Optimus 2x but I can't find anything for a regular Optimus that would increase the brightness of the button back-lighting.

Is anyone else having this problem or are the buttons on my Optimus just unusually dim compared to other Optimus phones?

thx

 

[Petrah]

Those buttons are a bit like a keyboard. With practice, you learn where/what they are by memory and without looking... so there's really no need to extend the backlighting. I think it took me 10 minutes to memorize which ones do what.

 

[AirCatHeavy]

thx

But remember, for every year past age 25, add 5 minutes to that

 

[Petrah]

thx

But remember, for every year past age 25, add 5 minutes to that

I'm in my 40's... don't I know it!

 

[tcat007]

Man, I have my brightness at 20% and at night it's blinding. 4 lower buttons are "dim" but they are lit and very easy to see (you do have to hit ONE of them to turn them on), just have to make sure you have the phone right side up.

 

[melim]

I'm in my 40's... don't I know it!

Hehe. Make it easy on yourself- just remember where the back button is to turn the screen on. Then do everything else on the screen. I can do this when I'm half asleep, in the dark, even with my aged, feeble brain. Of course, my back button will probably stop working or fall out or otherwise fail, but I'll deal with that when it happens.

 

[benslgdroid]

For phone keys they are fairly large and decently bright

 

[AirCatHeavy]

For phone keys they are fairly large and decently bright

Not sure we're talking about the same phone

Or...mine has a SERIOUS button lighting problem...(I'm begining to suspect it might).

I've read reviews of the Optimus and one of the complaints reviewers had was small, recessed buttons. I dont recall the mention of dimly lit buttons though.

Ever seen a Samsung Intercept's keys in the dark ?

Now THATS what I'm talking about
The buttons on THAT phone are SUPERB !!!!

 

[AirCatHeavy]

Man, I have my brightness at 20% and at night it's blinding. 4 lower buttons are "dim" but they are lit and very easy to see (you do have to hit ONE of them to turn them on), just have to make sure you have the phone right side up.

When I try to use it in the dark, the Screen (even on low settings) seems to overpower the dimply lit keys.

But you know what, I've only had it for one day. Maybe I'll get used to it.

And hey, unnecessary sarcasm roughness on the 30 yd line there 007 !
10 yard penalty!

 

[Petrah]

Not sure we're talking about the same phone

Or...mine has a SERIOUS button lighting problem...(I'm begining to suspect it might).

I've read reviews of the Optimus and one of the complaints reviewers had was small, recessed buttons. I dont recall the mention of dimly lit buttons though.

Ever seen a Samsung Intercept's keys in the dark ?

Now THATS what I'm talking about
The buttons on THAT phone are SUPERB !!!!

When I try to use it in the dark, the Screen (even on low settings) seems to overpower the dimply lit keys.

But you know what, I've only had it for one day. Maybe I'll get used to it.

And hey, unnecessary sarcasm roughness on the 30 yd line there 007 !
10 yard penalty!

I have an Intercept, and those buttons are kinda bright.

I think perhaps the idea behind designing the backlight so dim on the OpV keys is so that your eyes aren't distracted from the screen. A good design concept... IMHO of course. Honestly though (and I promise I'm not being a smartass) it's only 4 keys to remember... and I know they're tiny, but they're meant to be fingertip keys. If they were any larger, the phone wouldn't have that sleek look, which I think is a good selling point for the phone (it's sleek look I mean).

 

[AirCatHeavy]

I have an Intercept, and those buttons are kinda bright.

I think perhaps the idea behind designing the backlight so dim on the OpV keys is so that your eyes aren't distracted from the screen. A good design concept... IMHO of course. Honestly though (and I promise I'm not being a smartass) it's only 4 keys to remember... and I know they're tiny, but they're meant to be fingertip keys. If they were any larger, the phone wouldn't have that sleek look, which I think is a good selling point for the phone (it's sleek look I mean).

ok.
I may get used to them. After all, I only got it yesterday.
I do believe you're correct when you say after a while you know where the keys are and it becomes natural. That's true with guitar and lots of things that you "learn" and adjust to.

Tell me, "NNF", is the power button the only way to put the screen back to sleep?
I have my screen timeout set to 2 minutes but sometimes I'm done sooner.
Reaching up top for the power button feels a bit inconvenient as well. I know, LAZEEEEE. HaHa!

 

[Petrah]

ok.

Tell me, "NNF", is the power button the only way to put the screen back to sleep?
I have my screen timeout set to 2 minutes but sometimes I'm done sooner.
Reaching up top for the power button feels a bit inconvenient as well. I know, LAZEEEEE. HaHa!

Agreed 100%. I don't care for the power button being up top... guess I'm used to holding down the back button to lock the screen lol. The Intercept spoiled us in some regards hehe.

As for locking the screen without hitting that button.. I have WidgetLocker (a paid app) that allows you to lock the screen using a widget on the desktop. It does more than that of course (allows you to customize the lockscreen).

 

[weddle]

I have WidgetLocker (a paid app) that allows you to lock the screen using a widget on the desktop. It does more than that of course (allows you to customize the lockscreen).

I have the same app, and not to hijack, but where is that widget? I looked about everywhere and couldn't find it

 

[AirCatHeavy]

I have the same app, and not to hijack, but where is that widget? I looked about everywhere and couldn't find it

Squawks 7700

 

[benslgdroid]

Not sure we're talking about the same phone

Or...mine has a SERIOUS button lighting problem...(I'm begining to suspect it might).

I've read reviews of the Optimus and one of the complaints reviewers had was small, recessed buttons. I dont recall the mention of dimly lit buttons though.

Ever seen a Samsung Intercept's keys in the dark ?

Now THATS what I'm talking about
The buttons on THAT phone are SUPERB !!!!

Maybe because I'm use to the palm centro which are much much smaller.

 

[AirCatHeavy]

Maybe because I'm use to the palm centro which are much much smaller.

ok.

I have kinda big hands I suppose.

If Palm was today what it was relative to the market back when, we'd ALL be clamoring for Palm smart phones. Some of their designs were really well implemented.

 

[AirCatHeavy]

Found and installed this.....

Screen Lock Widget

Icemountain Labs

Works great and it's FREE !!!
Very simple to install and use.
Just puts the above icon on your phone.
One touch locks the screen and turns it off.

 

[ProgramIchiban]

I found a really great way to sleep your screen is using a free app called Proximity Screen Off. You know how when you are making a call and the screen goes dark just before you put it to you face? It uses the same proximity sensors on the top left of the phone to put it to sleep. You can just hover your hand or your thumb over the sensors and it will put the phone to sleep without even touching it. It makes for a cool magic trick too hehe. I found this very helpful when my phone pocket dials too. I have it set so that It doesnt turn off when it's sideways though. I can still text sideways without turning off my screen by accident. Try it out.

 

[benslgdroid]

ok.

I have kinda big hands I suppose.

If Palm was today what it was relative to the market back when, we'd ALL be clamoring for Palm smart phones. Some of their designs were really well implemented.

All the new hp stuff is palm they bought out palm and changed the name to hp at the end of last year.

 

[AirCatHeavy]

All the new hp stuff is palm they bought out palm and changed the name to hp at the end of last year.

Not sure HP can give it that uniqueness and innovation that Palm gave it.

 

[tcat007]

LOL! Yeah "tcat" was taken when I signed up, so I "bonded" the 007 to it.

I'm sure you'll get use to it, the keys I don't like are the volume up and down, I can never seem to find the right one or push it in the right spot. The 4 function keys at least stick out a little and you can feel by touch, and they turn on as soon as you hit one.

When I try to use it in the dark, the Screen (even on low settings) seems to overpower the dimply lit keys.

But you know what, I've only had it for one day. Maybe I'll get used to it.

And hey, unnecessary sarcasm roughness on the 30 yd line there 007 !
10 yard penalty!

 

[AirCatHeavy]

Is there any way to get the button back light to come on WITHOUT pressing one of them?

With the Intercept all you have to do is THINK about one of them and they light up nice and bright.