Review: LG Spectrum for Verizon Wireless
Music
The new Google Music is the default media player on the Spectrum. It lets users store and access their own songs from the cloud, as well as sample, download, and listen to new music by track or by album. Google Music can be used to stream your content over the network, and you can also sync playlists to the phone's storage for listening when offline.
The actual Google Music store itself is OK, but doesn't compare to the selection of the iTunes or Amazon MP3 music stores.
Beyond Google's software, there is a ridiculous amount of software on board from Verizon: Rhapsody, V Cast Media Manager, V Cast Tones, BitBop, and TuneWiki.
Video
The Spectrum has the stock Android video player, which handles both recorded and side-loaded content. It also has the stock YouTube application, which continues to be really good. You can rent movies from the Android Market. Rental prices are in-line with those of other services.
As far as sharing media is concerned, the Spectrum ships with software called "SmartShare." This uses the DLNA protocol to push music, pictures, and videos to other DLNA devices, such as HDTVs.
The Spectrum ships with BlockBuster, Netflix, NFL Mobile, Smart Movie HD, Verizon Video, and Video Surf. Wanna spend a buck or two on video content? Verizon makes sure you have plenty of places to waste your money.
Media Widget
The Spectrum has this crazy huge media widget that takes up an entire home screen panel. It's a carousel that floats in the middle of the screen and you swipe up or down to see your videos, albums, photos, and so on. It's a neat way to provide access to media files without sticking fifteen different widgets on the home screen. It offers previews of the content in each category, such as recent pictures you've taken, or recently added music to your library.
Hands On with the LG Spectrum for Verizon
LG Announces Spectrum for Verizon
LG Spectrum
