Virgin Mobile USA Getting NFC Enabled LG Optimus Elite

[phonemagician]

Wirelessly posted (lg optimus v,huawei m835: Opera/9.80 (Android; Opera Mini/7.28879/27.1287; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 Version/11.10)

i just ran into this www.prepaidphonenews.com/2012/03/virgin-mobile-usa-getting-nfc-enabled.html?m=1

[phonemagician]

Wirelessly posted (lg optimus v,huawei m835: Opera/9.80 (Android; Opera Mini/7.28879/27.1287; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 Version/11.10)

sorry i posted in the wrong section

[QE2]

Looks like a decent upgrade from the OV. The biggests advantages are the extra internal storage and camera flash. I doubt we'll see it debut at 120-150. Most likely it will launch at $199, if VM does actually get it.

[kill00]

ughh. There is nothing elite about that phone

[wonshikee]

Considering the amount of ROMs available on OV, doubt this is even worth it...

[JazzJackRabbit]

3.2-inch 480×320 resolution screen? That's.... exactly the same as my Optimus V. Not interested in any phone with less than 800x480 resolution. But keep trying VM, maybe eventually it will come to you...

[Churner]

3.2-inch 480×320 resolution screen? That's.... exactly the same as my Optimus V. Not interested in any phone with less than 800x480 resolution. But keep trying VM, maybe eventually it will come to you...

You and the others who made this point are thinking too small here and ignoring the enhancement that this phone does have. The NFC capability, or more specifically, Google Wallet will be the big selling point here. IMO, there is an expectation that the 18-24 age group will eagerly embrace it. Hundreds of US banks are poised and eager to get US consumers to embrace mobile payments.

You don't even realize that you want this, but you will later this year.

[primetechv2]

NFC won't catch on if Apple doesn't pretend they made it first.

It also won't catch on when people realize what insane potential this has for scams, hoaxes, and all other forms of social engineering.

[wonshikee]

NFC Payment system is pointless. It's trying to fix something not broken with a system that's not even an improvement over the current.

I have a galaxy nexus and tried google wallet several times. I just don't see the appeal of it. The only big reason someone would use it over a card/cash is to say "Look at how hip I am, I'm paying with my phone!"

[the.rmo]

NFC won't catch on if Apple doesn't pretend they made it first.

It also won't catch on when people realize what insane potential this has for scams, hoaxes, and all other forms of social engineering.

NFC Payment system is pointless. It's trying to fix something not broken with a system that's not even an improvement over the current.

I have a galaxy nexus and tried google wallet several times. I just don't see the appeal of it. The only big reason someone would use it over a card/cash is to say "Look at how hip I am, I'm paying with my phone!"

Both of these posts are the truth. I'd never want to pay for something using my phone. Way too much risk involved IMO, for too little (if any) gain in transaction speed.

[JazzJackRabbit]

You and the others who made this point are thinking too small here and ignoring the enhancement that this phone does have. The NFC capability, or more specifically, Google Wallet will be the big selling point here. IMO, there is an expectation that the 18-24 age group will eagerly embrace it. Hundreds of US banks are poised and eager to get US consumers to embrace mobile payments.

You don't even realize that you want this, but you will later this year.

I would have to disagree with you. NFC, even if it's going to be successful (which is still under question), it's going to take at least two years before it becomes commonplace, and that's being very very optimistic. I don't think you realize how much must happen for NFC to become widely adopted. First, customer must own NFC enabled device, and right now we're just seeing such devices making it onto the market, second, retailers must support NFC transactions, third, the software must work flawlessly. Right now NFC has odds stacked against it, if manufacturers refuse to put in NFC chips, NFC will fail, if retail stores refuse to support NFC, it will also fail, honestly, do you really see all major retail and grocery stores such as jewel, dominicks, publix, trader joes, target, walmart, and dozens and dozens of other stores getting off their asses and equipping check out lines with NFC? I don't think so. And if I remember correctly, shortly after Galaxy Nexus announcement Verizon said they will block native google wallet application and replace it with their own system. I have not followed up on that story, but it also should give you an idea how quickly one national carrier can put a kaboose on the whole NFC thing.

Plus, I don't really see the advantage of NFC, either way you're getting stuff out of your pocket, either your phone or your credit card, and credit card cannot die on you because of low battery. Win for the credit card.

Point is, even if NFC succeeds, it will take at least two years before it becomes commonplace. So in two years when it's time to replace my phone again I may get NFC enabled phone, but in the meantime, a 800x480 screen and ICS is much more valuable to me than NFC chip that I can't use anywhere.

[brad4cell]

The reason a NFC phone is a big deal is because it has a smart chip that has the potential to replace all of your credit cards. So your phone could replace your wallet.

Of course unless they digitize your drivers licence on your phone you still need to carry a drivers licence.

The nfc phone also has the potential to replace your car and house keys. So in the future you might only need to carry your phone and nothing else.

However, this phone does not seem like enough of an upgrade from my optimus V so I don't think I will get it. And with NFC being so new it is likely it is not accepted in many places yet.

[wonshikee]

The reason a NFC phone is a big deal is because it has a smart chip that has the potential to replace all of your credit cards. So your phone could replace your wallet.

Of course unless they digitize your drivers licence on your phone you still need to carry a drivers licence.

The nfc phone also has the potential to replace your car and house keys. So in the future you might only need to carry your phone and nothing else.

However, this phone does not seem like enough of an upgrade from my optimus V so I don't think I will get it. And with NFC being so new it is likely it is not accepted in many places yet.

And then you get soaked in the rain, run to your car, and realize your phone is fried and you can't even open the car door, nor pay for a ride home.

keys/cards/cash won't be replaced for a long long time.

[exuberance]

but in the meantime, a 800x480 screen and ICS is much more valuable to me than NFC chip that I can't use anywhere.

Same for me. I rarely carry more than a few bucks in cash, I find my credit card is convenient enough. 800 x 480 would be a much more significant improvement for me. Plus, a lot of people are stuck on contracts. I don't see many people wanting to break contract just for NFC.

I see the potential in NFC, but it's going to take a lot of effort to get it adopted as a common standard.

[stevenjb0]

Don't need to buy a new phone to have NFC.

Just buy a SD card with NFC integrated.