Its specs read from the dream of some geek, and according to hand on demonstrations, it would seem that the LG Optimus 3D might just be the phone to beat this year. Of course, it has not been released yet but it has developed quite a fan base, and with LG aiming squarely at Samsung’s Galaxy S line with their Optimus line, we do not doubt that this could become LG’s flagship device for the 2011 fiscal year.
At the heart of the device is a Texas Instruments 1GHz OMAP4 3D dual-core processor with support for stereoscopic functionality. Basically, this translates into 2D content being displayed at full 1080p when output to an HD capable screen and 3D content is played at midrange 720p resolution on a stereoscopic display.
The phone has a 4.3-inch LCD stereoscopic touchscreen which allows you to view 3D content sans 3D glasses. Android 2.2 Froyo is coming on the device at launch but LG claims that there will be a 2.3 Gingerbread update coming shortly after launch. We’ll just have to see what “shortly” means to LG. The phones storage will come with 3D content and 3D content can be downloaded via LG’s movie app. Owners of the Optimus 3D will be able to enjoy 3D games as well with titles coming from Gamesloft via the games portal on the devices application list. Best of all, users will be able to record their own 3D content thanks to dual-core 5 megapixel cameras around the back.
So far, the device looks very promising and seeing that this the only 3D smartphone available on the market, for those who would like to see their content in 3D, this just might be the device. It has now been confirmed that Three will carry the device and we’ll update you with more info as we get it.
LG has made it known in no uncertain terms that they intend to launch the Optimus 3D at their keynote in Barcelona Spain next Monday at the premier of this year’s Mobile World Congress. However, that does not mean that new videos that tickle ones fancy cannot be leaked before the event, such as the video that was leaked a few days ago.
In the video the phone is shown in a series of shots from as many possible angles as one could imagine. More importantly, it is clear to see that there are 2 cameras on the rear of the device which can only lead us to speculate that the phone will not only be able to view 3D content, but record 3D content as well. There is also a voice that comes along saying: “Finally, a smartphone that sees the world like we do.” The video ends with the same voice saying: “Entering a new dimension with LG Optimus” and “No longer just an idea.”
So far, the rumored specs have been claim there will be HDMI support as well as DLNA, sensors will be limited to accelerometer and compass while the internet browser will support HTML 5 and Flash, thanks to the Android operating system.
The processor has been confirmed to be NVIDIA’s new dual-core Tegra 2 CPU with a clock speed of 1000MHz as well as 3D graphics hardware acceleration. Surprisingly, we’re hearing that Froyo, Android 2.2 and not Gingerbread will be coming to the device. But thanks to a 4 inch display and a 480 x 800 pixel density, even if those facts do turn out to be true, at least the prospect of viewing your phone’s content in 3D will be none too boring.
It has been known for some time that LG is planning a huge announcement at Mobile World Congress regarding its intentions and plan of action regarding its future in the mobile arena. Those plans includes the announcement of a 3D cellphone that will run Gingerbread (Android 2.3) as well as a full range of other mobile products, most of which will come under the Optimus moniker.
That said, the Korean company has confirmed that not only will it announce cellphones at Mobile World Congress, but an LG Optimus Pad is on the table. The tablet is expected to be the European version of the G-Tablet, one that was announced for T-Mobile earlier this year at Consumer Electronic Show back in January.
If this is the case, more naturally, the tablet will feature a Tegra 2 processor from NVIDIA and a version of the ARM architecture chip as well as an 8.9 inch capacitive touchscreen with a 6.400 mAh batter. Last but not least, we’re sure it will be running Androids latest OS, Honeycomb, which is specifically designed for tablets, although Google has hinted that they intend to bring the OS to smaller screens in the not so distant future.
Thanks to the fact that Motorola is releasing their tablet later this month on Verizon in the United States and HP planning an event this week where they will announce their latest products which is said to include a webOS tablet among webOS 2.0 cellphones, the tablet sector is really heating up and has been cannibalizing the sales of netbooks which have seen a sharp decline in consumer interest since the iPad was launched last year and multiple vendors have been showing off their plans for the mobile space. MWC is planned for the 14th of this month and we will be bringing you the latest as it happens.
LG has been one of the major players in the Android arena as of lately, with the suspected launch of the Optimus 2X at WMC next month and the company’s push to fill out the entire Optimus line, LG is working overtime to make huge competition with Samsung, Motorola and HTC who currently sit as the premier OEM’s of Android devices.
Recently, another device from LG’s forthcoming lineup has been leaked, dubbed the Optimus ME, with a model number that reads P350, the device clocks in under the midrange lineup for the company’s devices. According to leaked documents, the device will be available in five different colors, black, silver, sky blue, pink and red.
The phone will run under the GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz band with UMTS coming under the 900/2100 MHz band.
The phone’s dimensions are 113.5 x 59 x 13.3 mm with a weight of just 130 g. The display is rated at 320 x 480 pixels and the screen type is TFT boasting over 262k colors. On the back is a 3.0 megapixel camera which has a max resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. There is no secondary camera however and as such won’t support most video chat applications.
On the wireless front, there is Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB as well as GPS. Support for GPRS, EDGE and #G are included. In built memory is 140MB and can be expanded to an unknown size via microSD/TransFlash. Last but not least, the battery is rated at 450 hours of standby and 300 minutes of talk time thanks to its 1500mAh capacity.
No information on release date, but the device will be running Android, though the specific version has not been released yet. We do expect the device to make an official appearance at WMC sometime next month, so stay tuned.
Apple’s iPad 2 is back in the spotlight again and this time, thanks to a new confirmation from Apple that the device will be able to support video chat thanks to the dual camera feature. While we already knew early on that a camera would be part of the device’s specs, nobody could confirm that a second front-facing camera would also be available.
Also from Apple is a new patent for software technology that would allow app sharing among smart phone users. This new feature has yet to see any practical use in the industry, though it is likely that Apple has already got a business model to make full use of this feature. Hopefully, Apple also starts convincing developers to create more game and application demos in order to encourage people to buy more from the iTunes store.
LG and Samsung may have a little bit on the fence about updating their top Android devices to version 2.3 Gingerbread. While the exact reasons have been lost in all the confusion and conflicting information (LG’s Facebook page stated that the 600MHz CPU was not enough, though it was never stated by Google that the Android would need a 1GHz processor in the first place –and it does not).
In any case, the 2.3 update has been confirmed for both developers and specially their phones: the Optimus One and the Galaxy S. Both devices are now confirmed to be compatible and waiting for the next Android update. Speaking of the i9000 Galaxy S from Samsung, the update to version 2.3 will also be appearing early for users under T-Mobile UK and 3 UK. LG’s Optimus One still has no confirmed network operators that will be offering the update when it launches.
Microsoft has announced that it will be paying developers of the Windows Phone 7 mobile platform as early as January –as opposed to February. The good news just came in just a while ago and is part of the new developer payout system that MS will be implanting starting next year.
Korea’s two largest mobile phone makers have certainly made an impact in the industry. Currently, the LG and Samsung both occupy spots in the top three mobile phone manufacturers in the world –coming in second only to Finnish super giant Nokia. It is also pretty well known in the industry that the two are solid supporters of the Google Android operating system as well.
LG’s Optimus series focuses on both the Windows Phone 7 and the Google Android mobile platforms with Samsung’s Galaxy line up of devices are composed of a pure Android line (including the Galaxy Tab touch screen tablet). However, despite their strong backing for the open source platform –and the fact that Samsung has had a direct hand in the development of the Nexus S, the bottom line is that both companies still do not know what to do with the Android Gingerbread update.
This is mostly due to the fact that Google has yet to release specific details on the hardware requirements for the latest version of the platform. LG has already made the mistake of jumping the gun by announcing yesterday that there would be no update for the Optimus One with its 600MHz CPU. The statement has since been retracted and now, LG is still undecided.
The same goes for Samsung. With the Galaxy S already doing so well, they see no reason to back off from a good formula; while they are not against an update, they would like to see first how it would affect the overall performance of the device.
In any case, there is really no need for further concern. The Android update to Gingerbread is still not officially out, and many phones are still waiting for an Android 2.2 Froyo update. Google will certainly be helping out manufacturers make the transition once the update is officially available for download.
HTC has got a massive triple update for the tech industry. First up are two devices launching in the US –which is normally not our concern, but as proven since time and time again, US carrier exclusives are hardly just that. In fact, many devices there are originally mean to be exclusive still ended up in local store shelves in the UK –the only difference being the fact that the name of the handset has been changed a bit.
The third bit of news concerns the launch of the HTC Legend Froyo update. Of course, those under Vodafone UK and Orange Mobile are not really concerned at all about this –considering the fact that their updates have been out for quite some time now. This new update for Froyo is available for PAYG, SIM-free and other HTC Legend users.
LG has just acquired VMware and from the looks of it, they have a pretty solid game plan in mind. The Korean phone maker seems set on creating a new office phone –one that combines the leisure of a personal device, and one with security protocols for business users. This is achieved through the use of a virtual machine which creates a secondary system on the device –one that can be controlled by an IT department.
Speaking of LG, their newly launched P500 Optimus One smart phone will not be updated to beyond 2.2 Froyo (which means that the Gingerbread is out of the question). As for the reason why, nobody truly knows; the Facebook page for the LG phone states that it does not have a 1GHz CPU –which is in no way a requirement for the latest Android version. Hopefully, LG will be clearing up this matter.
Lastly, ZTE’s UK sales performance has just been released, showing a massive jump from 1.5 million to 4 million in terms of sales from last year to this year.
JCB’s brand name has long been associated with devices that are strong and durable, after all, the manufacturer of the world’s first Toughphone certainly made an impression in the mobile phone industry.
Electronics has always been treated as delicate, fragile equipment that could not be stressed in terms of physical abuse. But the Toughphone is different; it packs power, it is extremely durable. Their latest handset, the Tradesman, is quite famous for being pretty water proof: the big challenge was to have the device submerged completely in water for at least six hours. This was right after the handset was buried under rubble and was dragged around by a car on the pavement –and no, we are not exaggerating.
The device’s coolest feature is that it floats –yes, it literally floats. Not only does it withstand being underwater, it can actually bring itself back to the surface. This is the perfect handset for those who bring their phones into the tub or even the poolside.
LG’s Optimus One Android 2.2 handset has just been confirmed as available on the Carphone Warehouse. The device is an impressive mini phone that sports some decent specs. The processor is only 600MHz so do not expect the same speed and power as the high end devices. The phone also comes packed with a 3.2 inch touch screen display and a 1500 mAh battery.
Lastly, the latest addition to the Symbian^3 lineup has just been outed. With the Nokia N8 and C7 handsets struggling to make sales, the Nokia C6-01 is the perfect addition for those who wanted a handset that was a lot cheaper than the usual price tags. At only 260 Euros (more or less), the C6-01 is practical in both features and size. The phone comes with an 8 mega pixel camera, support for HD video recording and playback as well as a 3.2 inch AMOLED touch screen display.
Strategy Analytics has officially announced that Apple’s iPhone sales have now surpassed that of RIM’s BlackBerry handsets. The folks at Cupertino have taken an ego bruising blow from Google several weeks back when it was announced that they were trailing behind the leader pack in distribution right after Android distribution surpassed both BB OS and iOS devices. With 14.1 million handsets being brought out to the market, Apple is now aiming its sights at catching up to the Android. RIM made 12.1 million units during the same economic period.
Phone manufacturer Samsung has announced that profits has risen a dramatic 12% for this quarter. With 71.4 million handsets being sold all over the world in the past three months, it is no wonder that this Korean phone maker stands as the third largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. The sales of the Android Galaxy series, particularly, the Galaxy S, has further pushed the Samsung brand’s reputation in the smart phone industry.
LG on the other is not doing so well, the current sales shows a significant decrease from their performance last year –an outstanding 99% decrease is hitting the Korean phone maker pretty hard. As a precursor this, LG’s CEO has recently stepped down from his post as inactivity within the company has seen a continued decrease of profits for LG this year.
Motorola has just announced that sales are now continuously growing. While the situation for the phone maker was not as dire as it was for Sony Ericsson last year, the fact that Motorola was bordering on the red for the most of 2009 was not a good sign. With the release of the DROID/Milestone series, the company has since picked up its pace and is expected to bring in a better profit margin in the coming months.
LG, or Lucky Goldstar, is a pretty big name in the mobile industry. The Korean electronics manufacturer has been developing some pretty interesting devices as of late and among these is a touch screen tablet that has had plenty of folks excited.
According to reports, this very same tablet is already deep in the development process but has been delayed due to certain issues with the instability of the Android operating system. And until Google is able to create a more stable version of the OS, the LG tablet will stay delayed.
Now, Google obviously has no responsibility in this matter, after all, it is LG’s prerogative to create the hardware. Besides, with plenty of other tablet devices running the Android OS already coming (take the Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab for example) and showing that they can run the Android 2.2 just fine and LG’s arguments show that they are the ones that are having issues running the OS properly on their device.
The big clincher here however, is the fact that Google has already declared the Android operating system as unsuitable for tablet devices. While manufacturers are banking on the Android’s fame as a mobile platform to sell their tablet devices, they are completely ignoring the Google Chrome operating system (not to be mistaken for the Google Chrome browser). Sure, the Android OS can work on a tablet –we have all seen that already, but Google’s Chrome OS is far more suitable for non-mobile devices.
Perhaps part of this confusion is due to the public’s own misconception of the two platforms. After all, many feel that after the launch of the Android OS, development of the Chrome platform has been greatly neglected. Even Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer states that the Google needs to make up its mind and choose just one –though that would defeat the point of having two platforms targeting specific industry needs.
It has been known for some time that 
Apple’s iPad 2 is back in the spotlight again and this time, thanks to a new confirmation from 
HTC
JCB’s brand name has long been associated with devices that are strong and durable, after all, the manufacturer of the world’s first Toughphone certainly made an impression in the mobile phone industry.
Strategy Analytics has officially announced that 
Motorola
LG