Showing posts with label LG Mobile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LG Mobile. Show all posts

Upcoming smartphones to look forward to – April 2013

The next generation of smartphones will be available on the shelves very soon, and here are some that we’re hoping to see sooner rather than later.
The age of HD is here and the mobile kingdom is expanding exponentially with this technology. And while the bigger players are not so keen on pricing their full HD editions at affordable prices, some of the local talent, and those from our next door neighbours, are more than happy to do so. The next generation of smartphones will be available on the shelves very soon, and here are some that we’re hoping to see sooner rather than later.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Galaxy Mega 6.3

The next generation of Galaxy series devices will be taking the mobile phone display to a higher playing field with the Galaxy 5.8 and Galaxy 6.3. The numbers denote the screen size of both the devices. This might not be the very best step for mobile handsets as larger displays also mean larger devices. The Mega 6.3 is pretty much close to a 7.0-inch tablet, so toting this one around will be a task. The 5.8-inch option could prove to be useful for those with active lifestyles – those who are either constantly networking socially, web browsing to a large extent or emailing constantly. With all of the new TouchWiz goodies, like spilt screen functionality, multi-tasking will also be so much easier. It’s just that you’re going to need larger pockets.

As mega as they get


Both the devices feature HD displays and come equipped with dual-core processors to run Jelly Bean 4.2 out of the box. Here’s a quick look at their features:
  • 5.8-inch QHD TFT display – 6.3-inch HD TFT display
  • 3G, Wi-Fi
  • GPS
  • Bluetooth, NFC
  • 8 megapixel primary camera, 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera
  • 8/16GB internal memory, microSD card support for up to 64GB more memory


Sony Xperia SP

The Xperia SP is essentially a slightly scaled-down version of Sony’s Xperia Z minus the rugged features. Equipped with a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and an Adreno 320 GPU, the SP will ship with Jelly Bean as the OS. Naturally, a slew of Sony features will be part of the make-up, including the new Exmor RS sensor for the 8MP camera and Sony’s Stamina mode to enhance battery life. The device has been constructed using hard plastic with an aluminium frame for support. Taking a cue from the Xperia U, the SP also features a transparent notification strip located at the very bottom of the handset. This will light up to match the reigning display colour or highlight a colour associated with notifications for specific apps, for instance, green for WhatsApp.

A lower end version of the Z and ZL devices


Here are the key specs of the Xperia SP:
  • 4.6-inch display with a 720 x 1280 pixel resolution
  • LTE, HSPA+, GPRS/EDGE
  • Wi-Fi, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, WI-Fi Direct
  • Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, NFC
  • GPS with A-GPS support and GLONASS
  • 8MP camera with LED flash and 1080p video; VGA front-facing camera
  • FM radio
  • MHL for AV Out
  • 8GB internal storage with microSD card slot

The handset is already up for pre-order for Rs 25,490.

Optimus G Pro

LG seems to pioneer the next-gen species of the high-end smartphones, but doesn’t often live up to expectations. However, its Nexus 4 and Optimus G devices proved otherwise in this context despite their few flaws. So, to keep up with the likes of the competition, i.e. the HTC One and the Galaxy S4, LG’s Optimus G Pro was announced. Featuring a Snapdragon 600 chipset for a 1.7GHz, quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and an Adreno 320 GPU for Android Jelly Bean, the G Pro could easily give the HTC One, if not the S4, a run for its money. LG has also incorporated the Dolby Mobile Sound Enhancement system to counter Beats Audio. The super thin bezel also makes it seem like the display real estate was properly utilised.

Picking up where the G left off

The LG Optimus G Pro will feature:
  • 5.5-inch display with a 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution (True full HD IPS LCD)
  • LTE, HSPA+, GPRS/EDGE
  • Wi-Fi, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, WI-Fi Direct
  • Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, NFC
  • GPS with A-GPS support and GLONASS
  • 13MP camera with LED flash and 2.1MP front-facing camera, both with 1080p video recording
  • FM radio
  • MHL for AV Out
  • 32GB internal storage with support for microSD card slot up to 64GB

HTC First

Touted as the next Facebook phone after the ChaCha and the Salsa, Facebook clearly likes HTC for its devices. The First, just another way of taking its "One" series in a slightly different direction, will come with Facebook’s new Android UI, Home, out of the box. The specifications of the handset aren’t going to be the talk of the social town, but they’re good enough to be worthy of consideration. A Snapdragon 400 1.4GHz dual-core processor will be powering the handset along with 1GB of RAM and Andreno 305 GPU for Jelly Bean. Facebook’s Home UI could bring a new experience to the HTC domain, although Sense UI v5 also has quite a bit to offer. The question really is: Whether or not one would want another Facebook phone, or one with a UI, replaceable as it is, directed at a singular social network?

A 'First' for Facebook Home

The HTC First will come with the following features:
  • 4.3-inch display with a 720 x 1280 pixel resolution, Super LCD
  • HSPA+, GPRS/EDGE
  • Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi hotspot,
  • Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, NFC
  • GPS with A-GPS support and GLONASS
  • 5MP camera with LED flash and 1080p video; 1.6MP front-facing camera
  • 16GB internal storage with support for microSD card slot


Micromax Canvas 3D

According to the rumour mill, Micromax seems to have a 3D device in the making. Dubbed the Canvas 3D, the popular Indian brand could be working on a new Canvas device that will feature a 3D display and graphics to support it. There doesn’t seem to be too much information on the device just yet, other than a few specs. Why Micromax would be interested in a technology that clearly hasn’t really been working for mobile devices is a curious thought though. It is possible that this is but a mere rumour, but seeing as Micromax is pushing the envelope with its latest devices and specifications to take on the big guys, a Canvas 3D device just could be possible. However, we’d be more inclined to believe that the next Canvas could feature a full HD display instead.

Another 3D mobile? Really? (mock image)

Here are some of the rumoured features of the Canvas HD:
  • 5.0-inch display with a 480 x 800 pixel resolution
  • 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM
  • 3G, EDGE
  • Wi-Fi, Hot-spot creation
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS with AGPS
  • 8MP camera, 2MP front-facing camera
  • 4GB of internal memory, expandable via microSD cards

That’s our list of smartphones we’re looking forward to in the coming weeks. Although launch dates haven’t been made public for some of the devices, we’re looking at launches within the next month or so. Stay tuned to tech2 for updates.
Report by : Shayne Rana

LG, Huawei and Sony also eyeing Firefox OS smartphones

After Alcatel and ZTE jumped into the Firefox OS pool with the ZTE Open and One Touch Fire devices respectively, it now seems that more manufacturers want to join hands with Mozilla, the latest being LG, Huawei and Sony.


CNET managed to spot LG and Huawei devices running on Mozilla's Firefox OS at the Telefonica booth at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona. Unfortunately, there were no details on the specs, pricing, availability or even the names of these devices.

Sony however, disclosed in an official press release pertaining to the Xperia Z and Xperia Tablet Z launches, that the company in partnership with Telefonica, will be exploring the "development of a handset running Mozilla's Firefox OS open source mobile platform"

"Telefónica and Sony Mobile Communications ("Sony Mobile") today reinforced the strength of their commercial partnership in a multi-year agreement that confirms the operator's ranging support for Sony Mobile's 2013 Xperia Android device portfolio, as well as laying out a joint technical collaboration to explore the development of a handset running Mozilla's Firefox OS open source mobile platform.

It went on to say, "Under the terms of the agreement, Telefónica and Sony Mobile will further strengthen their partnership and investigate emerging technologies such as the Firefox OS platform to extend Sony's premium product portfolio to a wider customer base."

Bob Ishida, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of Products Business Group, Sony Mobile Communications further said, "Our engineers are now working with Firefox OS Mobile and HTML5, evolving technologies which show great potential. In addition, we continue to work with our operator partners, including Telefónica, on a development project with an ambition to bring a product to market in 2014."

Although this hasn't been confirmed, the Firefox OS handset from Sony will most likely be included in the Xperia family.

But unlike Sony, LG and Huawei, ZTE and Alcatel flaunted their entry-level Firfox OS-powered smartphones at the MWC.

The ZTE Open features a 3.5-inch screen with HVGA display and is powered by a Cortex A5 1GHz processor with 256MB of RAM and 512MB of internal storage. It has a 3.2-megapixel rear camera on-board. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, A-GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities. ZTE Open packs in 1,200mAh battery. Pricing of the device is unknown as of now.

The Alcatel One Touch Fire has a 3.5-inch HVGA TN display, a 1GHz processor, 256MB RAM, 512MB storage and a 3.2-megapixel camera.

There are also the usual connectivity options including WiFi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, FM radio and UMTS 900/2100 and 850/1900/2100 (up to 7.2Mbps for download and 5.76Mbps for upload). Underneath the removable 1,400mAh battery, you'll find a microSD slot that'll take anything up to 32GB (a 2GB card is included), as well as a slot for a Mini-SIM card. The device is slated for a June 2013 launch.

Report by : KS Sandhya Iyer

Google underestimated Nexus 4 demand, says LG

Head of handset maker's French division says that forecasts ahead of launch of phone were far too low, leading to frustration for buyers - though LG is not making a loss on sales

Google's Nexus 4, made by LG: how many might have been sold if forecasts had been correct?

Google severely underestimated demand for its Nexus 4 smartphone, the French chief of south Korea's LG, which makes the handset, has told a French paper.

Cathy Robin, director of LG Mobile France, also said that estimates made by websites that fewer than 400,000 of the handsets had been shipped were "much lower than the reality" - but did not to put a figure on shipments.

However she said that Google had forecast high demand in the UK and in Germany than in France, for which she blamed shortages there. That however doesn't explain the shortages and delays suffered by would-be buyers in the UK.

She said that LG is not making a loss on the handset but that "there is an agreement between Google and LG to sell it at a very compelling price."

The interview continues a tit-for-tat in which LG, which has been trying to revive its fortunes after being crushed in the Android market by Samsung, HTC and Sony, was given the accolade of making the reference "Nexus" model by Google ahead of other Android manufacturers, and launched it in November 2012. But with frustrated buyers filling online forums, LG has been the target of complaints that it failed to ramp up supply quickly enough - an allegation that Robin has rebutted.

Instead, she has put the blame back on Google in its forecasting.

The handset, initially offered by Google through its Google Play website, is a well-regarded high-end phone using a "reference" version of Google's mobile Android software. Google offered it as the price of just £239 (8GB) or £279 (16GB) and €349 in Europe - but for £390 (16GB) or €630 through retail outlets and operators. That has led to complaints after the phone became almost immediately unavailable on Google Play after going on sale; before Christmas there was an apology from Google's UK managing director, who blamed LG's "scarce and erratic" supply for the shortage.

But Robin told Challenges.fr that "supply problems are not necessarily completely related to LG. Google presented forecasts according to sales predictions, based on their sales history for the previous Nexus. However they were lower than the actual demand. The current shipments from LG to Google match what has been preordered on the Google Play site. We still ship them regularly. But it's 'just-in-time'. That's why the Nexus 4 is always in showing as sold out and potential buyers have the feeling they can't buy it."

Increasing the pace of shipments would involve a six-week delay, she said - indicating the inertia in the supply chain between LG's factories and customers.

She says that Nexus 4 production will continue, growing in amount, and that by February "there will no longer be any tension [between demand and supply] in the market."

On whether LG's plans to offer Windows Phone handsets, Robin comments that "it's clearly not high priority. We are very pragmatic."

Reprot by : Charles Arthur
Link:

Images of Nexus-branded LG smartphone leaked online

Google and LG are rumoured to have teamed up to manufacture the next Nexus handset. A report published by Android and Me carries images of the handset acquired courtesy of baraholka.onliner.by.

From the images, the face of the handset is similar in design to last year’s hugely popular Galaxy Nexus manufactured by Samsung. The major difference can be seen at the back of the device, where it has a crystal-like design that it gives it an overall rich and classy finish.

Stylish back

The report by Android and Me also states that this device has been codenamed 'Mako'. Through the NenaMark benchmark, we can see a range of specifications that will feature in this handset. This matches up with previous rumours about the smartphone featuring Qualcomm’s 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro with Adreno 320 GPU.

The LG-manufactured Nexus is expected to come with 2GB of RAM, a 1280 x 768 True-High Definition IPS display, an 8-megapixel camera, and a non-removable battery. It will also have no microSD slot, and from 8GB to 16GB of internal storage.

Front looks similar to the Galaxy Nexus

Google will co-host the launch event with LG, where it will introduce the next version of Android – version 4.2, rumoured to be named Key Lime Pie – along with a new phone, presumably a Nexus based on LG’s recently announced Optimus G. The report also states that the Google’s Nexus flagship device concept is going to undergo a major overhaul. Now, any manufacturer will be able to release a smartphone under the Nexus banner, but they will have to adhere to some strict rules set by Google. According to the rules, manufacturers must use stock Android and have 64MB of secure memory for media streaming. Custom UI skins such as HTC’s Sense UI or Samsung’s TouchWiz will be allowed in the new Customization Center. Also, some hardware requirements must be met so that the devices will be able to run Android v5.0, scheduled to arrive by fall 2013.

Although Google seems to be about ready to showcase the next version of Android, devices that run on the operating system are still heavily fragmented. According to a recent report, only about 23.7 percent of all Android devices are running on Ice Cream Sandwich, with 1.8 percent running Jelly Bean.

Report by: Aaron Almeida

One Nexus per year is past; HTC, Sony, Samsung, LG working on Nexus phones - report

Seems like we are really going to see multiple Nexus smartphones this year and the manufacturers working on next Nexus smartphones are HTC, Sony, LG and Samsung, reported Digitimes citing industry sources.

Digitimes might not be the most trusted source around, but tech blog Android and Me too had recently posted a similar report corroborating the launch of multiple Nexus phones.

According to Android and Me, Google is changing the way Nexus partners are chosen, and from now on any Android manufacturer will be able to partner Google for making Nexus smartphones, given it adheres to certain conditions.

These conditions include the obvious "use of stock Android", 64MB of secure memory for media streaming, and future-proof hardware to support next Android version, claims the blog.

There is also a surprise in the form of customisation center, which will allow manufacturers to include to their own software customisations in Nexus devices, which was not possible until now. However users will have no obligation to use them.

Google reportedly will allow branded vendors to set hardware specifications as well as looks of the forthcoming Nexus smartphones as long as the models are based on its latest native Android system, claimed Digitimes.

Next Nexus makers

A previous report from WSJ and now Digitimes, both hint that HTC, LG, Sony and Samsung are working on the next crop of Nexus devices. We have however only heard about LG and HTC devices in the leaks till now. Samsung and Sony's alleged Nexus smartphones are more or less absent from the rumours and leaks till now.

Android and Me, which has got the information from credible sources, states that LG's Optimus G Nexus is going to be one of the next Nexus smartphones and it will come with 1,5GHz quad-core processor, 8MP camera, and will look different than the current LG Optimus G.

On the other hand, HTC's rumoured Nexus 5 packs a 1080p 5-inch display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor 64GB internal storage and 2GB of RAM.

When

The latest rumours suggest the new Nexus smartphones are going to be launched sometime in early November, however we will see the next Android version 4.2 at AllThingsD's Dive into Mobile conference in October-end, where Android boss Andy Rubin is scheduled to speak.

Report by: Gaurav Shukla

LG releases video showcasing QSlide feature of Optimus G

LG is all set to release its new flagship device – the LG Optimus G. The company has been showcasing many features of the phone. It has now released a video that shows one of the new features, called QSlide. The video shows many uses of the QSlide feature, such as multitasking and managing privacy around other people.

QSlide allows you to change the transparency of apps that are running at the same time. This feature enables you to do things such as texting or browsing the web while watching a video. Another great feature, as showcased in the funny ad, was privacy. You could quickly raise or lower the transparency of certain windows to show or hide what you’re doing. Another feature was the ability to make quick drawings. This could mostly be useful for taking down notes or setting up important reminders.

Here is a quick look at some of the main features of the LG Optimus G:

  • 4.7-inch True HD IPS+ display with a resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels
  • LTE, 3G, EDGE/GPRS and Wi-Fi capabilities for net access, NFC
  • GPS, A-GPS
  • Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0
  • 13 MP camera with LED flash and 1.3MP secondary camera up front
  • 32GB Internal memory
  • MHL, DLNA


LG claims that with the powerful quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor as its base, and the best technologies in the industry for enhanced viewing and longer battery life, LG adds the finishing touches on the Optimus G with a sleek design and innovative UX features. The brand claims that the offerings in the Optimus G will provide users an experience currently unavailable on any other smartphone.

Features an interesting the new QSlide

“The Optimus G is a groundbreaking premium device not only in the history of LG but also in the smartphone industry,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “With the Optimus G, users will be able to experience unsurpassed UX features that will allow them to perform tasks that really enhance their daily lives.”

LG claims that the technologies such as the Zerogap Touch and True HD IPSPLUS Display from LG Innotek and LG Display harmonise to offer the slimmest, sharpest and clearest viewing experience yet. The new battery from LG Chem which is a 2100mAh battery has a longer life of 800 cycles, a significant improvement over existing mobile phone batteries. An ultra high-resolution, compact 13MP camera is employed in the Optimus G to offer the sharpest photos without pixelation – even when creating extra-large prints.

LG Display’s contribution to the project was in the development of a new mobile display that is clearer than AMOLED displays but requires less power. LG Display’s True HD IPS+ Display is sharper than today’s AMOLED displays due to its high pixel density of 320ppi (1280 x 768 pixels) and Stripe RGB IPS Panel. This new display is capable of generating 470nits of brightness while consuming 70 percent less power compared to others when displaying a white background. Furthermore, True HD IPS+ Display does not suffer from screen burn-in as AMOLED displays have been known to do.

Report by: Shunal Doke

Specifications of the LG Optimus Vu II leak

Earlier this year, LG had launched its own attempt at a 5-inch phablet device – the LG Optimus Vu. Now, the company is all set to introduce a successor to the device in the form of the LG Optimus Vu II, probably in competition to Samsung’s Galaxy Note II. According to GSMArena, the specifications of the new device have been leaked.

The most notable upgrade to the device will be in the battery. The original Optimus Vu had a 2080 mAh battery, and LG is giving the battery a slight bump up, making it a 2150 mAh battery. Other than the battery, though, the device looks more or less untouched.
The specs of the LG Optimus Vu II (image credit: GSMArena)
Here is a quick look at some of the highlighted features of the original LG Optimus Vu:
  • 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1024 x 768
  • 3G, LTE, EDGE/GPRS, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, NFC
  • GPS with A-GPS
  • Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP
  • 8 megapixel camera with 1080p HD video recording, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera
  • 32 GB of internal storage


The device runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual core processor. According to figures by LG, more than 500,000 units of the the Optimus Vu had been sold since the handset’s March debut in Korea by April, demonstrating public acceptance of its form-factor. The reception the device received in Korea prompted LG to launch the Optimus Vu in Japan earlier this month, where it has been received positively.

For the global roll-out, the Optimus Vu was equipped with the NVIDIA Tegra 3 mobile processor, and the fast 4-Plus-1 quad-core processor with the fifth battery-saver core, which offers a superb balance of performance and power requirements. Four cores are used for high performance tasks such as games and multitasking. For voice calls, email, music, and video playback, only the fifth core is enabled.

When paired with the high-resolution 5-inch, 4:3 ratio IPS display, the Optimus Vu becomes a device that’s both pocketable and spacious. The Optimus Vu will come with an upgraded version of QuickMemo and Notebook, two features that make great use of the large display real estate.

“The different form factor makes Optimus Vu: unique even in the 5-inch smartphone category which we expect will catch on once they become more widely available,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company.

LG’s other smartphone – the LG Optimus G – is all set to be the flagship phone for the company. LG claims that with the powerful quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor as its base, and the best technologies in the industry for enhanced viewing and longer battery life, LG adds the finishing touches on the Optimus G with a sleek design and innovative UX features. The brand claims that the offerings in the Optimus G will provide users an experience currently unavailable on any other smartphone.

Report by: Shunal Doke

Copyright © 2015 Dynamic Technology

Designed by