Samsung has been getting a ton of attention with its various Galaxy S Android phones and Korean competitor LG Corp isn’t happy about it. To strike back, the company has revealed details on its upcoming Optimus phones and teased an Android tablet. Here are some details from the press release:
LG Optimus One with Google offers the latest in Google mobile features and connects seamlessly to the world. Its ability to connect effortlessly to Google’s Android Market delivers an unfiltered and genuine smartphone user experience. Also, a convenient user interface and diverse multimedia options ensure a mobile environment that makes this device one of the easiest to use on the market.
The LG Optimus Chic caters to fashion aficionados with its tasteful design incorporating soft and smooth lines. The handset’s sleek curves set a new standard for smartphone design, challenging the perception that advanced Android devices need to appeal to a hardcore tech crowd to gain widespread acceptance.
Yes, this post was mostly written because I thought it would be funny to use Optimus Prime on the home page. The cute Korean models picture above was just a bonus. Seriously though, I’ve loved the design of past LG phones. The company’s use of brushed aluminum made for some handsome handsets.
The Optimus line is great news for the Android platform too; LG does reasonably well in America and is super popular in Asia. The Optimus line should help Android up its game internationally. I love that the Android market is getting crowded and competitive. The result will be more interesting phones to choose from. Go Lucky Goldstar!
I have only had LG phones and have had great experiences (for the most part) with them. The idea of LG having the Android OS on one of their phones sounds intriguing.
Maybe it's just me…but I'm growing very weary of hearing about how everyone is using or plans on using the latest and greatest Android build. Froyo will be crippled by carriers. That wifi tethering will come at a steep premium if at all. Any enhancements that Google might make in Gingerbread will be the same way. It just doesn't make sense to me to harp on what Android can do when a telecom won't allow you to use it. Verizon will nickel and dime every line of code or ROM and ATT just plain cripples the open device.
Another thing, since I mentioned wifi tethering…I find it horrible that the telcos are using 2gig caps now. I know a few people who rely on 3G connections as their internet in their home. When they have gone over their 5gig cap, they paid their overages. No complaints, since all considering the 5gig cap wasn't too big of a deal. Now with this 2 gig crap, they have taken away many people's broadband option. I guess they'd be happy if we only checked text emails and paid 150 per month for that privilege.
@Smartguy
The 2gb limit only applies to Cell Phone data. You still get the 5Gb on a laptop connect card or via tethering plan.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/ce…
I love LG phones. I don't however want one that is "easy to use". I want full control over my phone, I assume that is why I liked my WinMo phones that didn't have fancy UIs. It takes me forever to remember how to get into the real setting stuff on my mother's HTC TouchPro 2. I can't stand HTCs UI.
@smartguy The biggest enhancement FroYo offers is a large performance gain from an improved JIT compiler. That's not something that can be crippled.
@Ray
I'd like to see it running on a device with custom UI before I'd agree with that. My friend is running Froyo on his Moto Droid right now. It wasn't pushed by the carrier, he just pulled it down and installed it. It was noticeably faster but not faster than my Iphone 4. Close though.
I'd be interested to see if devices that don't run stock android benefit nearly as much.
@smartguy The iPhone 4 has a significantly faster CPU than the Droid.
@Ray
His is OC to 800mhz. As fast as my Iphone 4. Both have 512 of RAM as well.
@smartguy Even still, the architectures are different enough and the GPUs are completely different. It's not the best comparison.
@Ray
Granted the architecture of A4 and OMAP are different but one doesn't necessarily share an advantage over the other in a significant way except A4 can handle 1080p. I'm not sure if the OMAP in the current Moto can. I know the Moto droid has a dedicated GPU instead of it being on the same piece of silicon. In fact the new OMAP processor in Droid X should be superior to A4. We'll see though.
It wasn't supposed to be a perfect comparison. The comparison was 8 month old + hardware competes with a brand new piece of hardware based on a significant software upgrade.
@smartguy The iPhone 4’s A4 uses a newer version of the PowerVR GPU that the Droid uses. The Droid X should be the fastest smartphone on the market, in terms of CPU/GPU, when it’s released in a few weeks.