LG Again Rumored to be Sole Supplier of Flexible Displays for iWatch
LG will be the sole supplier for flexible displays to be used in the iWatch as Apple looks to launch the device later this year in two sizes, according to a report from Korea’s Naver [Google Translate, via GforGames].
iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton, based on the Nike FuelBand
The report notes that Apple is targeting to sell 9 million iWatch units by the end of the year with LG’s collaboration, as the device itself will be released in September. The report also claimed that the iWatch will come in two different sizes of 1.3 inches and 1.5 inches, which falls in line with previous reports about the smartwatch.
In February, a report from Korean publication Digital Daily shared similar details, noting also that LG would be the sole supplier of the panels for the iWatch, and that the Korean company would start mass production of the flexible displays starting in July 2014. Apple was rumored to have selected LG’s panels because they were thin, light and provided adequate brightness with minimal power consumption; characteristics that the company is said to have been pursuing for the device’s display.
In addition to being released in two separate sizes and featuring a flexible display, the iWatch is also rumored to come with a multitude of biometric sensors and include integration with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In a research note last week, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi also estimated that Apple will release the iWatch at multiple price points and in a variety of materials, with the highest-end selling for thousands of dollars.
Apple is expected to reveal the iWatch later this year alongside iOS 8 and the iPhone 6.
LG’s top-end G3 phone will rock a Quad HD display
So far, we’ve only come across beyond-1080p panels in a couple of Chinese phones, like the Oppo Find 7 and the Vivo Xplay 3S. But the spec is definitely about to go mainstream, as LG has just confirmed to us that the successor to the G2 will deliver a “Quad HD” resolution, with four times as many pixels as 720p (that’s 2,560 x 1,440, if you want to count ‘em). Based on earlier leaks, it’s likely that the G3 will have a 5.5-inch display, which means we’ll be looking at a pixel density of around 530 ppi — not far off double what you’d get from a printed glossy magazine.
What’s the point? Well, with the Chinese phones it was all about the rendering of the complex alphabet, which really benefited from the extra detail, but on global phones we’re not so sure. Onscreen photos also tend to get a boost, to the point where they look almost analog — a bit like the way 35mm prints used to look on a lightbox — but ultimately we’ll just have to wait and see how well LG implements the technology. Based on last year’s schedule for the G2, we might see an official launch in the summer, with availability by the fall.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Via: Android Community, Ubergizmo
Source: Sprint (UAProf)
[OP-ED] Why I think it’s likely the next Nexus phone won’t be made by LG
Image courtesy of garminvs.com
For the last two years, we’ve all be witness to two of the best value smartphones the Android world has ever seen, the Google Nexus 4 and Google Nexus 5. Both were amicably manufactured by LG, though it’s not quite clear how the financials were divided up between Google and LG behind closed doors. What we do know is that it worked out very well for the phones themselves which have been extremely popular among the Android community, and have even turned some away from other platforms based on its sheer value for money. You might think this has worked out well for both Google and LG, however, I think that the next Nexus phone won’t be made by LG. Why is that? I’m glad you asked.
The Nexus 4 beside the LG Optimus G – Image courtesy of GSM Nation
It all starts with a bit of history: it’s a relatively well-known fact that both the Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 are loosely based on two of LG’s own smartphones. The Nexus 4 was based on the LG Optimus G, and the Nexus 5 shares ancestry with the LG G2. In terms of exterior design and software builds, they might not seem all that similar, but on the inside is where all the similarities are. This hardware forms the basis for which either Google or LG builds upon to create the Nexus devices which is why the trend we’ve seen for the last 2 years is LG launching their flagship smartphone, followed by a LG-manufactured Nexus phone release shortly after.
From a sales perspective, the Google-branded Nexus phones have done spectacularly. While they were never made to compete on a mass-scale with Samsung, the Nexus phones probably surprised people with just how popular they were. On the LG side of the bridge, however, things haven’t been so rosy. While Google has always been tight-lipped about exactly how many Nexus phones it has sold, LG has been very open about its sales of the LG G2 in particular.
The LG G2 next to the Nexus 5 – Image courtesy of androidmenow.com
LG had planned to sell 10 million of the LG G2′s, however at the end of 2013, they had reportedly only sold 2 million, far below their expectations. Part of the reason for this can probably be attributed to the Nexus 5; at the end of 2013, there were only a few players in the smartphone flagship space: the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the Sony Xperia Z1, the Nexus 5, and of course the LG G2. The Nexus 5 is by far the cheapest of all of these devices, and the LG G2 is by far the least equipped of the remaining 3 devices, so it’s not exactly a surprise to hear that the G2 hasn’t quite done as expected.
By now, you can probably see the irony that has befallen LG. Even if they did take quite a large percentage of the Nexus 5 sales, they’ve effectively devalued the sales they might otherwise have achieved by selling just LG G2′s. That’s not entirely to say that had LG not worked with Google the G2 would have done better, but it does stand to reason that it definitely would have had a better chance in the otherwise high-cost flagship smartphone arena.
There have been rumours that there will be no more Nexus devices, or maybe just one more Nexus, and that there is basically no need for Nexus devices now that manufacturers are buying into Google Play edition devices. Whatever the truth is, I think by now LG should have realized that they have played second fiddle to Google for too long, and if there are any more Nexus devices in the future, I’m willing to bet that they won’t be manufactured by LG.
//<![CDATA[
ord = window.ord || Math.floor(Math.random()*1E16);
document.write('’);
//]]>
LG G3 specs revealed in leak on Sprints website
Companies prepping their websites prior to a device being released is not a new thing. We saw HTC do it with the HTC One M8, and it seems Sprint has built the LG G3 in a UA profile which is inadvertanly revealed all the specs of the upcoming device.
According to the UA profile on the Sprint website, the LG G3 (LG-LS990) features a 5.5-inch display running at a resolution of 1440 x 2560, with Android 4.4.2 KitKat.
LG G3 Full Specs
- Processor: 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (MSM8974)
- Operating system: Google Android 4.4.2 KitKat
- Cellular connectivity: LTE / EVDO / IS2000
- Other connectivity: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Display: 5.5-inch QHD (1440×2560)
- RAM: 3GB of RAM
- Internal storage: 32gb
- External storage: MicroSD cards up to 64GB
- Rear-facing camera: 13MP (Highest Image Resolution:4160×3120)
- Front-facing camera: 2.1M (Camcorder Resolution:1920×1080)
There is no indication as of yet as to a release date, but with specs like those it would have to be pretty soon in order to compete with the smartphones that are likely to be released in 2014.
[Source My LG Cell Phones]
The post LG G3 specs revealed in leak on Sprints website appeared first on AndroidGuys.
New Screenshot Shows Apparent LG G3 UI
With the Galaxy S5 and the New HTC One coming out, it is time to look forward to LG’s next offspring. The LG G3 has been rumored to be announced as early as May, and today, we get ourselves a screenshot that shows us what the homescreen could look like.
As you can see by the screenshot, it seems that LG is going for more flatter UI. Flatter seems to be the trending style as of late, and many of us will actually appreciate it. LG keeps denying they are working on their new flagship, but we all know that isn’t the case. Shouldn’t be long now until we hear word on the LG G3, and once we do, we will let you know.
Source: Phandroid
//<![CDATA[
ord = window.ord || Math.floor(Math.random()*1E16);
document.write('’);
//]]>
LG’s G Pad 8.3 gets Android 4.4.2 KitKat update early
LG have begun rolling out Android 4.4.2 KitKat to their LG G Pad 8.3 tablet via an over-the-air (OTA) update in Europe. LG were expected to release the update, so we knew it was coming, but LG jumped the gun and are issuing the update early.
The 4.4.2 KitKat update for the LG G Pad 8.3 weighs in at around 300MB so is quite a significant package for the tablet, which brings some added functionality:
- Android 4.4.2 OS upgrade.
- LG Knock Code.
- Improved system performance.
The Knock Code bundled with the update builds on the popular Knock On feature by LG, whereby you could tap on the screen to wake the device. Knock Code takes this one step further by enabling the user to unlock the device using any one of 86,367 different combinations.
You should see your device prompting you that an update is available on the LG G Pad 8.3, but if not it can be manually triggered in the Settings app.
The post LG’s G Pad 8.3 gets Android 4.4.2 KitKat update early appeared first on AndroidGuys.
EasyAcc leather flip case for Nexus 5 review
Flip cases serve a decent purpose in the smartphone world, offering more functionality than protection. They certainly aren’t for users that have a habit of dropping their devices often. But if you’re looking for a durable, well-built flip case for your Nexus 5, look no further.
We’ve used this case for two weeks, and we have a pretty good grip as to whether to buy this case or not.
Build Quality
The case is made from a synthetic premium PU leather which feels good in the hand. It doesn’t necessarily feel cheap, especially in the world of fake leather. The interior of the case is made from a microfiber material that looks surprisingly similar to leather. Inside and out, the case is soft to the touch, and makes it feel like you’ve spent a good amount of money on it.
It locks the phone in by securing the four corners of the device. The phone seems pretty sturdy when inside the case, though the corners holding the device in feel a bit cheap. The front cover has a magnet that wakes and puts the device to sleep. This is definitely a feature we want to see in all flip cases.
The front cover locks in by a tab that wraps around the device. The tab has the same feeling as the corners securing the device – cheap feeling, but works really well. It also doubles as a kickstand and offers two different viewing angles. If you watch movies or YouTube videos, this case is great for you.
Look & Feel
This case feels really great when in use. It’s not slippery or easy to drop, making it an easy case for everyday use. If we could change one thing about the case, it would be the look and feel of the corners holding the phone in place. They look a bit cheap, and the leather doesn’t blend well with the look of the phone.
Other than our one major gripe, for a leather folio case, it looks really good.
Durability
With any flip case out there, you’re really not going to get the best protection out of it. We have dropped the phone a few times while using the case, and we didn’t see any signs of damage. Since the screen is so fragile, it’s nice to know that the front cover is thick enough that it will absorb a large amount of shock.
Other than dropping it, the top, bottom, and right side of the phone are bare, so it may not completely save the device from everything you throw at it. As far as folio cases go, this one offers enough durability to help you sleep at night.
Should I buy?
This folio case has just the right amount of functionality and good looks for us to recommend it to you. We love that there are two different viewing angles when using it as a kickstand. But we wish they could have figured out another way to secure the device without sacrificing looks.
If you’d like to pick one up, you can do so on Amazon for $9.99.
EasyAcc isn’t usually a brand that comes to mind when you think of phone cases, but perhaps it should. They’ve put together a decent phone case with an inexpensive price tag.
The post EasyAcc leather flip case for Nexus 5 review appeared first on AndroidGuys.
LG G2 for Sprint gets a taste of Android 4.4 KitKat
LG G2 owners on Sprint no longer have to look on with envy as their friends on AT&T and T-Mobile get upgrades to Android 4.4 KitKat. The CDMA carrier has just started rolling out the OS update on its network today. There aren’t any special treats beyond Google’s more advanced software, but the release does fix a bug with Sprint’s included Next Radio app. Unfortunately, there’s no word on a corresponding KitKat upgrade for Verizon’s G2 customers — if you’re on Big Red, you’ll have to keep waiting.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint, LG
Via: Android Police
Source: Sprint (1), (2)
Study finds LG the fastest growing Android brand in United States
A recent report from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech finds that LG is the fastest growing Android handset brand in the United States. The data, which was collected in a three month period ending in February 2014, shows LG has topped 8 percent market share in the United States, putting it in third place. What’s the reason for the recent growth? Probably something to do with the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, and the G2. After a string of low-tier and mid-range devices in the first few years, LG has quietly become a serious contender in the Android space.
Meanwhile, across the pond, Motorola is doing extremely well with the Moto G. Having grown from nearly zero market share to six percent, British buyers are snatching up the affordable Moto G.
The Moto G in Great Britain has attracted a very specific consumer profile. Almost half of owners are aged between 16 and 24, 83% are male and generally they come from lower income groups with 40% earning under £20,000.
The post Study finds LG the fastest growing Android brand in United States appeared first on AndroidGuys.
European Amazon listing prices LG’s G2 mini at 350 euros ahead of launch
So far we know most of the things we need to know about LG’s G2 mini. Like, we know there will be two processor variants (Tegra 4i for Latin America and Middle East, Snapdragon 400 elsewhere), there’s also a 4.7-inch (qHD) display, 1GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel camera. That’s all fine and dandy, but what about the price? Well, if a few eager European retailers (one being Amazon) are anything to go by, expect to shell out 350 of your shiniest euros ($480, but will vary by continent) once it finally flips from “aún no ha salido a la venta” to “En stock” sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Via: GSM Arena
Source: Amazon (Spain)
AIVAnet 