LG Reveals Optimus Smart Devices Family

Android 2.2, otherwise known as "Froyo," is Google's next big leap in the mobile OS realm. It has just started rolling out to Nexus One owners, bringing native Tethering support as well as a refreshed home screen, improved performance and a Web browser that can handle Flash. Needless to say, it's an update that every Android user wants, and LG is hoping that by shipping their future Optimus line with Froyo built right in, some users of early Android phones will bite the bullet and upgrade to a new handset altogether.

Announced today in the UK, the Optimus line is similar in a way to the DROID line; it's LG's new smartphone range/label, but around 10 devices will join to make it up by the end of 2010. The Optimus line will consist of a variety of "smart devices," with Android being just one of the mobile operating systems supported. We suspect that Windows Phone 7 will also make an appearance at some point in the future, but there's no official word on that just yet.


Today, the first two phones in the Optimus line are being introduced: the stylish Optimus Chic and the business-oriented Optimus One. Both of these are powered by Google, and it looks as if the interfaces are fairly stock. Of course, Google is trying to minimize the amount of Android customization from the factory, so this makes sense. LG isn't handing out hard specifications for either phone just yet, but it's obvious from the images that both are touchscren-based devices. We're hoping to find out more about these two, along with the entire Optimus range, soon. And we can't help but wonder if one of those ten "smart devices" will be a tablet PC. Chances are high, we'd imagine.

OPTIMUS SERIES: LG'S MOST ADVANCED SMART DEVICES

Line-up of Smartphones and Tablet Devices Integrate the Latest in Mobile Technology

BERKSHIRE,UK, JULY 5, 2010 -- LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its upcoming LG Optimus Series, a line-up of innovative smart devices featuring the latest in mobile technology that will spearhead the company's newest campaign to highlight LG's ability to simplify consumers' information-dominated lives.

LG Optimus, meaning 'best' in Latin, will be comprised of devices running on a range of operating systems as well as Android Tablet PCs. By offering a variety of choice in operating systems and incorporating smart technologies, LG prioritises consumer choice as a key strategy for expanding its footprint in the mobile industry. The smartphones and tablet devices range from entry to premium level, with various features to meet the diverse needs of all customers. As part of its aggressive strategy to grow its share of the global smartphone market, LG will be introducing approximately 10 new smart devices worldwide in the second half of this year under the LG Optimus label.

"The LG Optimus Series is aimed at challenging the notion that one device can meet the needs of many," said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "At LG, we believe in providing people with many different choices because our customers are not all alike. We want to provide devices that suit all needs and simplify people's lives."

The LG Optimus Series is the result of extensive consumer research and development that delved into the way people gather information in today's digital age. According to a consumer survey conducted by LG, ease of finding information is the top motivator in considering a smartphone purchase. The research also looked into what consumers liked and disliked about some of today's most popular communications devices. Not surprisingly, user friendliness and fast response time were high on consumers' lists.

The two android-powered smartphones in the pipeline -- LG Optimus One with Google™ and LG Optimus Chic -- incorporate the speedy Android Platform 2.2 (Froyo).

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.

Beyond smartphones, LG will be introducing its first tablet device later this year. Running on the Android Platform, LG's tablet will deliver vastly superior performance than other similar devices currently on the market while still managing to be thinner and lighter than competing devices.