BARCELONA, Spain—Handset
maker LG moved the smartphone and tablet wars into another dimension with the
release of the Optimus 3D handset and Optimus tablet, which sports a 3D camera.
The smartphone offers dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory architecture
(which LG termed a tri-dual configuration) as well as the 3D platform, allowing
for recording, viewing and sharing of 3D content, which LG says is the world's
first.
The company said the Optimus 3D will be rolled out globally starting with Europe
early in the second quarter. The phone will initially be released with Android
2.2 (Froyo) and will be upgradable to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).
The handset offers a dual-lens 5-megapixel camera, which the Optimus 3D's
4.3-inch WVGA display uses to display 3D content without the use of special
glasses. Users can navigate through the device's 3D interface with the click of
LG's 3D Hot Key, which presents five 3D-dedicated user interfaces, including
Gallery, Camera, Game&Apps, YouTube 3D and 3D Guide. Captured 3D content is
shared via an HDMI 1.4 connection to 3D TVs and monitors and also is compatible
with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) Certified products. In addition, users
can upload and stream 3D content and share each other's creations on YouTube's
dedicated 3D channel.
"Backed by a combination of superb performance and full 3D, we're
excited about the prospects of the LG Optimus 3D taking the smartphone
experience to a much higher level," said Jong-seok
Park, president and CEO
of LG Mobile Communications. "We've incorporated every feature for the power
user, and we think they'll be pleased with what they see."
The Optimus Pad features an 8.9-inch display with 1,280-by-768 WXGA
resolution and is powered by Google's Android 3.0 platform and the Nvidia Tegra
2 mobile processor. The tablet's 3D camera boasts full HD 1080p decoding. A
built-in video conferencing feature was designed to appeal to business users
who might otherwise lean toward a BlackBerry PlayBook or other
enterprise-oriented tablet. A company release said the tablet will begin
shipping in March.
"With a flood of tablets hitting the market, we felt strongly that the
LG Optimus Pad needed to set a new standard for what a tablet should be,"
said Park. "We think the LG Optimus Pad achieves the right blend of
portability and viewability with no performance compromises."
Phil Carmack, senior vice president of Nvidia's mobile business, said the
Optimus Pad represents the fruits of a close partnership between the two
companies. "The world of computing is shifting under our feet," he
said. "Tablets are quickly taking their place as our most personal
computer, providing previously unimagined capabilities and full mobility. The
new LG Optimus Pad uses Nvidia's Tegra 2 to give consumers outstanding levels
of power, speed and performance."
Tablets have become a focus point for attendees at this year's conference,
with exhibitors like Motorola, Samsung and Research In Motion, maker of the
popular BlackBerry line of smartphones, all making announcements concerning
their tablet devices. Earlier this year, IT research firm IDC
forecast 44.6 million tablets will ship in 2011—with U.S. sales accounting for
nearly 40 percent of the total—and grow to 70.8 million units in 2012.
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