LG Optimus Z Officially Launches in Korea
LG’s announcing the launch of their latest Android handset – the LG Optimus Z. The device will be available through Korea’s biggest carriers – SK Telecom and KT – though we can’t seem to pull up any pricing information at the time. The LG Optimus is an Android handset that you wouldn’t want to overlook if you were looking for something in the high-end range.
It comes with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, Android 2.1 (FroYo will be headed to the device before the year is up), a 3.5-inch Hyper HD LCD screen (800 x 480) and a 5-megapixel camera. It’s also coming with support for T-DMB so Koreans can watch their beloved television painlessly on the go alongside DivX support out of the box.
One cool thing about the Optimus Z is that it allows you to operate your phone using your PC. Simply connect via Bluetooth or with a USB cable and your phone’s image shows up on your screen ready for interaction. This is something I would appreciate on a handset for handling mundane tasks (like installing a bunch of apps after having to do a factory restore).
It doesn’t end there with over-the-air data transferring, though. LG’s introducing Drag & Shake which allows you to share files between phones (think Bump) and they’re also introducing Air Sync which keeps your phone synced up to your computer without the need to connect any cables. Unfortunately it doesn’t look like the Android market will be included here, but the devices comes pre-installed with more than 100 applications that are popular amongst the Korea natives (and whatever you can get through SKT’s and KT’s own application stores).
If we can gather up any more details regarding pricing, we’ll be sure to bring those right to you.
SEOUL, July 29, 2010 – LG Electronics (LG) today announced the Korean launch of its latest smartphone, LG Optimus Z (LG-SU950/KU9500). Offered through local tele-coms providers SK Telecom and KT, Part of LG’s Optimus Series, Optimus Z boasts a singular, stylish design and latest version of Google’s Android OS.
With the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon at its core, Optimus Z is being launched with Android OS 2.1 with the option to upgrade to Version 2.2 before the end of the year. Advanced multimedia options include 3.5 inch WVGA “Hyper” HD LCD (800 x 480 pixels), Korea-specific T-DMB mobile TV, 5 MP camera, Dolby Mobile and DivX compatibility. Optimus Z comes with two 1,350mAh batteries, good for hours and hours of talking or entertainment. And at only 11.05 mm thin, Optimus Z and its unique “Z- style” design is more angular than previous LG smartphones and its matte-finish metal gives the Optimus Z a solid, durable feel.
In a first for Korean smartphones, the LG Optimus Z offers On Screen Phone function that lets user display their phone interface on the screen of their PC. Using Bluetooth or a data cable, the interface will appear onscreen, letting users manage the phone’s vari- ous functions – including applications and e-mail – on the computer. In addition, any documents, images or music files stored on the PC can be easily transferred to Optimus Z using this interface. Furthermore, Drag & Shake allows LG Optimus Z users to share files between smartphones with a simple shake of the handset, while LG Air Sync lets them constantly sync the phone with their PCs or other mobile digital devices.
The LG Optimus Z comes pre-equipped with more than 100 of the most popular appli- cations in Korea, along with 70 more that are not available in the Android Market. Additional applications may be downloaded through SK Telecom’s and KT’s respective application stores.
Optimus Z is the third device in LG’s Optimus Series family to be introduced globally. More Optimus devices are in the pipeline, including the launch of LG’s Android tablet in the fourth quarter of 2010.