optimus

LG has scheduled a press event for December 1 in New York where it is expected the handset maker will announce its first smartphone to feature an HD display.

Rumored to carry the name of LG Nitro HD, the phone should boast a 4.5-inch 1,280x720-pixel resolution screen, much like the one on Verizon's recently announced HTC Rezound.

The first sign of the LG P930 came way back in late spring when the model number was spied in an XML file. At the time it was uncovered, 720p displays were not part of general smartphone discussions, so it … Read more

There aren't any official Ice Cream Sandwich phones available yet, but the ICS source code was released earlier this week, and already Android 4.0 is showing up on more phones.

Today we first saw the frozen dairy treat running gleefully on a Samsung Galaxy S2 and an LG Optimus 3D.

Here it is running on the S2, thanks to a French coder who goes by "Guillaume" on Twitter:… Read more

TracFone's Straight Talk service has added its second Android smartphone today, putting the LG Optimus Q on sale for $179.99.

The no-commitment price gives consumers an Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset with a 3.2-inch display and sliding QWERTY keyboard. Specifications are definitely on the low-end, however they are a slight step up from those of the Samsung Galaxy Precedent announced in August.

Additional details for the Optimus Q include a 3-megapixel camera, a 4GB MicroSD card, and support for Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and 3G connectivity. Like the Galaxy Precedent, the LG smartphone can be paired only with Straight Talk's $45 monthly plan, which includes unlimited talk, text, data, e-mail, and Web.

I'm a big fan of no-commitment Android offerings, even if the hardware typically skews towards entry-level devices. Hopefully we'll get more midrange and high-end products in 2012 as players like Boost Mobile and MetroPCS continue to grow their Android rosters. … Read more

SAN DIEGO--LG Optimus handsets here in the U.S. broke ground by proving that entry-level Android handsets need not be deprived of features. LG continues that mantra with the LG Optimus Slider, which as its name implies, adds a sliding QWERTY keyboard to the Optimus form factor.

As a result, the LG Optimus Slider is substantially thicker and bulkier than its nonsliding cousin. But to those who love to text, the cost should be worth it, as you get a very roomy four-row QWERTY keyboard in exchange. The keys are also nicely raised above the surface for easy texting, and we like that there are navigation controls on the keyboard too. … Read more

Nexus Prime sightings, Google Wallet Hacked, in a good way, and HTC security flaws. All that and more on this week's episode of Android Atlas Weekly for October 5th, 2011.

NEWS

iPhone 4S vs. the competition http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20115636-233/iphone-4s-vs-the-competition/?tag=cnetRiver

Samsung Releases Teaser Shot of Nexus Prime http://www.pcworld.com/article/241162/samsung_releases_teaser_shot_of_nexus_prime.html

Might this be the Nexus Prime? http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20115325-251/might-this-be-the-nexus-prime/?tag=cnetRiver

Samsung to show off Nexus … Read more

The LG Optimus LTE, announced today, is another new Android 2.3 phone we in the U.S. can only dream about from afar, at least for now.

The Gingerbread handset has a 4.5-inch touch screen with a 1,280x720-pixel HD LCD display. LG claims it's the "highest-resolution IPS (in-plane switching) display" available on a smartphone.

The Optimus LTE also has a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, and an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p HD video capture and playback. In addition, there's an HDMI port and support for DLNA, so you'll be able to play phone content on your compatible TV. An 1,830mAh battery will hopefully grant it long life.

The Optimus LTE picks up LG's pace in producing LTE-ready phones. So far we've been pretty happy with what we've seen, including the T-Mobile G2X and the Revolution. The phone maker has also recently reached out to prepaid carrier MetroPCS with the LG Esteem.

The Optimus LTE is currently slated for Korea. LG says its plans to release the phone beyond Korean borders are still "undetermined."… Read more

Today, Virgin Mobile announced the upcoming availability of its latest Android smartphones, the LG Optimus Slider and HTC Wildfire S.

Equipped with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, the carriers says the Optimus Slider is ideal for those who love to e-mail, message, and social network on the go. In fact, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset will come preloaded with Virgin Mobile's Live 2.0 social networking app that lets you access the carrier's custom music stream and allows to you check into special events.

The Android 2.3 Gingerbread handset also has a 3.2-inch touch screen, a … Read more

LG has introduced the latest member of its Optimus family today with the Optimus Q2.

Expected to debut in the coming week, the Android 2.3 Gingerbread phone features midrange to high-end specifications that should bolster LG's smartphone reputation. Details include a sliding QWERTY keyboard, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a 5-megapixel camera on the rear, and a front-facing VGA camera.

Digging deeper, the 4-inch display features IPS technology (700 nits) and should provide an incredibly bright picture. At only (12.4mm), the Optimus Q2 is one of the thinnest and lightest sliding QWERTY handsets ever released.

The LG … Read more

LG added another member to its ever-growing Optimus family today, when it unveiled the budget-friendly Optimus Sol. Named for its high-clarity display, the Sol features a 3.8-inch Ultra AMOLED touch screen and also boasts a 1GHz processor, Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and a 5-megapixel camera in a thin, 0.39-inch (9.8mm) body.

While it's certainly not a high-end device by any stretch of the imagination, it could serve LG well by catering to a broad demographic. Generally, first-time smartphone buyers are attracted to lower prices and LG has done a good job thus far with its Optimus One line.

Another feature that likely will help the Optimus Sol stand out from competition is its power management software, which promises to extend battery life by 20 to 30 percent. What's more, users can choose a "Dark UI" setting on the display that uses less white light, conserving even more power.

The Optimus Sol will be available in mid-September when it begins hitting select carriers throughout Europe. Shortly after, the handset will find its way to Central America and South America.

Color options will be black, white, and "titan" and will vary depending on its regional availability. Pricing has yet to be determined, but likely will be announced in the next few weeks as carriers are revealed. … Read more