Live from LG's IFA keynote
By Paul Miller 
posted August 30th 2007 5:11AM
posted August 30th 2007 5:11AM
11:09AM - LG has struck upon a new factor for product design: WAF, Woman Acceptance Factor. It's not just about the guys anymore.
11:11AM - Mentions the Chocolate, and LG's latest TVs that "look beautiful even when switched off.
11:14AM - We can talk about the "quality war" or the "price war." And design quality helps you avoid the price war. Kind of preaching to the choir here, giving examples of cars and pasta.
11:17AM - Finally brings it around to LG. Record sales in Q2 2007. LG won design team of 2006. Changed from a "chaser to a challenger." Mentions the Prada as a "first" of its type.
11:23AM - Still talking about red dot, we'll let you know when things pick up again.
11:25AM - And here's LG's Matt Ryan, ostensibly to talk about products!
11:26AM - Talking about the integral role of design at LG, and how they're working to extend this concept throughout the company. The man's no Steve Jobs, kind of looks bored.
11:32AM - Now showing a "movie" (more like a PowerPoint animation) of the "genesis of design art." Talking about the elements of design art, "the play of light, the line, the curve." We really could gag. Designart LCD TV "Circle." Speakers based on a wine glass. Receiver and subwoofer also feature circle elements, and "tension.
11:37AM - Now Neil Robinson is on stage to talk products. We couldn't be happier.
11:37AM - Starting with the 1080p 100Hz plasma TV. Announcing the PF95 in 50-inch and 60-inch versions. Also introducing the Pause & Play TV, the MPEG-4 HD iDTV. Two tuners, built-in DVR, LT75 LCD version, and PT85 plasma version.
Introducing the "world's highest contrast ratio LCD monitor." 5000:1 contrast ratio. 20-inch L206WU and 22-inch L227WT.
"World's brightest Ultra Mobile projector." HS101. 100 ANSI, 2000:1 contrast. 800 x 600, HDMI.
"World's fastest external optical drive." With 6x Blu-ray burning, 3x HD DVD reading.
11:44AM - He's talking about award winners for 2007, including the BH100, and now he's done. Time for Q&A.
When will we see a combo player with interactive HD DVD features?
"HDi-supporting 2nd gen product will be released by the end of this year."
They're talking about geeky European TV standards. Final question.
How often does LG expect to phase in new design styles?
"It depends on what product we're talking about. For phones it might be 2-4 times a year, for other products 1-2 times a year. We monitor trends, and we have a system in place that senses when a new design is needed and kicks off the design process."
And that's it. Thanks for tuning in.
At first glance of the Headline, I though it James Kim from cNET and that he was still alive.
http://news.com.com/2009-12-6141617.html
Prada first of its type !!!
the prada phone WAS the first of its type... it was announced several weeks BEFORE the iphone.
So where does that leave Motorola with their touchscreen menu driven cell phones?
I'm holding you responsible for making me call you a Stevy F.A.N.B.O.Y. but I'm willing to let it pass just because I think you're just kidding, but you are pushing it to hard man!
Prada : I give one up to LG for being fast if thats wat they mean, but not for the innovation !!!
'The man's no Steve Jobs, kind of looks bored'
LOL.. it will also be boring when all are Steve Jobs :P
What happened to the annoucement of the LG KU990???
Paul Miller wrote:
"They're talking about geeky European TV standards."
Great comment to loose a lot of European readers of Engadget.
Anonymous European, I have to agree with you....
Take a look at this comparison (which seems relatively unbiased)
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Contrib/WorldTV/compare.html
[quote]Paul Miller wrote:
"They're talking about geeky European TV standards."[/quote]
[Sarcasm]
Didn't he mean "They're talking about those Superior European TV standards" ;o)
[/Sarcasm]
Also take a look at this map:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PAL-NTSC-SECAM.svg
I see a distinct lack of NTSC *anywhere* outside of the USA....
Flamer's... Start your engines ;o)
Those new LCD TVs do indeed look good. Less thrilled about the phones. But what's really the problem with LG is quality. I have had a few LG products of questionable quality.
DVD player - doesn't deal with bad DVDs very well, fragile
Vacuum - broken
Washing machine - still OK
Cheapo Mobile phone - crap, battery lasts just over 5 minutes.
Come to think of it - I don't know why I have so many LG products. They must be doing something right ;)
I remember a few years back (arround 1999), i had a lot of trouble with 3 or 4 LG products! I haven't bought an LG product since... but I know a lot of friend who did and I have to say, LG came a long way! I could actually buy something from LG now, the HD-DVD/Bluray player for exemple ;)