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Pedro Matias sets new texting record at LG Mobile World Cup (video)

Showcasing the "fastest, most accurate" text messengers (according to the corporation that dreamed up this little publicity stunt), the LG Mobile World Cup Championship went down yesterday at Gotham Hall in New York City. We're proud to say that the American team fared well -- grabbing second place and winning $20,000 in the process -- although in the end the cup went to South Korea. Additionally, history was made when Portugal's Pedro Matias set the new World's Record for texting by typing a 264-character text in just 1 minute 59 seconds (besting the previous record by 23 seconds). Of course, each Mobile World Cup must have its share of controversy -- in this case, Engadget Mobile's very own Chris Ziegler led a silent protest during the awards ceremony. The group was reportedly upset over the use of QWERTY phones (the LG enV3 in this case) to break the record. "The only true test of texting skill is a numeric keypad, without T9," he said. "Hell, it's the Morgan Pozgar affair all over again. Is nothing sacred?" PR and video after the break. [By the way, we totally made the last part up.]

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THE FASTEST, MOST ACCURATE TEXTER IN THE WORLD IS CROWNED AT THE LG MOBILE WORLD CUP IN NEW YORK CITY

Team Korea, Receives $100,000 and World Champion title following global texting competition

SAN DIEGO, CALIF., January 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ - LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) hosted the first ever LG Mobile World Cup, which concluded yesterday with Young-Ho Bae, age 18, and Mok-Min Ha, age 17, from Korea as the winning team. The duo took home the title of LG Mobile World Cup Champions, and split the $100,000 in prize money, after beating out 24 participants from 12 other countries after an intense five game series.

Contestants competed for the title on some of the latest and most innovative LG mobile handsets including LG enV3, LG BL20 and LG GW520.

"It is amazing that our team won the world title! Every moment in every round of the texting game was just awesome!" said Young-Ho Bae. "We are very thankful to LG for the chance to participate in the world texting championship. It's an additional delight that we got to meet new friends from different countries in one of the most exciting cities in the world."

Morgan Dynda and Kate Moore from the United States placed second splitting $20,000, and Juan Ignacio Aufranc and Agustina Montegna from Argentina placed third splitting $10,000. In addition to the main competition, the players attempted to set a new Guinness World Records® record for fastest texting, using the LG enV3 handset. A new record was set by Pedro Matias, age 27, from Portugal who typed a 264-character text in just 1 minute 59 seconds, thus shaving 23 seconds off the previous record, set by Finland's Arttu Harkki on April 27, 2005.

The LG Mobile World Cup took place on January 14th in New York City at the historic Gotham Hall. During the competition, players competed in various texting missions, including break the wall, monster popping, moving pillar, running relay and racing replay. In each mission, contestants were tasked with the challenge of typing in phrases on their LG mobile devices exactly as they appeared on nearby LG plasma screens with no typos or abbreviations while trying to be quicker than their opponents.

Finalists selection for the LG Mobile World Cup began in May 2009 with a series of national texting contests across 13 countries including Canada, Indonesia, Portugal, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Mexico, Argentina, Korea, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. After several months, 26 contestants were chosen to compete in teams of two in the hopes of becoming the word's fastest texter.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of USD44.7 billion, LG is comprised of five business units –- Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is the world's leading producer of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula One™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company

LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communication and information company. LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world with its cutting-edge technology and innovative handset design capabilities. Increasingly, LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products. LG will continue to take leadership in the mobile communication environment with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.