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LG Marquee comes to Boost Mobile on January 23rd for $279
Having raided the smartphone coffers of its parent just a few days ago, today Sprint subsidiary, Boost Mobile, is at it again. Today's plunder comes in the form of the LG Marquee -- the Now Network's version of the Optimus Black -- which we first espied in carrier grab back in September. Setting you back $279, it'll be offered in Boost Mobile stores January 23rd, followed by everywhere else come February. PR on the 4-inch Gingerbread-totin' smartphone is after the break.
LG announces ICS upgrades to begin in Q2 2012
Following the footsteps of Samsung and Sony, LG has come forth with details on which devices will be getting Android 4.0 -- also known as Ice Cream Sandwich -- and when we can begin expecting those upgrades to roll out. The phone manufacturer made its official announcement via its Facebook page, stating that several of its 2011 models will be on the receiving end of ICS starting in the second and third quarters of next year, with a full-scale rollout occurring sometime afterward. In the second quarter we should expect to see updates for the LG Optimus LTE, Prada 3.0, Optimus 2X, Optimus Sol, myTouch Q and the Eclipse. Fast forwarding to the third quarter, the Optimus 3D, Optimus Black, Optimus Big, Optimus Q2 and the Optimus EX will all be lucky recipients. As can be expected, LG was careful not to lump carrier-branded devices into the mix here, as a large portion of the timing depends on the carrier's testing procedures. Head on past the break to see the full statement by LG.
More Optimus handsets will receive Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, LG confirms
LG's list of Android 4.0 phones is about to get a little longer, now that the manufacturer has confirmed the arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich for even more handsets. LG revealed the news today in a Facebook post, specifying that the Optimus Black, Optimus 3D and Optimus LTE will all receive updates to Google's latest OS, along with the previously announced Optimus 2X. The company also said that it's "continuing to evaluate the ICS OS to determine whether it is compatible with the functionality, features and performance of other LG smartphones," adding that it hopes to bring the update to as many devices as possible. LG hasn't provided any concrete timeline for the rollout, though it expects to publish more details next month. As always, we'll be sure to keep you posted.
LG Marquee steps out in leaked press shot, coming this October? (updated: it's official)
It looks like the LG Marquee's gearing up for its coming out party. We first caught wind of the Optimus Black clone when it surfaced in blurrycam form at a Radio Shack briefing, running what appeared to be vanilla Android, and branded for the Now Network. Well, thanks to a leaked press shot over on PocketNow, we can clearly see that the device is, indeed, sporting a lightly-skinned version of the pure Gingerbread experience, with Sprint ID replacing the browser in the phone's launcher. Cosmetically, you'll also notice the new grey-colored chassis has a striped band sweeping down the battery cover, although the camera placement remains similar to its European cousin. Aside from that, the only other notable difference is in the design and arrangement of the capacitive buttons. The specs seem to fall line with its elder LG stablemate, as the handset packs a single-core 1GHz processor, 2 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear cameras and 4-inch NOVA display. The only question that remains is whether you're willing to forgo impending beastliness for elegance this October when it's rumored to launch. Update: Sprint's made it official. The LG Marquee'll be available for pre-order online on September 20th, and will go on sale October 2nd for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year contract.
LG Marquee caught on candid camera, is this Sprint's Optimus Black?
Is this a case of smartphone identity crisis, or just a repurposed chassis? Whatever the case may be, LG's got a Marquee handset ready to shore up Sprint's future line-up. The leaked shot comes courtesy of a now private video spotted by Android Central, and was taken at a Dallas-based Radio Shack Business Summit. It's evident from the one Mr. Blurrycam screen cap on display that the phone's currently running a vanilla build of Gingerbread, and sports a minimalistic design that's reminiscent of the Optimus Black. We can't be certain the two are indeed twins, however that leaked roadmap did indicate a stateside October bow for the Optimus Black -- this could simply be a rebrand for the Now Network.
Telus gets cozy with Skype, announces Optimus Black 'Skype edition' for summer release
Telus is looking to attract Skype's Canadian constituency by positioning itself as the nation's first carrier to easily enable the VoIP habit -- an addiction we're quite fond of, in fact. In a partnership with Microsoft's latest acquisition, Telus will allow its customers to purchase Skype credits directly from their wireless accounts -- meaning credit cards won't be necessary to call mates in distant locales. For newbies, the provider is announcing a "Skype edition" of the LG Optimus Black, featuring a shortcut to download the app (rather than pre-installing it), and a $2 credit for up to 60 minutes of international calls. If you're thinking a single toonie is a bit meager, we're suspecting Mr. Ballmer was glad to save coin anywhere he could -- after dropping $8.5 billion, that is. The specially-branded phone is set for a summer release and there's no hint at pricing, but if you get your jollies from reading press releases, just follow the break for the reveal. [Thanks, Justin]
LG Optimus Black vs. iPhone 4, others in stop-motion video
I've never been a big fan of the company's phones, but LG sure makes some great videos. Its latest is the Smartphone Championship Race, a stop-motion NASCAR-inspired film that pits the LG Optimus Black against the iPhone, Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc and Samsung's Galaxy S. The competitors' phones are called other names so that LG doesn't get sued (the iPhone 4 is called "Waffle's Ivan"). As the phones race around the track, the competitors are eliminated one-by-one because of the phones' flaws. One is eliminated when it crashes because it can't clear a 9.3 mm entrance. The iPhone 4 is the last one to be eliminated; it doesn't finish the race because its weight keeps it from making it to the other side when it jumps from a ramp. The video is pretty clever, and hey, if you can't make the best phone in the world, at least you can make some cool stop-motion action. [via MacNN]
NTT DoCoMo announces 24 new mobile wonders (yes, really) to flood its network
So, Japan... want a new mobile device? How about 24? This grandiose announcement comes straight from NTT DoCoMo, which commonly lays its cards on the table for the delight of consumers. Among the selection you'll find eight new Gingerbread phones, six incredibly high-res shooters (ranging between 12.2 and 16.3 megapixels), eight waterproof handsets, and one embedded with Swarovski crystals. We're particularly thrilled to see the mighty Galaxy S II, 3D-capturing Aquos SH-12C, 700-nit Optimus Bright (contrastingly-named but nearly identical to the Optimus Black), ultra-slim MEDIAS WP N-06C, and mobile payment-enabled Xperia Acro. Oh, and don't forget about the LOOX F-07C -- a multi-talented handset that's running Symbian and Windows 7 Home Premium -- while two LTE-enabled WiFi routers are sneaking into DoCoMo's party, too. That's a lot to absorb, so check out the source for individual release timeframes, which begin now and continue through August -- or just check out the PR after the break.
LG Optimus Black arrives at T-Mobile UK for free (gasp!)
Sure, its 700 nit Nova Display is bright, but it doesn't quite approach Apple's excellence, and its 1GHz processor comes across a touch sluggish, but attach "Free" to LG's Optimus Black and instantly there's a whole lotta value crammed in these 9.2 millimeters. That's the story over at T-Mobile UK, anyway, which is giving the Android 2.2 handset away with any two-year plan over £25. Just think, once you convince a friend to also throw down nothing for this handset, you'll be exchanging laughs, tunes and memories over WiFi Direct -- once you find an app that supports it, anyway. As for mainland Europe, your Optimus Black will be arriving shortly, but don't get too huffy if your particular carrier isn't quite so philanthropic.
LG Optimus Black review
If you asked us to design our ideal Android phone, it might well end up looking like LG's Optimus Black. The handset that was once known under the codename "B" features a clean, elegant and exceedingly thin exterior, which is garnished with a 4-inch IPS display capable of generating 700 nits of brightness. There's the usual litany of added features, too, like a 5 megapixel shooter with the ability to record 720p video, a special G-Key for motion controls, and Wi-Fi Direct for peer-to-peer file transfers. Of course, looks and headline features are just the tip of the iceberg that is user experience, so if you want to know about the mountainous whole, join us after the break for a deep dive with LG's latest Android phone. %Gallery-123183%
LG Optimus Black debuts in Europe 'this month,' rest of the world settles for dual-core crumbs
LG told us to expect the ultra-slim Optimus Black handset globally in the first half of the year, and at least one continent will receive the device as planned -- the company just announced that the 9.2mm thin smartphone with the 700 nit NOVA display will hit Europe this month, with launches planned for North America and Asia at unspecified times after that. Yes, there'll be plenty of jealousy to go around, especially sometime in June -- that's when LG will allegedly unveil white and pink versions of the phone. Assuming, of course, that you're willing to settle for a single-core 1GHz processor when confronted with the latest spec sheets. PR after the break.
LG Optimus Black vs. Galaxy S II and Xperia Arc... fight!
It's time for us to welcome yet another contender in the battle for world's slimmest Android phone: the LG Optimus Black. This 9.2mm-thick handset made its debut to oohs and aahs of admiration at CES earlier in the year, and is now on the very precipice of a global release. Admittedly, it's not quite slender enough to knock the 7.7mm-thick NEC MEDIAS N-04C off its perch as the absolute thinnest, but it is sufficiently slender to give Samsung's Galaxy S II and Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc a good fright. That pair of smartphones offer thinner proportions on the spec sheet, but when rested on a flat surface they sit ever so slightly higher than the Optimus Black. This is because, unlike its tricky contemporaries, the Optimus Black keeps to the same thickness along its full length (don't laugh), which, technically speaking, makes it the thinnest Android handset on the European market. Check it out in the gallery below or video after the break -- and hold tight, we'll have a full review for you in the coming days! %Gallery-122723%
LG releases Optimus Black in Korea, it's a dark phone with a really bright screen
Okay, perhaps someone at LG didn't get the memo, but unless you're Samsung, this really wasn't the best time to launch a phone in South Korea. Even though it was easily overshadowed, today also marked the launch of LG's Optimus Black, and while its 1GHz processor won't top any benchmark charts, designers had something altogether different in mind for this one. Most notably, the handset features a bright, 4-inch NOVA display that promises energy-efficiency and all-day longevity. Further, the device supports WiFi Direct communication, which enables phones to trade files directly and without an intermediary. The Optimus Black still includes Android 2.2, just as LG said it would, though we're told Gingerbread is in the oven. Hit the source link for an extended peek -- it's in Korean, but there's so much audio-visual stimuli that you're unlikely to notice.
LG Optimus 2X and Optimus Black priced at €499 by Amazon Germany, not yet available to buy
Amazon's German outlet has started listing LG's two latest and undoubtedly greatest phones: the Optimus 2X (seemingly renamed the Optimus Speed here) and the Optimus Black. Both run Android 2.2 on 4-inch screens, with the former offering a dual-core Tegra 2 processor capable of 1080p video recording and HDMI output, and the latter cranking up the display brightness to a quite unreasonable 700 nits. The Optimus Black also has one of the thinnest profiles on a smartphone of its class at 9.2mm, and will be one of the first phones to offer WiFi Direct connectivity. Intriguingly, Amazon's Optimus Speed / 2X listing also shows a brown color option for the handset, though only its black SKU is subject to a neat €50 discount bringing its price to €499, the same as the cost of the Optimus Black. We don't know when either one will drop, but you can go and reserve yourself one (or a dozen) at the links below. [Thanks, Julian]
4G at CES 2011: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile make big moves
Traditionally, CES isn't a huge mobile event -- the biggest phone news has historically been saved for MWC in February and CTIA in March -- but that changed in a huge way this week. Looks like 2011 is shaping up to be the year of 4G, and both carriers and manufacturers alike wasted no time jumping on the hype bandwagon with a variety of announcements that promise to make the next few months exciting... and really, really fast. AT&T kicked things off early in the show, but it was just the beginning of a relentless torrent of mobile news that lasted for days and ultimately left us with a pile of devices and network upgrades that should take us at least through the middle of the year. Read on for the recap!
LG's CES 2011 booth tour
If there is one booth at CES this year that is going all out, it's arguably LG's. The massive, supermarket-sized chunk of show floor real estate showcases everything from the manufacturer's latest phones -- like the Revolution, Optimus Black and Optimus 2X -- to SmartTV devices, network Blu-ray players and HDTVs. You'll also find smart appliances linked with WiFi and smartphone apps using LG Thinq, and even a scanner mouse -- not to mention a mesmerizing display wall. Sample the insanity in the gallery below, and in the video after the break. %Gallery-113532%
LG Optimus Black shows off its WiFi Direct skills on video (hands-on)
WiFi Direct, for those not paying attention in class, is a communications protocol for allowing devices with wireless radios to talk to one another and share files without the need for an intermediary WiFi access point between them. Basically, it's like blasting out an ad hoc wireless network, one that permits simultaneous file transfers to up to eight other WiFi Direct-capable machines. LG kindly gave us a peek at its implementation in the Optimus Black, and while things are still pretty rough and (not) ready, we got a decent idea of how they'll operate. Jump past the break to see for yourself. %Gallery-113287%
LG Optimus Black hands-on
We were on-hand for a hands-on as LG threw itself a bash celebrating a couple swish Android sets: the Optimus 2X and the Optimus Black. We've seen plenty of the 2X already, but the Black is an entirely different creature. First off, the taper on the back that sees the set go from 9mm in the middle to 6mm on each side is both nice to look at and helps keep the set cradled in your hand. The 4-inch WVGA NOVA display is both bright -- 700 nits, if you worry about that type of thing -- and extremely legible in the glaring spotlights installed at the stand. LG was touting the addition of its Wi-Fi Direct feature -- what at first sight seems like gimmickry -- that allows direct file transfer between sets without the need for an access point, and hey, it worked -- and might even be useful. We look forward to the Optimus Black crashing into our lives sometime in the first half of this year. %Gallery-112876%
LG announces super slim Optimus Black with NOVA display
It may have already tipped its hand, but LG has now just gotten fully official with its latest flagship Android phone, the Optimus Black (previously known as the LG "B"), which packs a 4-inch NOVA display that promises to be both bright (700 nits) and energy efficient. What's more, despite being just 9.2 mm slim (and tapering down to 6 mm), the phone also packs 1,500mAh battery that promises a full day of use, and you'll get a 2 megapixel front-facing camera in addition to another one of unspecified resolution presumably 'round back. According to LG, the phone will ship with Android 2.2 (plus LG's Optimus UI 2.0), but get a Gingerbread update at some point in the future. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and look for the phone itself to roll out globally in the first half of the year.
LG Optimus Black and LTE-equipped Revolution coming to CES
LG is busily preparing its CES presentation area right now, where the well known Optimus 2X is being joined by a pair of intriguing new devices, the Revolution you see above, an LTE-connected handset that seems destined to ride Verizon's minty fresh 4G network, and an Optimus Black (pictured after the break). The latter handset promises the "power of light" housed within an "innovatively slim smartphone with the best display clarity." Both the allusions to slimness -- we've found specs listing it as a 9.2mm-thick device with a 4-inch screen -- and display prowess match up to the LG "B" device we've seen leak out previously, which LG itself promised will be launching at CES. Other details include Wi-Fi Direct certification and the world's first two megapixel front-facing camera. It's gonna be a fun week, to be sure. %Gallery-112541%
