ks20
Latest
Hands-on with the LG KS20
Putting Windows Mobile 6's user interface at ease with fat fingers is a monumental challenge -- but it's not a challenge manufacturers are shying away from. Perhaps they see devices like the iPhone as a threat they can't ignore any longer, or perhaps they're simply tired of waiting for Microsoft to roll something truly revolutionary, but at any rate, companies like HTC with its TouchFLO interface are doing pretty much everything they can to keep the stylus firmly locked away. That's where the LG KS20 comes into play, which steals as much of the Viewty's identity as it can while still keeping Windows Mobile 6 under the hood.LG's effort results in limited success. The home screen is about as attractive as any we've seen on a WinMo 6 Professional handset, but it's not particularly useful beyond the plain-vanilla functionality beyond what you'd see on any device in this class. No big, pretty clock, no weather widget -- just a nice color scheme and a four-pack of touchable buttons above the two regular soft keys. Hitting the right three buttons will take you to the normal dialer, messaging, and browser apps, respectively, while the leftmost button takes you to another Viewty-esque display for launching apps. It's nice, but we noticed that it's not difficult to confuse the phone into reverting back to the normal, stock launcher, which looks starkly out of place in this glossy beaut.As usual, the lack of North American HSDPA is a dismal downside, too. Bottom line? It's a great looking device -- but don't expect LG to have worked any miracles with the platform.Thanks to the good folks at Wireless Imports for the hookup!%Gallery-19019%
LG shows a KS20 clone with WiMAX
Looks like a KS20, does it not? Ah, but looks can be deceiving! Gearlog says this bad boy has been gutted to use WiMAX in addition to GSM, a combo that won't likely be welcome on Sprint's XOHM network. Here's where it gets interesting, though: an LG rep went on record saying that it would be a pretty trivial matter to swap out the GSM silicon for CDMA, which would make Sprint far warmer to a hookup. The same cat went on to say that they'll be doing seamless handoff between WiMAX and GSM / CDMA networks, which is going to be a pretty critical feature as XOHM builds out -- a buildout that could take many, many years. LG, Sprint, let's make this happen, k?[Thanks, Israel B.]
LG's KS20 now available in Europe
Announced in August, LG's HSDPA-totin' touchscreen KS20 was just released for retail in Europe -- France and Germany to be specific with more countries coming on the quick. Nothing new to report, same business minded, 12.8-mm thick Windows Mobile 6 handset with 3.6Mbps data, WiFi, Bluetooth, 2 megapixel camera (VGA up front), up to 4-hours talk, and built-in stylus for navigating with precision on that busy, 240 x 320 pixel, 2.8-inch WinMo interface. No prices given but we're sure your carrier will happily oblige.
LG's KS20 and KU990 vs. the iPhone
The silent, yet eerily palpable rivalry betwixt LG and Apple continues, secretly, growing subtlety with every new phone release (as you can see in the Windows Mobile-based KS20). Or maybe these two companies just love this design -- certainly Nokia is fond of it. It's hard to say really, but what isn't hard to say is that these phones do look alike, and there's no way around it. Please forgive the German showgirl for the upside down iPhone handling -- they haven't had the fortune of holding them here. After the break, be sure and note the UI of LG's KU990 -- the company's other widescreen touch phone -- and its familiar look. One thing's for sure: they all smudge the same.
LG's KS20 ready for the suits with WinMo 6 and HSDPA
Oi, say 'ello to 12.8-mm thin LG KS20, the 3.2Mbps HSDPA cuz to their KU990 touchscreen hottie. Although the KS20 shares much of the looks of the KU990, they've actually trimmed back the display to 2.8-inches (compared to 3-inches on the KU990) while acing that 5.1 megapixel shooter for a skimpy, business-minded 2 megapixeler all riding atop a Windows Mobile 6.0 OS. Expected Q4 in Europe running on some of that Vodafone carrier action, at least. We'll be sure to get up close and personal with it at IFA later in the week if that's ok with you. Thought so.%Gallery-6491%
LG's KS20: Chocolate / Prada / whatever with WM6
As expected, this slick little Windows Mobile 6 Professional device could very well stand to be the first to benefit from LG's newfound relationship with Microsoft. Whether it'll get slapped with Prada branding remains to be seen, but the KS20's resemblance to its proprietary stablemate can't be overlooked; the Windows Mobile variant gets a thumb stick near the bottom in place of the KE850's buttons, but that's the only major change we see up front. The guts are just as pretty as the outside, too, with WiFi, Bluetooth, the obligatory microSD slot, HSDPA and (possibly) HSUPA, FM radio, TV out, and a 2 megapixel shooter. Needless to say, we're pulling for a radio that can suck down some American 3G, but we're not getting our hopes up. As soon as we catch wind of a release date, price, or any other solid 411, we'll pass it right along.[Via Slashphone]
