LG launches Optimus 'One,' 'Chic' globally

MANILA, Philippines - Two new phones in the LG Optimus line of smartphones — Optimus One and Optimus Chic — were launched early this week in Seoul via an interactive virtual global news conference.

Targeted at consumers looking to purchase their first smartphone, the twin Optimus phones promise faster, smoother Internet browsing, web-page loading, application pop-ups, and multi-tasking. 

As such, they are both running on the latest Android 2.2 (Froyo) platform and optimized for Google Mobile Services such as Google Voice Search, Voice Action, Goggles, Shopper, and Maps with navigation and have access to the growing applications in the Android market, which LG envisions to complement by way of the exclusive LG App Advisor, which recommends 10 highly rated applications every two weeks. 

“LG has a vision of helping people access information fast and easily, no matter where they are. We believe the Optimus series will play a significant role in accomplishing our vision,” said Skott Ahn, CEO and president of LG Mobile Communications Co. 

Ahn said LG will launch Optimus One globally with 120 business partners in over 90 countries. This, he said, will be made possible by LG’s extensive sales network. He also disclosed that LG envisions the Optimus to be its top-selling product targeting to sell at 10 million units worldwide.

LG, however, has a bigger vision for the Optimus series: to offer a full line-up of smartphones, lead the popularization of smartphones, and redefine the industry landscape.

The Optimus One (P500) has a 3.2-inch wide HVGA screen, a 600MHz processor and 170MB internal memory (expandable up to 32GB via microSD). It can connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS and has a three-megapixel camera and FM radio tuner.

The Optimus Chic (E720), on the other hand, has almost the same specs except for the five-megapixel autofocus camera and VGA video recording at 30 frames per second. It also has a slightly lower internal memory at 150MB but it is also expandable up to 32GB via microSD).

The Chic comes with a feature which allows users to remotely control the device from their PCs and the LG Air Sync, which allows users to wirelessly sync contacts and photos with the computer and the cloud database. 

Expandable home screens

Both phones have seven expandable home screens to allow for placement of more applications from the Android Market’s current collection of more than 70,000 apps.

“LG Optimus One is an all-around smartphone that provides users with new levels of accessibility. LG Optimus Chic is the best fit for people looking to stay in transit,” said Johan Chung, vice president of LG Electronics’ Smartphone Business Mobile Communications Co.

One of the key benefits of a Froyo-powered phone is speed; it is two to three times faster compared to the previous Eclair version, according to Chung.

On the design side, LG said it worked on the premise that if it could provide the perfect Google mobile experience to smartphone users, then people could enjoy their smartphones better. Foremost of this experience is instant accessibility to the information people need.

Google Voice Search, for example, allows users to speak to the phone instead of typing a word in the search box. Voice action, on the other hand, allows users to speak instead of typing when sending a text message or e-mail.

Another useful tool is Google Maps with navigation, which has the capability to show directions to a user when in transit.

“The mobile phone is more than just hardware, it is the most prolific consumer choice device on the planet,” said Ben Wood, director of Research at CCS Insight. “Many users were picking smartphones for the first time. The challenge for manufacturers is to make sure that they back up the full features and services with aggressively priced and highly attractive usable devices.”