Say hello to Prada

MANILA, Philippines - What does one really look for in a cell phone these days? LG Electronics and Prada  have a relationship that has spanned at least five years. When I first saw an LG Prada cell phone some time ago, I was not too sure that such a gadget would catch on because it did not have the awe factor that the cell phones of choice at the time did.

With design inspired by the Prada fashion brand, the new device is credited for being a combination of technological efficiency and chic design.

The Prada 3.0 cell phone by LG is the third cell phone from the Prada and LG collaboration. The latest cell phone continues in the same tradition combining Prada’s trademark chic simplicity with LG’s leading technology, including one of the brightest 800-nit Nova display and a Prada-themed user interface (UI).

Following Prada’s design philosophy, the Prada 3.0 features a full, glossy touchscreen on the front and Prada’s signature Saffiano pattern on the back. It is thin at 8.5 mm, with minimal hard keys and a classic black finish to complete the phone’s sleek look.

Here’s a little background about the collaboration between LG and Prada.

The collaboration began in 2006, resulting in two premium phones being introduced in 2007 and 2008.

The Prada phone by LG 1.0, a pioneer in the fashion-house cell phone circles, was quite a success. Word has it that over a million units were sold. That first unit combined high-end technology with a design embodying superior style.

Matter of fact, the first LG Prada 1.0 cell phone is part of the permanent collection in New York City’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Shanghai.        

But it was not just style that the LG Prada cell phone presented to its users. It was the first touch- screen cell phone in the world. 

When the next LG Prada cell phone was introduced it used its Link technology, which allowed for easy access to caller ID, SMS text messages, call history, call block and two-way alarm notification. 

Enter LG Prada 3.0

Here are seven reasons why the LG Prada 3.0 cell phones are creating a stir among gadget junkies like me.

1. It is a classy cell phone. It was love at first sight when I turned on the Prada. When the phone is turned on a black and white screen is what greets the user: An elegant and classic change from the multi-colored screens of the new funky cell phones.

2. It is solid and sturdy. When I held the LG Prada, I was pleasantly surprised at just how solid the cell phone was in spite of the fact that it’s made of plastic.

3. Attention to detail. The metal buttons and USB port cover as well as the slightly recessed display are great. This gives the impression that the Prada has no buttons, quite unlike today’s cell phones, which have all sort of buttons on the side.

Along the top edge there is a power button, micro-USB port and camera button. The power button lights up, while the MHL-compatible USB socket has a sliding cover.

4. One touch, then go. I had fun playing around with the awake function of the LG Prada. The screen comes to life with a touch of the power button with LG’s lineup lighting up below.

5. Really thin. At 8.5mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest 4.3-inch smartphones available and its curved edges and flat-top and bottom give it an even sleeker appearance. 

6. Did I say it’s minimalist? It’s minimalist indeed with the eight-megapixel camera hidden in a corner so as not to intrude too much into the Prada-patented textured back.

7. Beauty within. With a 1.0 GHz Dual-Core/Dual Channel architecture, the LG Prada 3.0 cell phone runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS with an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich scheduled by the second quarter of 2012.

I like the LG Prada 3.0 because the calls are clear, texting is easy, connecting through Wi-Fi is fast and best of all, customizing according to my likes is easy.

Of course, the collaboration between LG and Android for this third Prada cell phone has been only for the best. The result is a phone that is much more than just a great looker. 

Indeed, form and function meld into one piece of art in the LG Prada 3.0.