LG Optimus G Hands-On, a Quad-Core Phone with Neat Multi-Tasking Tricks

Published on September 20th, 2012 | by Chance Kinney in Smartphones

LG has unveiled a new smartphone, and before we get into it, a disclaimer should be issued. It’s entirely possible you just saw “LG” and “new smartphone” and immediately lost interest. I wouldn’t necessarily blame you – it’s been a while since LG released anything especially exciting. But, stick around, because this time, LG is coming out with something worthy of your attention.

The LG Optimus G will be LG’s flagship Android phone, and it looks up to the task of competing with the current market leaders thanks to impressive specs and a few cool functionality features that you won’t find on very many, if any, other smartphones.

The Optimus G will run Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich when it becomes available in October, and it will be speedy. In addition to 4G LTE compatibility, the Optimus G will be the first smartphone powered by Qualcomm’s 1.5 GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Qualcomm’s first mainstream mobile quad-core processor. A 2,100 mAh battery should provide 15 hours of talk time, though it’s hard to tell how much that quad-core processor will tax the battery during heavy usage.

LG’s new phone will also have 2 GB of RAM, and it’ll be used. The Optimus G’s QSlide function is real, honest multitasking. That doesn’t mean multiple apps running in the background – you’ll actually be able to do two things at once using a split-screen interface. No specific word on which apps you can and can’t use with this feature (or if you’ll be able to use any apps) yet, but this could be limited to basic utilities – web browsing and texting simultaneously, for example. You’ll also be able to watch a video on one side, and text, email, or browse on the other. Either way, it’s awesome, and a very welcome addition.

The Optimus G will have a 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS+ touchscreen display in 1,280 x 768 resolution. That display will have a 15:9 aspect ratio. That will be great when viewing the pictures you’ll be taking with the 13 MP rear-facing camera. For video chat purposes, there’s also a 1.3 MP front-facing camera. The camera will feature Cheese Shutter, which allows you to use voice commands to take photos, which should help to avoid those awkward group shots with someone’s arm on the side of the photo. Time Catch Shot will take several photos in rapid succession, and allow you to choose the best.

There are a few more cool tricks you’ll be able to pull off with the Optimus G. You can zoom in on a video up to 5x while streaming. Quick Memo comes from the same idea as using the S Pen on the Galaxy Note, only without a stylus – you’ll be able to scribble messages over any screen, then send the result as an attachment or URL. You can use Dual Screen Dual Play in one of two ways – you can either display what is on your smartphone on another monitor like a television, or display one thing on the television and a different thing on the Optimus G. For example, you can use the phone to display a presentation on another screen, while looking at notes displayed on your phone.

You’ll also be seeing NFC and Bluetooth 4.0 when the LG Optimus G hits stores.

The LG Optimus G will go on sale in its native South Korea next week, followed closely by a limited October global release. No word on which carriers it’ll be coming to in the United States, or how much it will cost when it gets here.

Press Release

+ LG Optimus G Multi-Tasking Features Break-Down

New Form of Cross-Tasking and Engaging UX With reliable and speedy performance, LG’s Optimus G doesn’t solely enable multi-tasking but “cross-tasking” of activities without limitations. If multi-tasking applies to running various applications at the same time, cross-tasking applies to complex tasks that can be completed simultaneously without having to compromise other tasks. Some new UX features that will be included into the Optimus G to showcase its cross-tasking and engaging capabilities are: • QSlide Function shows two different screens simultaneously on one display. As it doesn’t just show a part of the screen but the entire screen of both functions, the user can complete two tasks concurrently -– such as sending a text message or searching the web while watching a video; • Live Zooming enhances the video-watching experience as users can zoom in up to five times while the video is being streamed for a close-up of one’s child while watching a recorded video from a school recital; • Dual Screen Dual Play not only allows mirroring between the smartphone and a TV, it also has the ability to display different content on each screen wirelessly. For example, a slide presentation can be displayed on the TV while the Optimus G shows the accompanying speaking notes; • QuickMemo allows users to write, draw, or jot a memo with their finger directly on the captured screen for sharing instantly with others as an attachment or a URL. The QuickMemo can also be used as an overlay feature – like jotting down a number using the QuickMemo and directly dialing the number while the number is on the top layer; • Screen Zooming allows for the zooming in and out of lists in music player, email, text messages and photo gallery. It also offers the ability to change the font size and screen layout; • Application Link launches preset applications (email, calendar, weather, etc.) when the alarm is turned off -– making preparation time in the morning go a little faster with all the information on your screen; • Icon Personalizer allows users the ability to customize icons by editing size and adding images so the most frequently used apps can be most easily accessible.

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Tags: android, LG