Review: LG 55LM9600

Today’s TV’s aren’t just about being able to deliver HD and 3D content anymore. The field of battle has shifted dramatically to internet connectivity, with all three major players (Samsung, Sony and LG) offering internet connected models. The LG 55LM9600 is one such model, and is currently LG’s flagship internet connected TV.
Physically, the 55-inch LM9600 is impressive to look at. The panel is a full-array, local dimming LED backlight, which means that the entire LED panel (not just the edges) are illuminated by LED backlights. This means that the LM9600 has excellent black levels, as well as better overall color reproduction compared to edge-lit models. The LM9600 is 19mm thin at its thinnest point, which tapers out to an additional 5mm as you go down the unit.

As thin as the LM9600 is, you still get a full swath of connectivity options for it. There’s 4 available HDMI ports on the left side of the TV, as well as three labeled USB ports.

The last port on the bottom was made especially for hard disk drives, with the first one on top created for potential TV app upgrades when they come. All three USB ports can take media from USB thumb drives. Aside from HDMI and USB, all the other input options are present, which include composite and component ports, as well as a plug for cable or terrestrial TV.

The manual controls are located on the back as well, on the right side of the TV.

Aside from the regular remote control, the LM9600 also comes with a funky looking secondary remote control they call the magic remote. The magic remote works basically like a glorified Wii controller, and allows you to navigate through the My Apps menu easier and facilitates typing on screens that require information from you. The magic remote is also capable of taking voice commands, as well as interpreting motion gestures.
Setting up the LM9600 is pretty straight forward – connect the stand, find a suitable place to put it in, plug in and go. Like I said earlier, most of the functionality for the LM9600 can only be accessed using an internet connection, which you’ll have to set-up yourself. There are two connectivity options for the LM9600 – you can connect it via the Ethernet port on the back of the device, or via the built-in WiFi module on it.

The heart of the device is the LG Smart Menu, which gives users several things to do that add to the overall value of the device. For instance, you can log into your social network accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Picasa, and view content from several portals like LG’s 3D world, as well as exclusive access to K-Pop channels and YouTube. You can also theoretically connect to other premium content portals as well, though that particular feature hits a bit of a wall that I’ll go into depth later.

Like most of LG’s other 3D models, the LM9600 relies on passive 3D (polarized technology) rather than the active 3D shutter tech that’s present in the 3D TVs of their competitors. The main advantages of passive 3D glasses is that they’re relatively cheap (cheap enough that LG sends 6 pairs per TV), lightweight and don’t require batteries or constant charging. The fact that they also don’t make you look like a huge dork while wearing them is also another win in my book. The only disadvantage I can think of is that passive 3D reduces the resolution of the picture on the screen by about a half, an issue which some people have disputed. Personally, I couldn’t really see a resolution drop when the 3D mode was active. There’s also a 3D depth option present on the LM9600, which allows you to set how aggressive the 3D effect is.

The device LM9600 performed well during its time with us, and LG generously provided a Blu-ray player and home entertainment system to go with the TV when they sent it to us. We had a choice of several movies, both 3D and non-3D which was supplemented by our own stash of full HD flicks that we use for testing. Overall the LM9600 had excellent color reproduction and deep blacks, something that I was expecting given that the device had local dimming capabilities.

One of the main draws of the LM9600 is that you could access additional content, both 3D and non-3D, from the internet. While this is true, your choice is limited to LG’s 3D World (which basically serves up bite-sized 3D content for you to enjoy), K-Pop Zone and YouTube. Other premium channels like Hulu and Netflix isn’t supported, mostly because of region locks.

While the LM9600 allows you to access the net and connect to your social network, the apps themselves need a bit of work. I connected my Facebook account to the device during the test, and found out that the Facebook functionality of the device was pretty bare. I couldn’t see who my friends tagged in their posts (making it look like some of them were greeting themselves a happy birthday) which made the whole experience feel incomplete.
Overall the LG 55LM9600 is a good TV. It’s hobbled in some respects by its apps and lack of access from premium online services, but for the most part it’s online component adds quite a bit of value to the package. The 55LM9600 retails for Php 299,990.

What’s Hot:
Extremely thin bezel
Thin design
Can connect to the internet
Has both wired and wireless connectivity options
Excellent performance

What’s Not:
Some streaming apps are blocked
Social network app feels incomplete and tacked on
Pricey
Bottomline:
LG’s 55LM9600 is a fine Smart TV, as long as you’re willing to overlook some of the more annoying aspects of hooking your TV up to the internet.

Buymeter: 4.0

Tech Specs:
Technology: NANO FULL LED
Screen size: 55-inches
Contrast Ratio: Dynamic MCI 1000
Features: Internet connectivity, Four-way magic remote control
Connections 4 x HDMI, 3 USB, RF, component, composite

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LG gives away modified smartphones for the blind

In an industry that’s dominated by snazzy displays and lightning fast processors, it’s nice to see an electronics company actually creating products for people less fortunate. LG has created a specialized smartphone for the blind that’s aimed at making their lives easier. The smartphone comes with a comprehensive Braille manual to teach blind folks how to use it and is controlled primarily by voice commands. LG says that they’ve giving away 2000 of these phones, which is a spectacularly nice thing to do for humanity as a whole.

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LG releases new IPS4 series of IPS monitors

LG is strengthening their monitor range by releasing their IPS4 series of IPS monitors that the company says deliver superb color reproduction, exceptional picture quality and unmatched color shift-free wide viewing. These new monitors use In-Plane Switching panels rather than the more common Twisted Nematic panels that’s used in regular monitors. Because of the IPS panels used in the new monitors, users get wide viewing-angles (178 degrees) without any color shift whether you’re sitting, standing or lying down. LG says regions in Asia will get first dibs once the product hits the stores in May, followed by Europe and North America.

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Review: LG Optimus 2x (LG P990)

What does it feel like to have dual-core processing in the palm of your hands? It is an amazing experience unparalleled by any other smartphone thus far.

Once it’s in the palm of your hands, the LG Optimus 2X’s design is classically suave and looks very similar to other products in its class. This reviewer had hoped a smartphone with a place in the Guinness Book of World Records would have an equally creative design, but perhaps we shouldn’t judge a phone by its casing. Although it’s cosmetically neat and technologically chic overall, the metal strip embedded into the unit’s rear (etched with the word “Google”) might not find favor with some consumers.

With the pleasantries of physical aesthetics aside, the Optimus 2X’s overall size and weight is just right, despite being slightly larger when compared to other smartphones in its class. It has a brilliant 4-inch IPS (In-Plane Switching) display with a resolution of 800×480. Colors are vivid with rich blacks and accurate whites, making it an absolute pleasure to use. Moreover, the display is well illuminated, so there should be no problem using the Optimus 2X under direct sunlight.

At the bottom of the display, users will see the familiar backlit touch controls (menu, home, back and search) that is usually installed on Android smartphones. The only physical controls are the volume buttons, which are seamlessly integrated on the unit’s side. Rounding up the features on its body are the micro HDMI and 3.5mm jack which can be found on top; and the micro-USB and speakers on the bottom. So overall, the Optimus 2x layout is quite simple and neat.

What is noteworthy about the LG Optimus 2X is that it comes with Nvidia’s dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 AP20H CPU. If you’re wondering what that mouthful of tech speak can offer, it basically improves a smartphone’s performance primarily in terms of multitasking, gaming and multimedia, especially videos with resolutions of 1080p.

The Optimus 2X performed well with graphics, as expected. Visuals in HD were fluid and free of stutters, for both videos and games. Being an Android smartphone, it seemed logical to test Angry Birds, which was elevated to an entirely new level of gameplay with the Optimus 2X’s quick load times and great response.

Speaking of HD resolution, the Optimus 2X cameras (8MP rear and 1.5mp front) record 1080p videos at 24fps. Image quality is satisfactory although not special, but effortless playback of HD videos was where this smartphone prevailed, whether it was native or streaming HD from the web. The ability to manually focus via touch is also a great feature.

Web browsing on the Optimus 2X was highly addicting as well, especially with its support for Adobe Flash. At times, the unit did struggle auto-rotating the screen from portrait to landscape mode, but it didn’t happen enough to warrant blood-curdling frustration. Furthermore, the touchscreen would sometimes require a little bit more pressure than what some users are accustomed to, especially when unlocking the phone from Idle mode.

The Optimus 2X battery life is similar to other touchscreen smartphones in its class, often needing to be recharged by the end of day with normal to heavy use, and especially with WiFi constantly on. This reviewer did experience a quirk with the Optimus 2X, which might be restricted to the test unit itself. When it was plugged in for charging with an app in current use, other apps would suddenly open and close uncontrollably. When all apps were shut down prior to charging, this fray did not occur, so again, this issue might be limited to the actual test unit itself.

Regardless of this tiny mishap, the LG Optimus 2X is a remarkable smartphone. It offers an amazing Nvidia dual-core processor, which creates a multimedia experience that could bring a new breath of life to Android devices. For those who want to own the world’s first dual-core smartphone, a device that has been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records, the LG Optimus 2X is for you.

Specifications
Form Factor: Slate/Full Touchscreen
Dimensions: 123.9 x 63.2 x 10.9 mm
Weight: 139 g
Display Size: 4.0 inches
Display Type: IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 480 x 800 pixels
CPU: Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, ULP GeForce GPU, Tegra 2 chipset
Memory/Storage: 8GB internal, 512MB RAM, microSD 32GB max
OS: Android v2.2 (Froyo), upgradable to v2.3
Data: GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, 10.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth2.1 with A2DP, microUSB v2.0
Camera: 8 MP, 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash; 1.3 MP
Video: 1080p@24fps, 720p@30fps
Features: Geo-tagging, face and smile detection, touch focus, image stabilization
Adobe Flash 10.1 support
Battery (max.): Stand-by 40 h, talk time 7 h 50 min

What’s Hot:
• Dual core processor
• Excellent IPS display
• Perfect for multimedia

What’s Not:
• Touchscreen sometimes unresponsive
• Auto-rotate sometimes struggles

Bottomline:
Overall, the LG Optimus 2X is an excellent device for users who prefer an Android smartphone. Its dual-core processor is something to marvel at, which elevates the multimedia experience to even greater heights.

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Review: LG Optimus L3 E400

When Samsung’s Galaxy Y was announced earlier last year, most tech elitists dismissed the potential of the small, relatively inexpensive entry-level Android device. Little did they know that the Galaxy Y would be one of the hottest gadgets during the run-up to the holiday season, with prices soaring over the suggested SRP because of the high demand. That particular success has been noticed by other manufacturers, with LG being one of them. The result is the Optimus L3, a budget Android device that could give the current king of the budget ‘droid a run for its money.

The Optimus L3 represents the unified style strategy of LG, and adopts the design sensibilities of the members of the higher end Optimus family such as the L5 and the L7. The L3 has eschews round corners for a more angular design and has a textured back finish, allowing for a better grip on the device.

Since the Optimus L3 slides neatly into the budget Android category, it’s safe to say that you’ll definitely won’t be blown away by its hardware. The Optimus L3 has a 3.2-inch, 240 x 320 resolution 256K capacitive screen which is paired with an 800 MHz processor and is powered with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). LG has provided a 3-megapixel camera on the back of the device, with no front facing camera. Connectivity-wise, you’re looking at WiFi, 3G and Bluetooth.

Like their other devices, LG has implemented a UI overlay on top of Android. Unlike other UI overlays however, LG’s offering isn’t pretty, something that really surprised me considering the fact that they managed to pull off the absolutely gorgeous UI on the LG Prada 3.0.
There’s nothing much to say about the hardware, suffice to say that the 800 MHz processor on the device is capable of running basic apps and games without issues. It goes without saying though, that newer, more graphically intense games and apps won’t run quite as smooth on the Optimus L3.
Performance-wise, the Optimus L3 runs smooth enough – in its stock form with few apps installed, the Optimus L3 was able to keep up with me during my daily grind. Of course, the low resolution screen was a bit of a downer especially when compared to my regular Android device – which made typing a bit of a hassle – but that’s not unusual for budget Android smartphones.
Of course, one of the advantages of having a low-resolution screen and slower processor is that the device consumes far less battery than higher spec devices. Combine that with the 1540 mAh battery means that Optimus L3 lasts far longer than most other Android devices. During its time with me, it managed to outlast my HTC Sensation XE by a good day and a half – which says something about the device’s longevity.

Now to address the question everyone’s asking by now: should you get this or the Samsung Galaxy Y? To be honest, both budget Android devices are almost similar in both specs and price – the Galaxy Y runs on an 830 MHz processor and has a 3-inch, 240 x 320 resolution 256K screen and has a 2-megapixel camera and retails for under Php 6,000. Your choice would probably be dictated by three things – availability, bundles (the Galaxy Y is offered by all three telcos while the LG Optimus L3 is just getting off the ground) and design.
The LG Optimus L3 isn’t a bad budget Android smartphone – truth be told it’s actually pretty good for a device of its class, but it has the misfortune of going against an already established budget device that already has 5-month head start in the market. The LG Optimus L3 retails for Php 5,990.

What’s Hot:
Long battery life
Stylish design
Relatively inexpensive

What’s Not:
Low-resolution screen
Small screen makes it hard to type

Bottomline:
The LG Optimus L3 E400 is a solid, budget Android device that almost everyone can afford.

Buymeter: 4

Tech Specs:
Operating System: Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
CPU: 800 MHz
LCD size: 3.2-inch, 240 x 320 resolution 256K capacitive screen
Physical Dimensions: 102.6 x 61.6 x 11.7 mm
Band: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, HSDPA 900 / 2100

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LG officially launches Optimus L3 E400 in the Philippines, priced at 5,990

We had an inkling that LG’s Optimus L3 E400 would challenge Samsung’s Galaxy Y for the budget Android crown, and we were right – the other Korean electronics firm has officially launched the Optimus L3 E400 today at Php 5,990. We got our own review device at our office the other day, so you might want to check out what we initially thought of it here.

To give the launch a bit of a momentum, LG is giving a nice Php 1000 discount for potential Optimus L3 E400 buyers today. Anyone wanting to pick up the device at a discount can do so at LG’s concept stores at the SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall. The sale will start at 5:00 and will last for about an hour – so if you’re in the area and want to pick it up, today’s your only chance.

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LG Optimus EX Becomes Official in South Korea

LG introduces its newest Android Gingerbread-powered smartphone. The LG Optimus EX features an NVIDIA 1.2GHz Tegra 2 processor, which enables the device to play video clips of up to 1080p resolution. Earlier models could only play videos up to 720p. The device also has a four-inch LCD with 480 x 800 resolution and 700 nits of brightness, Android 2.3, 16GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage, 5-megapixel camera, and a front-facing VGA camera.

The smartphone is now officially available in South Korea, with SK Telecom as its carrier. It comes in either black and silver or white and gold color schemes. Price of the LG Optimus EX, as well as details about international release, remain unclear.

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LG P220 Notebook

With today’s notebooks, portability is always a must, giving way to lighter and even smaller notebooks now out in the market. But ironically, people would want their notebooks to be small and light but still have that maximum viewing space, if not larger and bigger. With this in mind, the new LG P220 Notebook is designed to have a maximum display screen for a notebook its size.

The LG P220 Notebook comes with a 12.5 inch display screen featuring a three sided Real Slim Bezel and with an advanced IPS (in-plane switching) display to provide clear and vibrant images if viewed from any angle. Its wide screen display is designed in a compact and slim body that is usually designed for an 11.6 inch notebook. All in all, the LG P220 weighs just 1.3 kg and is 20.9mm at its thickest part.

The LG P220 Notebook runs on the Intel Core i5 processor and comes with an Intel HD Graphics 3000, a 2Gb to 4GB DDR3 memory, and a 250GB or 320GB hard disk. It also has a built-in 1.3MP camera is comes with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. It is set to be available initially in Korea and soon to other markets worldwide. No pricing details has been provided yet.

Image Source: LG

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LG Releases Optimus Q2 Smartphone

LG has recently released its new smartphone in Korea, the LG Optimus Q2. This is the successor to the popular Optimus Q smartphone that it released last year. The new smartphone came out slightly larger than its predecessor but slimmer and even lighter.
The new LG Optimus Q2 comes in a larger body with a bigger display this time but in a slim profile that measures 12.3mm or 0.48 inch thick and weighing only 147 grams. It comes with a 4-inch touchscreen WVGA display and designed with a sliding QWERTY keyboard similar to its 3.5 inch predecessor.
The LG Optimus Q2 runs on a 1.2GHz dual core processor and comes with the Android Gingerbread OS. It also features a 5MP rear camera and a VGA front facing one. It also comes with Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. The LG Optimus Q2 QWERTY smartphone is expected to be released in Korea by next week. No pricing details have yet been provided.
Image Source: LG

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