LG re-launches into the iPhone-clone ARENA

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 16 February 2009 11:42

IT Industry - Market

Back to the cube. Whyt only four sides? After all, the iPhone can currently have up to 9 pages on its “home screen”, and a graphical on-screen “cube” needn't be limited to merely four sides, but could instead have as many sides as one wanted.

It makes me wonder whether the Arena will come with an LG App Store, much like that on the iPhone or the Google G1 gPhone, or whether additional apps will be limited to Java as with previous LG phones.

Having access to a range of third party apps is what makes a smartphone truly smart, and transforms a smartphone into a handheld computer, not simply a phone with a swathe of inbuilt features.

Let’s hope the Arena is a “true” smartphone with the ability for true native third party software (beyond Java apps) and that LG has an SDK planned, otherwise the iPhone, Symbian devices and the Windows Mobile platform will outclass the Arena in this area.

Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, did announce a few details mixed in with a sales pitch, saying that: “The direct, intuitive and dynamic S-Class UI will be unlike anything that has appeared on a mobile phone before. With rich 3D graphics, touch sensitivity and exciting multimedia capabilities, it will truly make ARENA a fully loaded multimedia phone.”

Given that DiVX playback is already on other phones, LG’s claim of “audio and video technologies never before seen on a mobile phone” are certainly intriguing.

LG says that it took “great effort to ensure that its 2009 flagship delivers an exhilarating multimedia experience, including features aided by Dolby and DivX technologies. LG ARENA will also include enhanced internet connectivity with HSDPA 7.2 networks, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and far more.”

So, what are some of these “far more” specs? Well, according to UnwiredView, here are some leaked specs (and some great pics at the link):

- Tri-band GSM/UMTS/HSDPA connectivity

- 3-inch 800 x 480 WVGA 262K color touchscreen display

- 5 megapixel camera with “DVD quality” video recording

- FM Radio

- Mobile TV

- A-GPS support

- 1000 mAh battery with 300 hrs stand-by and 230 min talk time

- Wi-Fi

More intriguing specs on page 3, please read on!