LG has offically announced the Optimus UI 3.0 for their Android 4.0 devices. The new UI bring some cool features like a swipe anywhere lock screen, customized skins, customizable individual icons, patter lock that lets you set certain lock screen patterns to open specific apps and Voice Shutter that will let you take pictures via voice commands. The new UI will launch with the LG Optimus LTE II and the Optimus 4X HD when they both launch.

If you check out our hands-on below you’ll see that UI is defiantly improved of previous versions. Runs a lot smoother and less obtrusive. It’s still hard to recognize Android 4.0 under all of that but I think users will be pleased with the experience.

LG’S NEW OPTIMUS UI 3.0 ADDS NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS WHILE BEING UNOBTRUSIVE AND SIMPLE

New User Interface Makes the LG Smartphone Experience Faster, Simpler, More Convenient
SEOUL, May 16, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) is introducing a new User Interface (UI) for its newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices, aptly named Optimus UI 3.0. Optimus UI 3.0 brings with it an array of enhanced key features, including Quick Memo™ and unique unlock functions, among other new features and functions aimed at improving LG smartphone experience.

“With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Both carriers and customers tell us that they want LG phones to look and feel unique and the UI plays a big part in that. LG is really going to push the boundaries of what is possible in user interfaces starting with Optimus UI 3.0.”

Optimus UI 3.0 is designed with convenience and speed in mind. A powerful memo function called Quick Memo™ enables users to jot notes on the screen using a finger. Quick Memo™ in Optimus UI 3.0 allows users to share their thoughts through social networks, text messages and e-mails more conveniently than ever before.

Other new features include:

– the ability to unlock the phone by dragging anywhere on the screen;
– a new Pattern Lock that allows users to preset the most frequently used function, such as the camera, which automatically opens once the phone is unlocked;
– a simpler version of Optimus UI 3.0 for new smartphone users which organizes the main applications so that they are the easiest to access;
– a new Voice Shutter that allows users to capture photos using only voice commands;
– a special camera feature that enables users to pick up the best shot among multiple images including the moment just before the shutter button is depressed;
– an Icon Customizer that provides an additional level of personalization by allowing users to set their own photos as icons and shortcut images;
– the addition of a Download category to the menu for easier organization.

Optimus UI 3.0 will debut on the LG Optimus LTE II launching this week in Korea, followed by LG Optimus 4X HD in June

Via Engadget

Source LG

“Dear HTC,”

Last year was what you could call a game-changer for you guys…  Will 2012 be a year of software and hardware innovation?

On one hand, you were again recognized for being one of the top Android manufacturers in the world.  Profits were soaring until late in the year and every consumer who bought your products thought they were more than adequate enough for the job.  But then again, all success meets with an inevitable force, and thus began your second-half financial woes.

To put it simply: you became comfortable. Others would even say lazy.  But churning out that beautifully-constructed HTC Titan brought me back to the fact that your industrial design for mobile phones was what gave your company itsd DNA.  It’s what made you Taiwan’s number one international brand, even over companies like Acer.  Heck, HTC was the brains behind the first ever Android device to be released in the US in the T-Mobile G1 (which I stood in line for on October 22nd, 2008).

Back then, HTC was focused on competing against the folks in Cupertino; but things have changed, HTC.  It’s no longer about competing with Apple, it’s about taking a stake in this Android cesspool of OEMs and big names such as Samsung and Motorola.  Year after year, you showed us how hardware with unfinished software (in the Android operating system) could still make for a compelling and innovative device.  You made a big enough mark in the mobile ecosystem to be a part of the first Google-designed phone in the Nexus One.  The money kept rolling in and your engineers kept on engineering.

Maybe it was the media attention and the numerous accolades which tech sites where giving you guys.  Maybe Samsung’s TouchWiz interface put you in a comfort-zone just by looking at it.  Nevertheless, the facts and bank accounts have shown your complacency over the past few months.  You made a promise to jump-start the HTC brand in 2012.  You made a promise to stop manufacturing pointless smart phones for the sake of quantity over quality. Promises.

Did you keep them with the release of your cleverly-named One series?” Let’s dig in…

HTC One X (Review AT&T version.)

This behemoth of a device rocks a 4.7 inch, 1280 x 720 display with the latest and greatest SuperLCD 2 technology.  For people who don’t know what that actually means, it has higher viewing angles, an almost complete 180 degree viewing angle, a brighter screen, and richer colors.  Super AMOLED Plus still has deeper blacks, sadly.  One downside picky people may find is that the screen size does make this device quite large, but odds are, if you’re reading this article, it doesn’t disturb you in the slightest.

It features a beautifully crafted poly-carbonate  uni-body casing that supposedly has the ruggedness of metal, but still keeps a lightweight feel to it.  HTC certainly wasn’t the first company to incorporate the material into their handsets.  As a matter of fact, the Nokia Lumia 800 (Review) was the first phone is recent memory to do this, which was released only late last year.  Even the glass-wrapping method Nokia uses on the Nokia Lumia 800 found it’s way onto the HTC One X.  Nonetheless, it does live up to the hype.  It feels unlike anything else on the market right now.

As of the writing of this article, there have been multiple complaints of this “ruggedness of metal material” actually chipping, seemingly on its own.  Whether this problem is isolated to just a few devices is yet to be seen.

There’s a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and a double-row of drilled speaker perforations; behind lurks a notification LED.  On the left edge is the micro USB port while the volume rocker is on the right; the power/lock button is on the top edge.  You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack and a row of five pins on the lower right hand corner of the rear panel for use with the optional docking cradle.  Why they continuously incorporate these pins on devices is a mystery to me.  It’s a gimmick feature.  The accessories needed to actually use them don’t come out until months after the release, sometimes never.

The main attraction for this device besides it’s screen is the newly improved camera.  An 8-megapixel unit which packs autofocus, an F2.0 aperture, 28mm lens, a backside-illuminated sensor, “smart” LED flash and support for 1080p HD video recording.  Real-world images taken with the device give credence to what HTC has claimed it’s capable of doing.  That customized sensor they put inside the device was worth it after all.

HTC One S: (Hands-On Video T-Mobile Version)

The second device in the line up,the HTC One S, is a pretty awesome runner up. With its 4.3 inch Super Amoled display, dual-core 1.5ghz snapdragon processor, 8 megapixel camera (1080p HD recording) and cleverly crafted industrial design, it’s no slouch in terms of a powerful smartphone. The One S is very similar to the One X in terms of specs. The only major differences between the two would be the screen resolution (540×960 pixels to 720×1280 pixels) , screen size (4.3 to 4.7 inches), screen technology (Super Amoled vs SuperLCD 2), internal storage (16gb to 32gb), and the processors, which I’ll get to in a little bit . I’m using the international versions of the device for my comparison since American versions usually cripple some aspect of the device. Quad-core chipsets have become the new rave of 2012.. Nvidia ‘s Tegra 3 chip has brought attention yet again to the great innovation we are witnessing in the mobile space. Most people see a a dual-core chipset (which the One S has) and automatically assume it is inferior Nvidia’s new offering of quad-cores. Don’t let spec junky mania fool you folks. Qualcomm’s S4 dual-core processor is just as powerful if not better than Nvidia’s offering. With benchmarks that rival its competitor, increased battery life, and already having LTE capability makes the One S seemingly neck and neck with the One X.  HTC has really outdone themselves if a device of this caliber is their mid-range offering.

HTC One V:(Hands-On Video)

The HTC One V is the third and final device in HTC’s mission to bring their name back to glory. The One V is a lower-tier device with modest specs that for a first time smartphone buyer will be more than adequate to get the job done. The industrial design of the device was inspired by the legendary, HTC Legend ( no pun intended) or better known as the HTC G2. It has the infamous chin that literally serves no purpose but to look different and rather weird. The guts of the device contain an S2 Snapdragon processor, 3.7 inch Super LCD Screen (which is somewhat grainy in quality), an abysmal 1gb of internal storage, and admirable 5 megapixel camera. Even tho its specs don’t jump at the average tech geek, it chugs along quite fine. The user experience, even combined with HTC’s skin, isn’t crippled at all. The image processing and browser seem to be the only parts of the software that have taken a hit. But its anodized shell should make up for those shortcomings. All in all , the One S is a solid smartphone for any consumers seeking something powerful, yet affordable.

LTE

Even though I’m not personally an Android user, this had me grinding my gears a bit.  I’m no spec junky, but Nvidia REALLY needs to step it up with the LTE support.  The insides of the European HTC One X hold a NVIDIA 1.5GHz quad-core (penta-core, really) Tegra 3 chipset, paired with 1GB of RAM and 32GB of non-expandable storage.  NVIDIA insists that its 4+1 core design means performance won’t outweigh longevity.  It packs a 1800mah battery that’s non-removable. You be the judge of that one folks.  Due to Nvidia not incorporating LTE into its chip until late 2012/early 2013, the North American version will come with a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chipset powering it’s gut.

This processor is no slouch by any means.  You won’t even see or feel the difference in user experience to be quite honest.  It does, however, diminish the pure processing power the device was originally capable of.  Connectivity includes the usual WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with high-quality audio support, and NFC.  The micro USB port supports MHL-HDMI with the appropriate adapter (that’s not included), GPS, gyroscope, digital compass, proximity, ambient light sensors, and G-Sensor.

When it comes to HTC’s promise of putting innovation back on the totem pole, they didn’t disappoint.  The HTC One X from a hardware perspective is in a league of its own and can only spawn more innovation from the likes of HTC in the near future.

HTC Sense 4

Those words have haunted pure Android-experience users for the past couple years and you can’t blame them.  Skinning Android has become the new bloat-ware for the entire operating system.  There was a time when Android actually needed these “enhancements” to function efficiently and excel in UX.  It was, and still is, an unfinished product.  It has come a long way since its entry into the mobile space, however.

Adding Matias Duarte to the team at Google has brought some fast and necessary innovation to the operating system and even I must admit, has brought me back (or at the very least, tempted me) to become an Android user once again.  When HTC Sense for Android was first announced, it brought eye-candy to the platform that turned heads.  For some odd reason, HTC figured eye-candy was all they needed to differentiate themselves from the pack of Android OEM’s.  It did, but in the worst possible way.

Device after device, HTC Sense bogged down the OS more and more until the user experience became the sole reason why consumers didn’t want to buy their devices.  It was yet another thing HTC said it would fix in its new initiative of re-awakening its DNA. The HTC One X comes pre-loaded with Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” out of the box.  HTC decided to stick with the old custom skin in this model, but it’s being called HTC Sense 4.0 nowadays.

Gone are the eye-catching but GPU-sapping 3D home screen widgets of last year, replaced with a cleaner looking interface more in line with Ice Cream Sandwich. The app launcher controls and other buttons redesigned, and even the app-switcher UI has been replaced.  A Cover-Flow-style carousel of running software instead of the basic thumbnail previews.  I can’t help but feel that HTC is still crippling the user experience.  Sense has changed, there’s no doubting that, but its change is more towards minimizing the look of what’s still truly going on with Sense.

They’ve down-sized the already-over-sized widgets and icons.  Making the decision to use a single Cover-Flow view of the apps running in the background is beyond idiotic.  The original system already baked into Ice Cream Sandwich gives a four-application view of what’s running in the background. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand a manufacturer has to have an element to their product in order to differentiate themselves from the competition, but you’re dealing with an open-source platform, HTC.  Your credo should be incorporated into the hardware!  The route you’ve taken means software can’t be your forte!  Things aren’t all bad though, HTC is learning from its mistakes.  The camera software, on top of making an effort to change Sense, is a valiant-enough effort to keep consumers interested in their devices.  I can only hope HTC continues to listen to consumers from here on out in order to put a dent in those Samsung sales.

The Bad?  When you get down to it, has HTC kept their promise of bringing forth a new dawn of devices that are compelling to the consumer?  Yes and No.  HTC’s push in the hardware department is nothing short of amazing.  They aren’t only borrowing key components from companies like Nokia (who wouldn’t), they’re also doing what’s necessary to be at the peak of tech innovation.  The guys in the lab back in Taiwan have created a device that can spawn a new era of Android devices that work seamlessly with its counterpart in software.  Where HTC falls short in bridging the gap of perfection is Sense.  Pride can be harmful not only to everyday people, but huge corporations such as HTC.

Just look at RIM.  RIM kept it’s head up it’s ass for far too long and they will pay the price for it.
They pretty much are right now, come to think of it.  Your strengths can only overshadow your weaknesses for so long until they’re no longer as relevant as they once were.

HTC has to embrace the idea of giving people the option to want Sense.  Since it’s no longer a necessity, the next best thing can only be choice.  Once HTC implements this into its business DNA they have a chance to be the #1 Android OEM again.

The Unnecto Quattro is a unique android smartphone. It’s a typical mid-range phone spec with a 4 inch display, 650 MHz single-core processor, 4 GB of storage, 5 megapixel camera and runs Android 2.3.5. What makes the Quattro special is it support for dual sim. You’ll be able to take two sim cards with you and use the one that works best for you in the country  you’re in without needed to swap cards out. This feature is valuable for the heavy world traveller who needs different sim cards for different countries and pricing as well. The other nice thing is that the phone is expected to sell between $150 – $200.  Check out the video and let us know what you think of the Unnecto Quattro.

The LG Optimus Vu is a very interesting device. It’s a smartphone that is a response to the very popular Samsung Galaxy Note.  The Optimus Vu comes with a 5 inch IPS display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 1024 x 768 resolution, 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB or RAM, 8 megapixel rear facing camera, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, 32 GB of storage, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and a 2,080 mAH battery. It now runs Android 2.3 but LG promises by or soon after launch it will have Android 4.0. It uses Stylus input which doesn’t attach to the Vu but LG has design many stylus friendly apps to take advantage of it. It it also optimize apps from the market to run and the proper resolution for the Optimus Vu. Check out Brian from LG as he gives us an in-depth look at the LG Optimus Vu.

The ZTE Era is a step up one again to a more premium offering from ZTE. It comes with a 1.5 Ghz quad-core processor,  1 GB or RAM, 4.3 inch qHD display, 8 megapixel camera and runs stock Android 4.0 ICS. The bottom has standard Android touch sensitive buttons with menu, home, back and search which not something you see usually with Android 4.0 smartphones.  It has a pretty good build quality to it and should do well in the market once it’s released and hopefully it will be a top-tier smartphone for one of the big 4 carriers here in the U.S.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is an android 4.0 ICS tablet that comes with a 1 Ghz dual-core processor, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, 3 megapixel rear facing camera, VGA front facing camera, 4,000 mAh battery and 1024 x 600 resolution on a 7 inch display. With these specs the Galaxy Tab 2 series is meant to be more of an affordable budget friendly tablet while giving you quality.  Check out the unboxing video below and stay tuned for our full review.

The Kyocera Rise is an Android 4.0 smartphone aimed at the budget and prepaid markets. It comes with a 1 GHz single-core processor, 512 MB of RAM, 3.5 inch display and full 4 row QWERTY physical  keyboard. This is one of the first Android ICS phones to have a physical keyboard and it also has unique touch sensitive button with back, home, multi-task and now a menu button. No word of when or where this will end up in the US but you should expect prepaid carriers to grab this one up.

The HTC One V is the entry smartphone in the  HTC One series us here in the U.S. The phone comes with a 3.7 inch display, 1.0 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor, Android 4.0 with Sense 4 and 5 megapixel camera with zero shutter lag and 720p HD video capture, The One V should hit many pre-paid markets and looks to be a good value for performance that you get. Check out our hands-on demo and pictures below.

The HTC One V is on its way to the U.S. and will complete the HTC One series for us here in the U.S. The phone is on the low-end side of the spectrum so expect many pre-paid carriers to push this device on their network.  The phone comes with a 3.7 inch display, 1.0 GHz Snapdragon S3 processor, Android 4.0 with Sense 4 and 5 megapixel camera. We’ll get some hands-on time with it while we are here at CTIA 2012 so stay tuned.

Press Release:

HTC One V to Arrive in the U.S. This Summer

HTC One V aims to impress with premium design, amazing camera and authentic sound

First U.S. preview to be held at International CTIA Wireless 2012

 

New Orleans – May 8, 2012 –HTC, a global designer of smartphones, today announced the global version of the HTC One™ V, part of its highly anticipated HTC One series of smartphones, will be displayed for the first time in the U.S. during the International CTIA Wireless 2012.  The HTC One V is expected to be available through a variety of U.S. partners later this summer.

 

The HTC One series represents HTC’s most premium mobile experience with a new level of premium design, amazing camera and authentic sound experience. With the HTC One V, HTC integrates Android™ 4.0 (ICS) with HTC Sense™ 4, the new version of HTC’s branded user experience with HTC ImageSense™, a new suite of camera and imaging features that set HTC One apart from other phones.  HTC Sense 4 also includes broad enhancements to audio quality and simplifies how people listen to music on their phone.

 

Amazing Camera

With HTC ImageSense, the HTC One V offers an amazing camera that delivers fast image capture, better image quality under adverse conditions, and an easy-to-use display with side-by-side photo and video capture buttons.  The camera can be quickly activated from the home screen and the superfast autofocus enables continuous shooting to ensure you don’t miss those special moments.

The 5-megapixel camera with f/2.0 back illuminated sensor, means that more light is allowed into the sensor to capture quality photos in adverse conditions, such as low light, no light or bright backlighting. With HTC Video Pic™, the smartphone is also capable of capturing still photos while simultaneously recording HD video, and in addition, can capture still images during video playback.

 

HTC Sense 4 also integrates Dropbox, enabling customers to get 25 gigabytes of free Dropbox space for two years – enough to keep more than 10,000 high-quality photos – and makes it easy to edit, save and share photos, videos, documents and other kinds of files.  HTC One V also gives an easy way to share photos and videos with family and friends through Media Link HD* which wirelessly sends content from the smartphone to any TV with an HDMI input.

 

Authentic Sound

HTC One V also provides authentic sound with Beats Audio™ that allows listeners to experience music as the artist intended, creating rich, premium sound experiences whether listening to music, watching a movie, or playing a game.  HTC Sync Manager software makes it easy to transfer songs, artists and playlists from a music library on a computer to the smartphone.  The new HTC Car Stereo Clip* also allows customers to easily bring their mobile music to their car’s sound system.

 

Premium Design
Utilizing the classic, award-winning design of the HTC Legend, the HTC One V brings iconic design to a smartphone with broad appeal and a premium experience.  The timeless, simple aluminum unibody architecture and slightly curved chin allow the HTC One V to fit smoothly in the palm of your hand. The 3.7-inch screen is a delight to the eyes, made out of reinforced glass and is scratch resistant.  The HTC One V features a speedy Qualcomm™ Snapdragon S3 1 GHz processor, and is supported by a 1,500 mAh battery.

Availability

The HTC One V will be available in the United States from a variety of partners in the summer of 2012.  More information on the HTC One series of smartphones can be found at http://www.htc.com/us/.

Windows Phone’s shortcomings give it the ultimate opportunity to propel itself in the race for top smartphone manufacturer. Windows Phone 7.5, better known as Mango, came to fruition mid way of last year and it became a welcome addition to the platform. It added great functionality in the social and multi tasking department; as well as enhancing the live tile aspect of the platform. Microsoft seemed to be on the path of steady and significant upgrades that every consumer wants. Windows Phone can win, if Microsoft steps it up.

The Reality

Microsoft began their refresh for a place in the mobile space to late.  iOS and Android already had their feet set in stone when it came to market share. The bad distaste consumers had from Windows Mobile also didn’t benefit the cause. Windows Phone is vastly different than anything else on the market, but as the past as shown being different isn’t enough in this mobile ecosystem. Upgradable differentiation is the key to constant progression with your product.

The Software

Metro UI is a fluid and elegant piece of work. It takes Apples form of simplicity with a pane of applications and gives it a taste of 21st century eye candy. From the outside looking in, it gives a valiant effort for the most part. Consumers want to get intimate with the operating system, but it’s seemingly boring interface isn’t enough to convert them. Only everyday Windows Phone users know how the user experience drastically differentiates itself from the crowd. It never slows down or push itself more than it needs to. Its a very nicely knit package that performs more like a piece software that’s been around longer than just 2 years.

The Apps

Apps, apps, and more apps. Applications have become the holy grail or the crucifix for present day mobile operating systems. They extended the functionality of the software as well deeply integrating a consumer with its fellow man. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. Apple gave birth to it, Google copied it, and Microsoft is trying to redefine it. The app hysteria around Windows Phone is somewhat unwarranted. Quantity should never overtake quality and in Microsoft’s case, they have a pretty good mix of both. Windows Phone already has the core apps baked into their software so there’s no worries in that department. WP email client is only second to Blackberry’s iteration and the strict hardware guidelines make every experience the same as the next device. The majority of the tech world finds these guidelines as a limiting attribute that ultimately hurts WP expansion, but quality user experience breaks the status quo of beefy specs anyday. Apple is the ultimate showcase of that idea mastered to perfection.

The Hardware

Microsoft mandates that all their WP devices have a hardware requirement to ensure the best user experience for all consumers. In theory, this is genius. It destroys the negative aspects that open source platform brings to the table and supplements it with efficiency. The only problem with Microsoft’s initiative is that all their hardware requirements are last generations tech. It’s a shame that hardware like a snapdragon processor, 512mb of ram, and 800×480 screen resolution have become considered ancient in the tech world. It’s goes to show you the speed of innovation in the mobile industry. It’s truly something to marvel at. Even tho WP doesn’t need the advances in technology such as a quad-core processors or 1gb of ram yet, it does however have to future proof its prized software. Firmware updates have become the make or break feature of present operating systems. It gives the consumer a new lease on the user experience. It puts them at a comfort level knowing that their device won’t be obsolete in a matter of months. Again, Apple has done an amazing job in this regard. Apple has mastered the craft of making its consumers blissful with every device. Microsoft should keep strict hardware for its next version of WP. It just needs to make sure that the hardware is compatible with future versions of itself.

Summary

Windows Phone has been the talk of the town in the tech world the past few weeks. The majority of it is coming from two very distinct viewpoints. One being that Microsoft needs to give current WP users the Apollo update. This update is supposedly going to be an epic change in nature. Multiple different sources have said the update will and will not becoming to current Mango devices. Not to add to the fray, the only thing i will say is that NOT giving current WP users the update is beyond idiotic. I rest my case. The second surprisingly is the Nokia Lumia 900. The consensus is that hardware wise, it’s in a class of its own, and on the other hand, it’s just another WP device. The funny thing is that the negative aspect of various reviews still say that it being another WP device isn’t necessarily a bad thing, only that other current generation operating systems like IOS and Android are more advanced. The critics are right in more ways than one. But Microsoft and current WP users should take one thing away from all this sudden Windows Phone hysteria. Windows Phone has POTENTIAL! Tremendous and warranted potential. Microsoft has to supplement its own shortcoming with progression in the mobile space. A 2 year old operating system causing this much discussion can only mean that people WANT a Windows Phone. They just can’t in it’s current state. I can’t help but feel the Metro UI is a reincarnation of WebOS trying to resurrect itself lol. Maybe it’s the tech geek inside of me, or maybe it just has THAT much potential. Only time will tell, but in the mean time, STEP IT UP MICROSOFT!