Remember that allegiance that LG once mentioned they would have with Microsoft a year ago? Apparently that seemingly would never happen with LG’s commitment on introducing half of their smartphone lineup being powered by the Android platform. LG Mobile president and CEO, Skott Ahn, stated in a recent interview with the Korea Times that they plan on introducing 20 smartphones this year; with half of them running Android. This also looms badly for Microsoft; especially when they plan on unveiling the next version of their operating system at MWC. Ahn goes further on to say that “Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system is rather unqualified in mobile interfaces” and that they are in search of “a key flagship smartphone model that could sell over 10 million units.” With so many manufacturers already witnessing the financial successes with Android devices, LG’s change of heart may have some justification. Unfortunately for Microsoft, they will really need to impress everyone if they want to stay competitive and attractive in this market.
source: Korea Times via Unwired View

Hooray for LG – finally! Better late than never, but LG is finally on board with their first Android handset to hit the market – in the UK that is. LG announced today the availability of the LG InTouch Max GW620 which has been in the works for some time when it was first made known last year as the Etna. It doesn’t hastily come out brandishing some of the latest features we’ve seen other Android handsets offer, but rather, a conservative approach is taken with its launch. It clearly takes some of its design cues from past LG handsets we’ve seen; like the QWERTY keyboard which looks similar to what’s seen on the LG eXpo and Xenon. Crafting a streamlined sleek looking body may be all the rage, but the LG InTouch Max has a body that doesn’t want to hide its innards. The lucky people in the UK will have the first chance of witnessing LG’s creation that is powered by Android 1.5 and have the option of using the LG user interface. Right now the UK is where to be, where they are making the handset ripe for the pickings with it being offered for free on a £20-per-month T-Mobile two year agreement which includes unlimited data. At the same time, Virgin Mobile will give you the handset for free with a £22-per-month, 18-month contract that offers unlimited texts and data.
source: Virgin Mobile via CNET & Engadget

French tech blogger Presse-Citron is passing on the word that they heard from a design session at LG Design Labs that the Korean manufacturer expects to release a Windows Mobile 7 flavored device by September. That would beat the current expectations of a 2010 launch for the OS. This news was spread by some tweets that are no longer in existence except on Google’s cache. Google for Presse-Citron’s tweets and the info might still come up.

The tweets say that LG will release a Windows Mobile 7 phone in September and an Android 2.1 phone in April. Both will launch first in the States with Europe to follow. Now the million dollar question is whether or not the gang at Redmond plans on showing off Windows Mobile 7 at the MWC next month. Some have started to believe that the OS will stay home and miss the show. But if this LG news is for real, there is a good chance that we will see some type of  introduction by Microsoft in February.
source: Google (Twitter Presse-Citron) via WMPowerUser, EngadgetMobile

Move over Windows Mobile, but LG is looking to give the Android platform about half the love for its smartphone lineup. Now it’s a bit tough to gather what stance Android has based on the statement by LG’s CEO; Nam Yong. He has reportedly stated that “about 50 percent of our smartphone models will run on Android.” With a decent amount of LG handsets featured with Android at CES, it’s a clear indication that LG’s support for Windows Mobile may be dwindling. Surprisingly though, it was roughly a year ago when both Microsoft and LG formed a new partnership to have WM 6.5 as the platform of choice running on their smartphones. It’s still unclear about what percentage, if any, would be Android versus Windows Mobile. In any case, it could be taken as Windows Mobile still being the clean cut winner – “about 50 percent” could actually mean something like 49.9% for Android. If their CES showing points to a clear outlook, then maybe Android will ultimately outpace Windows Mobile.
source: The Korea Herald via Engadgetmobile

The LG GW880 is a handset with quite similar design to the Windows phone LG GM750, but unlike the latter runs the Android-based operating system called Open Mobile System (OMS). It sports 3.5-inch WVGA display, 5-megapixel camera, GPS, Bluetooth and supports mobile TV. The cell phone will be distributed in China by China Mobile and will come with access to the carrier´s online application store.

We hope that similar device (but equipped with authentic Android) comes to the European or American markets soon, because the announced plans of LG include the release of more cell phones running the popular Google-made operating system.
via AkihabaraNews

At a special blogger´s event in London, LG´s sales and marketing executive for the UK, John Barton, has revealed part of the plans of LG´s cell phone division for the next year. He stated that LG would release an Android-based cell phone in 2010 and the device would come without hardware keyboard, unlike the manufacturer´s first model running the mentioned OS, the LG GW620. Unfortunately, Mr. Barton didn´t disclose any other details about it, so it´s still unclear if the device is to be equipped with 1GHz Snapdragon processor like we told you some time ago. Android has been all the rage on the cell phone market for some time now, so it´s quite likely that LG rolls out more than just one device with the operating system in 2010.
It seems more wristwatch cell phones are on their way as well. The information about them is sketchy indeed, but we do hope the new range includes an affordable handset, because the current model, the LG GD910 is far too expensive.
source: FoneHome

Android phones are becoming available far and wide, and LG is in the game with their Android-powered GW620 “Eve” on the Rogers network. Although the Rogers site lists the phone as an out-of-stock item, we hope this will change very soon as they stock their shelves.

The Eve can be yours for a contract price of only $49.99, but if long-term commitments aren’t your thing, then you can have it outright for $399.99. Here are the features you can expect from the GW620 Eve: 3-inch touchscreen display with 480 x 320 resolution, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accelerometer, 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, video recording, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA connectivity support, 2GB microSD card included, and a full slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard.

If you’re on the Rogers network, does the Eve appeal to your sensibilities?

source: engadget

It looks like LG is getting more serious about bringing to fruiting the GW620, an Android-powered device with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 5-megapixel camera, and 3-inch touchscreen. LG is planning on releasing three Android-based devices this year, and the GW620 “Etna” should be the first, likely in time for the holidays. It also looks like LG has created some web space for the handset at www.lg-gw620.com. Nothing on the site yet, but it’s bookmarked. Check out the two videos below for further evidence that the GW620 is forthcoming.

source: Android Authority

Trade shows are excellent places for spotting the new stuff, and the IFA Trade Fair in Germany is no exception. LG Electronic’s first Android handset, the Etna, was spotted over at the Vodafone booth and the folks at phandroid.com learned a few details: 3-inch screen, 5MP camera, Bluetooth, USB connectivity, and full QWERTY slide-out keyboard. The Etna will be available on Vodafone and there is no word if it will make a U.S. appearance.

source: phandroid

We know that many of you just can’t wait for the next Android phone to come out. That’s why we decided to post a table, compiled by Digitimes, that illustrates approximately when we should expect the major manufacturers to roll out their pieces of Android hardware. Note that the table includes only Asian manufacturers, which practically includes almost everyone that has plans for Android.

source