Camera Phones Plaza

We all know that two logos or brands sell better than one. These kinds of associations are made more and more frequently with only one purpose only, market domination. However the brand association is not entirely easy to make. For instance two phone manufacturers will never associate their brands (only if one company is bought by the other company, then a temporary period starts ~ 2 years until full takeover). It is highly unlikely to see Nokia Samsung, or LG Sony Ericsson, and even more it would be pointless. However, some manufacturers are trying everything just to sell more products (exclusive products). This process started back in 2007 when Apple announced the first generation of iPhone.
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By then LG wrapped up in no time a partnership with Prada, launching the first Prada phone and the first LG touch screen device. Since then the market has changed a little bit and an upgrade to LG Prada was mandatory. Announced on October 2008, LG Prada II or KF 900 was launched in December 2008. For the optimistic people out there this month, October 2009, means the announcement of Prada III.

However, LG hasn't yet approved 9officially) of any replacement of the Prada II. As you may already know, this phone includes an excellent design, by all means exquisite, with a flawless build quality. Even more, LG understood that a fashion phone with the latest specs would mean a market success. Therefore, starting from the Prada I design and including features like QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi and HSDPA, LG successfully created one of the best stylish phones on the market. In terms of success, this phone has reached its expectations. However, we can't talk about great sale numbers, since this phone is rather exclusivist and so is its price. With the latest Samsung Armani announcement (also adding QWERTY keyboard to the feature list) LG could still surprise us before Christmas with a Prada III. Until then, let's review the LG Prada II, because this year it is going to be on sale on this year shopping season.

Before taking into consideration its main disadvantages, let's take a look at the key features, such as the 3 inches WQVGA touch screen, QWERTY keyboard, excellent communication and connectivity, 5 megapixel auto focus digital camera, improved interface, office document viewer, accelerometer sensor, and support for the DivX / XviD video formats. Its main disadvantages are not that heartbreaking at all. If you know very well the Prada I, then Prada II will seem very familiar in terms of design (but then again all the iPhones lookalike so no need to complain about the familiar design), no GPS, not the latest multi touch features, relatively bad video recording (LG really has a problem with video recording, it is not a Prada II problem, rather a LG problem), and no flash support in the web browser (very second generation operating system for iPhone mobile platform from LG).

The only real disadvantage is the material used in the Prada II build, plastic, and too much plastic for a fashion phone. In terms of design, the Prada II doesn't look to different than Prada I. the upgrade was more in terms of hardware and software, rather than style. The Prada II is made entirely out of plastic, with a combination between glossy black plastic and silver matte plastic. Also, you get really nice chrome finishes elements that will improve the overall look. The build quality is good, even if we are talking about a QWERTY plastic phone; you get no flex or weir noises when pressed to hard. The design is now style business, rather than fashion only. If you are looking for a complete new design, you still have to wait for the third generation, because if you let a side the QWERTY keyboard the visual differences between Prada I and Prada II, are similar with the visual differences between iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

With a height of 104.5 mm, wide of 54 mm, deep of 16.8 mm, the Prada II weights about 130 grams. All the above values mean that this phone is neither the lightest nor the thinnest on the market. The front side sports a nice glossy black look with silver finishes like the "Prada" logo and the front panel keys. Above the touch screen you get the earpiece and the second digital camera for enabling video calls. Under the touch screen you get the back key, the call key and the end call key with the power on and off function. All these three keys are really great to use (a little undersized in terms of height), but offer sufficient feedback (no matter how hard you press them).

On the right side of the phone you get the covered micro SD memory card slot, the shutter key, the dedicated camera key and the multitasking / launcher key. On the left side you are only going to find the volume controls. All these keys are chrome finished adding an extra value to the overall design of the Prada II. On the top of this phone you will find a connector with double function, both charger function and headset function (this too is covered with a protective cap). The glossy black plastic cover case sports on the upper left corner the 5 megapixel digital camera lenses, the dual LED flash and a mirror for self portrait. The Prada II slides to the right to reveal the QWERTY keyboard, the opposite direction of the GW 520; besides having a different design and layout this keyboard is in terms of construction and feedback very similar to the QWERTY keyboard found on GW 520.

These keys are 7 mm wide with a 1.5 mm space between them. The backlit lamination is adequate in intensity and color. When you slide the QWERTY keyboard out the display will automatically switch between the portrait modes to the landscape mode. In terms of software, the included operating system and user interface are evolved from the Prada I. even more, the user interface works faster, and the multitasking includes no glitches or freezes. Overall, the software upgrade is definitely a plus. However, there are some hardware changes that provide the software improved performances, such as the capacitive touch screen, which means no stylus is necessary for a complete user experience.

Even more this user interface is fully customizable (although there are available four pre-installed themes). If you are familiar with the LG Cookie, then you will find this user interface logic and intuitive since it's a close version to the user interface found on the LG Cookie. However, the Prada II is limited to only seven widgets such as music player, FM radio, analog clock, notes, and others. Overall, the user interface found on the Prada II is not exactly as good as the Samsung Touch Wiz. The phonebook, call log, music player, video player are all good applications, with sufficient to features to provide to the user. Even more as a business feature you get the office document viewer. All Microsoft Office documents and PDFs can be opened on the Prada II.

Therefore, Prada II packs enough features from the multimedia line and the business line. The LG Prada II works in 2G network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and in 3G network, HSDPA 900 / 2100. LG included in this phone a 3 inches TFT capacitive touch screen display with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels (WQVGA), capable of rendering about 256000 colors. LG also included an accelerometer sensor for auto rotate.

The brightness offered is not exceeding the Prada I values. You only get good brightness in artificial light environment, while under direct sunlight the colors on this display will easily get washed out. The included memory is only 60 MB. However, you can easily expand this value by using micro SD memory cards or Trans Flash memory cards up to 16 GB. The connectivity is ensured by GPRS Class 10 (with 4+1 / 3+2 slots) and a varying speed from 32 Kb per second to 48 Kb per second, EDGE Class 10, with a maximum speed of 236.8 Kb per second, HSCSD, Wi-Fi with 802.11 b/g profile, HSDPA up to 7.2 Mb per second, Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP, and USB 2.0 connection. The primary camera included has a 5 megapixel value, with Schneider Kreuznach optics, providing a maximum photo resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels, with auto focus and dual LED flash.

Even more, you get sufficient editing features for photos before you take them, and even after. This camera can also record videos in 720 x 480 pixel resolution with 30 frames per second. The second video camera enabled video calling. Unfortunately LG included only a 950 mAh Lithium Ion battery. This unit will provide at best 400 hours in standby mode, or 3 hours of talk time. For an average user these values should mean about two days of autonomy, within normal usage. LG definitely thought the advertising of this phone will not improve sales without a complete retail package.

Therefore, you get an excellent designed leather cube retail box, with the Prada phone on top (very iPhone like), underneath it being included the accessories, such as mandatory charger, cleaning cloth, CD software, USB cable, user manual, leather case engraved with "Prada logo", stereo handset with music controls remote including a 3.5 mm jack on the remote, and last but not least, the 1 GB micro SD memory card. Other accessories can be found on LG's portfolio, but keep in mind they cost extra.

Overall, the LG Prada II is truly a good phone. It packs into a stylish, excellent branded, package all the features you might need, including excellent camera, great connectivity and a capacitive touch screen. If you are looking for a two branded phone, then for less money, then maybe you are looking for a Prada II with an original price tag reduced (since this phone is almost one year old, more precise 10 months).

No manufacturer is ready to give up a certain phone line, such as the entry level line. Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, LG are all trying to successfully cover all the possible phone lines with models that are starting to become more and more attractive even for entry level phones. This evolution is part of the manufacturer's competition to exceed one another. However, on the market this only means one thing, excellent products for less money. LG is trying to consolidate its position in the entry level phone line since January this year. Its new entry level phone line is branded as "GB". The first model was announced on January 2009, GB 106, and released in March 2009. This phone really looks like cheap. You get old form factor, with cheap plastic body, and a colored frame finish.

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The navigational keys and the alphanumerical keys are all made of rubber, and the battery cover sports a small flex when pressed. With a height of 102 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14.6 mm, the GB 106 weights about 70 grams, making this phone really lightweight and easy to carry around. The included display is an old 1.5 inches CSTN with 128 x 128 pixels resolution, capable of rendering up to 65000 colors. It lacks any connectivity whatsoever and includes a 1 MB onboard memory. You get only SMS function and a FM radio.

The battery included is a Lithium Ion with 950 mAh, capable of offering 440 hours in standby (GSM 900 / 1800), and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This phone is just the first from ten GB phones released by LG by now. I am going to present you in chronological time the next four GB model, while the last five will be part of a future article. Also announced in January 2009 and released on March 2009, the GB 110 sports a better design, than the GB 106. Although the navigational keys and the alphanumerical keys are still made out of rubber, the overall build of the GB 110 is improved. The design is also more 2007, and not 2003. This phone runs in 2G network, GSM 900 / 1800. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14.6 mm, the GB 110 weights about 65 grams, making this phone even more compact than the BG 106. LG included in the GB 110 the same 1.5 inches CSTN display with 128 x 128 pixels resolution, capable of rendering up to 65000 colors.

With only 1 MB internal memory, this phone lacks any possible entertainment. However, the GB 110 sports a memory card slot, compatible with micro SD memory cards with the maximum value of 4 GB. The connectivity is only ensured by the 2.0 USB connections. LG also added in the GB 110 a VGA camera capable of taking photos only in 640 x 480 pixels. No video recording capabilities, but GB 110 sports a MP3 player. The same Lithium Ion 950 mAh battery used on GB 106 is included in the GB 110, capable of providing up to 440 hours in standby and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes talk time.

As a conclusion, the GB 110 is a solid upgrade of the GB 106. The third GB model announced in February 2009, sports a different style, with nice design and good entry level specs. The GB 130 is a slider sporting a matte black plastic on the unopened front cover and back cover. The frame surrounding the display is made out of a glossy material. The alphanumerical keyboard and the sides of GB 130 are made out of a silvery plastic, giving the design a nice contrast. The front cover includes the display, above which you get the earpiece and the "LG" logo, while below the display you can find the navigational keys including, two soft keys, alarm clock key, call key, end call key, calendar key, five way navigational pad (up, down, left, right and the centered OK). Once opened the GB 130 sports a big alphanumerical keyboard. The keys are made out of a rubber plastic material. The feedback is average, not too great, but not too bad.

The build quality is overall average, but the design is certainly an improvement over the first two models. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 47 mm, deep of 15.6 mm, the GB 130 doesn't have a specified weight offered by LG (weird but true). LG included in the GB 130 a 2.0 inches TFT display with a resolution of 120 x 160 pixels, capable of rendering about 65000 colors. The internal memory was improved to 64 MB, but LG removed the memory card slot from GB 130. The connectivity is ensured only by the GPRS and the USB connectivity. The same battery on the GB 106 and GB 110 was also included in this model, Lithium Ion 950 mAh battery. The standby value will not pass 400 hours (in the 2G network GSM 900 / 1800), while the talk time is about 6 hours.

Overall, the GB 130 is an improved version of GB 110 in terms of design and display. However the lack of memory card slot and digital camera make includes this phone under the GB 110 in terms of a balanced price / specs. The fourth model announced and released this year, the GB 102 is located in terms of specs under the GB 106. However, the GB 102 sports an improved design, with a nice matte black plastic body, and a nice form factor. Also the navigational keys are made out of a metallic material, while the alpha numerical keyboard is made out of one piece of black rubber which looks nice. In terms of design this phone is really attractive. With a height of 103 mm, wide of 45 mm, deep of 14 mm, the GB 102 includes a 1.5 inches CSTN display with a resolution of 128 x 128 pixels, capable of rendering about 65000 colors. You get no memory card slot, no camera and no connectivity. Beside the organizer and the T9, the GB 102 doesn't sport anything else.

LG included into this model a Lithium Ion battery with 800 mAh, capable of 400 hours in standby and 6 hours and 30 minutes in talk time. Between GB 106 and GB 102, the last one is a better choice. The last phone in this article is the LG GB 220 also known as "Kate" announced in February 2009 and released in August 2009. The GB 220 sports a nice design made out of a matte black plastic inside and on the back cover, while on the outside cover (since GB 220 sports a clamshell design) sport a metallic silver frame surrounding a patterned glossy surface that covers the external display. Inside you can see the stainless steel hinge and the plastic keys from the alphanumerical keyboard.

The navigational keys are not only better looking but also provide a better feedback than the alphanumerical keyboard. LG improved dramatically the build quality. The GB 220 sports a solid build, with no flex whatsoever, not even from the keyboard keys which deliver an average feedback. With a height of 105 mm, wide of 46 mm, deep of 14 mm, the GB 220 weights only 72 grams, making it very portable and easy to carry around. LG included in the GB 220 an external display of 1 inch (TFT technology) with a resolution of 96 x 64 pixels, while inside it added a 1.76 inches TFT display with 176 x 144 pixels resolution capable of rendering about 65000 colors.

On board the GB 220 you can find 512 MB, expandable value using the micro SD memory card or Trans Flash memory cards up to 2 GB. The connectivity is ensured by the GPRS and EDGE, Bluetooth version 2.0 and the USB connectivity. LG also included a 1.3 megapixel camera with a maximum resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels. The GB 220 sports a Lithium Ion battery with 800 mAh value, which should provide about 300 hours in standby, or 3 hours and 20 minutes in talk time for the 2G network - GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900. Overall, these five models are in terms of specs and design cheap mobile phones. However, the GB 220 is closer to what an entry level mobile phone should be, average specs, with a nice design and an entry level price tag.

The mobile phone market is divided in three, well for, ranges. You get the classic range, with normal mobile phones, average spec list and a price tag of under $230. You have the business range, with all sort of mobile launched recently or not on the market, which offer the ultimate business experience, but only in direct relation with the price you pay (Nokia E series, with all sort of business phone models, but their specs list vary just like their price tags).
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The most marketed range, the high multimedia mobile phone range which brings so many phone models from all the manufacturers (also the price tags vary from one manufacturer to another manufacturer, because you can pay for the same spec list phone different prices depending on the brand logo). And last, but far from the least, is the style mobile phone range. Over the last five years we all have seen, fashion phones with only the manufacturers logo, or with both manufacturer logo and a fashion industry brand. From D&G Motorola, to Armani Samsung, Prada with LG, and now Aura luxury phone ($2000), it seems that this range is far for being closed. Another LG style phone, this time without a fashion industry brand attached, is the LG GD 900 Crystal.

This phone is until now, unique with its see through sliding keyboard. LG brought to the market not just another good looking phone, but also a full features high end gadget. It's not exactly LG flagship model but it does sports enough features to be considered a high end multimedia device. The only feature lacking is the GPS. However, the GD 900 includes some main disadvantages, such as the bad screen legibility in day broad light, only average camera photo quality, no 3.5 mm audio jack, bad video recording, lacks full support for DivX and XviD video. The main attraction of the GD 900 design is the see through (or transparent if you like) sliding keyboard. If you keep the phone closed, you are not going to find something special about it. The GD 900 body is made entirely out of plastic.

No metal finish anywhere on the case. The only thing it makes this design somewhat stylish is the white glow look of the unique keypad. In terms of dimension, the phone is stands in the average line. With a height of 105 mm, wide of 52.5 mm, deep of 13.5 mm, the GD 900 weights about 127 g, making the LG model not the lightest phone on the market. on the front side above the display and surrounded by a grey frame, you get the earpiece, proximity sensor and the second camera for video calling. Below the display you get the call key, end call key and the shortcut to the cube menu (or interface, which is basically another way to present the menu, something similar with what Samsung Omnia II has to offer). Once you slide the phone, you get the transparent key pad. This keypad doesn't actually sports real keys. It is just a single touch screen layer with numeric letters attached to the "keys".

As you can imagine no flex or bad usability is a matter here. Everything works nice and there is nothing bad you can say about the keypad. Once the phone illuminates the keypad you will understand why LG named GD 900 "Crystal". All keys offer good feedback, helping GD 900 improve its usability. On the left side you can find a micro USB port (covered), while on the right side GD 900 sports the dedicated camera key and the volume control keys. Just like the LG arena, LG GD 900 Crystal has on the top side the Power On and Off button, also used as a switch for the touch screen. When closed the GD900 doesn't sport anything on the back side; however, once opened you will find on the upper left corner the 8 megapixel camera lens with the LED flash. On the opened slider you will also find on the back (almost in the left side of the phone) the micro SD card slot. Overall, the GD 900 provides a solid build. It lacks, however, of nice to touch and look materials, but overall LG provides GD 900 Crystal a nice, somewhat stylish look. Also the phone is stable enough; you are not going to get any flex or squeaks when pressing the case a little too much.

LG GD 900 Crystal comes with the S Class user interface, which is one of the best interfaces found on mobile phones nowadays. Beside the excellent iPhone's user interface and the new Touch Wiz 2.0, S Class provides a great user interface experience. The GD 900 sports the same user interface with the new BL 40 Chocolate. Also this is the refreshed version found on the LG Arena. The best feature onboard this interface is the 3D cube menu, providing instant access to four home screens fully customizable (just customize a screen for work, one for home, one for camera, and if you are a music fan, one for audio experience). It is very similar to what you get from the Touch Wiz 2.0 and doesn't bring actual features. The new version improves some issues found on the previous S Class interface. Also you get to customize your GD 900 with any widgets you might want, calendar, world time, weather, memo, calculator and so many other you already get with the phone, or others that could be downloaded. The interface also brings an excellent organizer, and provides good short message function, beside the good call function. The LG's music player, Dolby Mobile, is pretty good. Not the best found on the market, but enough to be included in a high end mobile phone. You get all sort of settings and options, and the sound offered is good to excellent, because of the preset EQ.

If you were planning to use GD 900 as a movie player, you should revise your plans. LG GD 900 Crystal is not the best choice for watching video. Music videos are watchable but that about it, because of the lack of video support. LG GD 900 runs in 2G network (GSM 850 / 900 / 1900 / 1800) and in 3G network (HSDPA 900 / 2100, and HSDPA 850 / 2100). Also the phone features an excellent 3 inches TFT capacitive touch screen with a 480 x 800 pixels resolution, capable of rendering up to 16 million colors. Special features complete the multimedia package, gesture shortcut, handwriting recognition, multi touch input method, accelerometer sensor for auto rotate feature. LG ships the GD 900 with 1.5 GB internal memory, value that is expandable by using a micro SD memory card (Trans Flash memory card), up to 32 GB supported. The connectivity is ensured by the Class 10 GPRS (with the common by now 4+1 / 3+2 slots) with 32 Kb per seconds to 48 Kb per second, HSCSD, Wi-Fi with 802.11 g/g profile, EDGE Class 10 with 236.8 Kb per second, HSDPA with 7.2 MB per second, 2.0 micro USB, and Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP. Another excellent feature packed in the LG GD 900 Crystal is the 8 megapixel digital camera, with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels, auto focus, and LED flash. Also the built in camera can record videos at 720 x 480 pixels with 30 frames per second, in VGA mode with 30 frames per second, and in QVGA and slow motion video recording. LG included in the GD 900 a 1000 mAh standard Lithium Ion battery with a reported standby time of 300 hours and a talk time in 2G networks of 6 hours and in 3G networks of 4 hours.

Overall, the LG GD 900 Crystal brings good features (2009 spec list indeed) into a somewhat stylish package. The best feature of this phone that includes it in the fashion phone line is the transparent sliding keypad. If you are looking for a special stylish mobile phone, then rest assured that GD 900 Crystal can be an excellent choice.

LG is about to release another cheap candybar which is expected to be (obviously, as a matter of fact) part of the entry-level family of cell phones. Its name is LG GB109 and is aimed at the Ukrainian market, at least for the beginning. So, customers from Ukraine should prepare themselves, because this new cheap device will start selling in their country sometime next month (August, to be more precise).

It’s rather usual for entry-level cell phones to be equipped only with basic features that aren’t to impress customers, so the LG GB109 isn’t an exception to the rule. After all, this is a handset aimed at those who don’t want to have the latest technology stuffed within a device that has other main purposes than entertainment, for example.

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The list of features isn’t impressive, just like I said before, and includes a 1.5 inch CSTN display with 65k colors, an organizer, stereo FM radio, quick-access keys to the FM radio and the messaging features, and a 950 mAh battery that is able to provide approximately 6 hours of talk time and no more than 440 hours of stand-by time.

The LG GB109 will become available, as I mentioned earlier, in Ukraine, starting next month, under a price of only 389 UAH (this means approximately $148).

(Source: UnwiredView)

LG has been very busy in the last couple of weeks with the Black Label Series 4, the newest Chocolate phone, but they find some time in order to focus their attention on other handsets also. For example, they have made a pre-announcement that has something to do with the low end range of cell phones: the company is preparing a brand new messaging phone, the LG GW300.

Compared to the way LG decided to act when it comes to the new Chocolate phone, we won’t have to wait for relevant details to become available to the public, because the company has already taken care of this aspect.

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As I said, the GW300 is part of the low end family of phones, being focused on the messaging features. As a consequence, it comes with integrated Facebook and email clients, with a full QWERTY keyboard, a 2.4 inches QVGA display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, USB 2.0 connectivity, stereo Bluetooth and 2.5G GSM, GPRS/EDGE. The phone weighs no more than 95 grams.



For the moment, we know nothing about the camera. We know there’s one, as you can see for yourselves in the pictures, but other details are not available.

As for the availability and the price, we should be a little bit patient. But don’t worry, there will be cheap cell phone plans conceived for this handset, as we’re talking about a low-end phone.

(Source: UnwiredView)