LG reveals its first Android handset
Raising its stake in the heated battle over the local smartphone market, LG Electronics, the world’s third-largest mobile phone maker, yesterday opened a smartphone based on Google’s Android operating system.
Korean clienteles have access to merely one other Android-based smartphone, the Motoroi from U.S.-based Motorola. That makes LG’s latest handset the first locally made Android-based smartphone. The company has named it, “Andro-1.”
“The keyboard will make it convenient for people to handle the device,” supposed Shin Hyeon-jun, a marketing manager at LG’s mobile phone operation, adding that it will be predominantly good for those who haven’t used a smartphone before.
Dissimilar the Motoroi, which is keyboardless, the Andro-1 comes with a keyboard like a Blackberry. It offers easy access to Google’s search engine, e-mail and calendar services, the business alleged.
Affordability is another key selling point for LG. Aided through the country’s second-largest mobile operator, KT, the Andro-1 will be sold for 600,000 won ($529), but the values will be lower with a subscription. The Motoroi’s base price is 898,700 won.
Jung Do-hyun, chief financial officer at LG, whispered in January that the company will put forth concerted efforts in the smartphone business this year, and that it has confidence in the design of its upcoming devices.
Temporarily, Samsung Electronics, LG’s greater rival and the world’s No. 2 maker of mobile handsets, also plans to announce its first Android-based smartphone within this month.
