LG-GW620 will appeal to first-time smartphone

Well, it's finally happened. LG has gone and announced the launch of its
first smartphone powered by the Android OS. We can't say that we're all
that surprised, as they had already let the proverbial cat out of said
bag at the IFA show earlier this month in Berlin (it was called the Etna
while there, but seems to have lost the moniker in the meantime). Even
though we already knew about it, I have to say that there is something
far more comforting in a formal press release than a preview at an
electronics show. So, without further ado, we give you the LG GW620.
Never let it be said that LG, the world's third largest mobile phone
company, doesn't listen to its customers. The launch of the
Android-powered GW620 is hot on the heels of the company's announcement
last week that it would be hitting the market with three new
Windows-powered smartphones, all in the next month or so. There is,
however, a twinge of danger in saturating your own market with an
overabundance of consumer choice causing choice paralysis at the
purchasing end. Let's hope that LG gets that.

The new LG GW620 comes with a nicely proportioned 3-in full touchscreen
and slide out QWERTY keypad. While there was no mention of an integrated
camera in the official press release, the IFA show model was seen to be
sporting a 5MP, fixed focus model that will probably find its way into
the final version as well. Actually, given the timing, it was probably
the final version that was shown at IFA. Safe bet? We think so, too.
The new LG GW620 is being hailed as the ultimate combination of
consumer-friendly design and mobile computing functionality. It looks
like LG has attempted to combine the best of both worlds without
stepping on the toes of its friends over at Microsoft. After all, they
are pretty close to the Gates clan. They plan to launch a mere 13 new
Windows Mobile-based phones over the next year or so if that gives you
any idea exactly how close they really are. That's quite a sticky wicket
if I do say so myself. According to Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of
LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, The LG-GW620 will appeal
to first-time smartphone customers by offering a new and different kind
of user experience.
The LG-GW620 will be available in the fourth quarter of this year in
select European markets.