LG Arena Takes On iPhone

LG has today launched its flagship phone for 2009 called Arena. And while this phone sports an all-new interface and comes with a lot of multimedia features, it may not suit users who like to customise their phone using downloadable apps.

Click to enlarge

During a hands-on demonstration this morning, LG said that the only thing that the  Arena can install are Java applications. This is a big let down as companies like Apple, Google, and Blackberry are now pushing apps straight to its handsets via its respective stores.

According to Nathan Dunn, LG’s General Manager for Mobile Communications, the Arena is a multimedia phone that offers an intuitive interface, making it easy for users to watch videos, listen to music, look at photos, and surf the Internet.

“The Arena offers a simple, fast, and fun way to engage with multimedia. We have ensured that this touch phone offers stylish design with smart technology that will fit consumers’ lives.”

Besides packing a lot of multimedia features such as being able to play audio and video files, take photos and videos, display pictures, and surf the Internet (via Wi-Fi connection of HSDPA), LG has also created an all new 3D user interface called  S-class User Interface built from the ground up.

Click to enlarge

The cube layout of the device provides four customizable home screens that provide fast access to all features by flipping the cube with the flick of a finger. All the icons are placed in one simple menu, allowing us to choose the program we want to run without going into the sub-menus.

The Reel Scrolling lays out menus as if they were on a film reel, providing icons for each choice that are so easy-to-understand no further explanation is needed. Dragging a finger across the S-Class UI’s 3D reels allows users to scroll through entertainment options.

During our hands-on demonstration, we found the phone’s interface to be similar to Apple’s iPhone – it had four icons at the bottom that gives easy access to the phone, contacts, mail, and applications, while scrolling across the screen will bring you to various multimedia programs.

The unit also comes with a 3.5mm jack and is the first handset with Dolby Mobile surround sound.

The LG Arena will be available for Vodafone stores across Australia for $0 upfront on either the $69 or $79 per month Internet cap or can be purchased outright for $799. LG says that this phone will also be released for Optus and Telstra.

See: www.lge.com.au