LG is introducing a new range of phones, called the Town Series, geared towards integrating social networking functions into the user experience. The first of the lot is now confirmed for Europe, where it will be known as the LG Town GT350.

Designed as an entry-level touchscreen device, it will come bearing both touch controls and a four-row QWERTY keyboard with that playful design reminiscent of the company's youth-oriented messaging handsets. According to LG, it will use a non-smartphone version of S-Class UI as the interface, tweaked to "make it easier than ever to enjoy real-time interaction with friends on popular social networks."

Details of the LG Town GT350 include a 3-inch WQVGA resistive touchscreen (240 x 400 resolution), a 2.0 megapixel camera module, Bluetooth 2.1, an FM tuner, WiFi and microSD card expansion. Network support is restricted to GSM/EDGE, with no 3G. Despite the slide-out QWERTY keyboard, it clocks in at a slim 15.9 mm.

Key software features include a live social networking feed (ala Motoblur) with quick one-tap refresh and close integration of social services, such as Facebook, Twitter and Orkut. It will be available in four colors - aqua blue, purple, light silver and black.

European markets, including UK, Italy and Germany, will get first dibs on the LG Town GT350 this June. It will be followed by a release on other markets, with pricing to be announced separately for each country. One listing in Italy, however, has it for €149 ($183), which should make it an attractive competitor in that broad entry-level touchscreen market.

[via Korea Newswire]

While any handset coming out now with Windows Mobile 6.5 at the helm has been rendered less attractive by the impending release of Windows Phone 7, the LG Fathom makes a good case for being your smartphone of choice. Most notably, it's one of the few handsets in Verizon's roster with both GSM and CDMA chipsets, allowing you to use it in your international travels.

Physically, it is an attractive-looking phone, with numerous similarities to the Android-powered LG Ally. The design is quite boxy, though, and it adds considerable bulk to your pocket. We like the overall aesthetic, especially the stone texture on the front bezel, and the construction feels very solid. It sports a 3.2-inch touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), paired with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The screen is resistive, though, making for less responsiveness, although the lines and colors are gorgeous. The full QWERTY keyboard slides out very smoothly and is very comfortable to use.

As a phone, the Fathom makes for great calls with no distortion. There's a metallic tinge to the voice (so you'll know it's from a cellphone), but everything goes crystal clear on both ends. Speakerphone audio is similar, adding just a hint of echo. Battery life is rated for 7 hours of talk time, which should be good enough for a little over two days of normal use.

Windows Mobile is slow and this handset makes up for it with a 1GHz Snapdragon processor. The result is pretty smooth navigation, good performance during multitasking and very few lags when launching apps. IE is slow at rendering, though, and you'll quickly realize it when scrolling on your very first web page, which is too bad because the EV-DO speeds are quite impressive.

Being a world phone, LG bundled four different adapter clips to the charger, so you can use it practically anywhere in the world. Do note that while it's compatible with quad-band GSM/UMTS and CDMA, you're restricted to using Verizon's network in the US.

It's got all of Windows Mobile's usual strengths, such as solid messaging (from SMS to push email to threaded conversations to Exchange syncing), lots of preloaded tools (Office Mobile, Windows Live, Adobe Reade LE, text-to-speech, etc.) and Windows Marketplace access. It has aGPS via VZ Navigator Global, which you can use in at least 20 countries.

You get the standard Windows Media Player for entertainment, which supports a decent range of audio and video formats. The 3.2 megapixel camera offers plenty of settings, with resulting images looking sharp, but lacking more vibrant colors.

Overall, the LG Fathom is a solid Windows Mobile phone, especially if you do frequent traveling outside the country. The price point is very attractive too - $149.99 with a two-year agreement.

Verizon Wireless and LG just announced a new Windows Mobile smartphone for business users. Billed as the LG Fathom VS750, the new handset is touted as the "ultimate on-the-go office." Like other devices running on the same platform, though, it's likely to be rendered obsolete shortly with the impending release of Windows Phone 7.

A world phone, it can be used for voice calls in over 220 countries and data access in at least 200, including 110 with broadband data connectivity. Packing a 1GHz CPU, a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard and OS version 6.5.3, it's easily one of the most powerful Windows Mobile handsets in the market.

Details of the LG Fathom include a 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen (with WVGA resolution), a 3.2 megapixel camera module (with autofocus and camcorder capabilities), aGPS, WiFi, 3G (it automatically switches between EVDO and HSPA), Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB). It comes with a slew of features for full-on global business use, including Exchange support, Office Mobile, Adobe Reader LE, VZ Navigator Global and the usual Windows Mobile niceties.

Packaged for international use, the LG Fathom VS750 is bundled with an international charger plus up to four different adapter clips in the box for convenient use in multiple countries. It comes in one style - a sleek, slate blue case - and will retail for $149.99 on contract (after a $100 rebate). It requires you to sign up for a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan. It hits store shelves beginning May 27.

[Verizon Press Release]

LG isn't new to Android smartphones. However, the LG Ally represents the Korean manufacturer's first device to hit US soil, bringing good looks, impressive performance and a nice price tag along with it.

Physically, the handset is reminiscent of LG's feature messagers, with its slide-out QWERTY keyboard on a rectangular frame. The angled sides, combined with the 5.57 oz weight, makes it convenient to handle, with a good feel in hand. It has a 3.2-inch touchscreen display with an 800 x 480 resolution, managing vibrant colors and sharp images. The four-row QWERTY keyboard is very roomy, with ample-sized keys, excellent tactile feel and a great design.

As a phone, the LG Ally manages good calls, with clear sound and plenty of volume. There was a tinge of hollow quality to the voice, but it can be easily ignored. Those on the other end reported a similar sound. Speakerphone was the same, with even more echo. Battery is rated at 7.5 hours of talk time and this should last most people two days of regular use.

The device has a 600MHz processor, which isn't as powerful as many of the newer Android releases. Surprisingly, it had little negative impact on performance, as the handset showed almost no lag time, even with multiple applications open. It comes with Android 2.1 with no UI overlay. While not as pretty as Motorola and HTC's skinned models, it's good enough.

It comes with the usual Android 2.1 fare, such as robust messaging, Google's suite of apps, Exchange syncing and a few useful mobile tools. EV-DO Rev A. speed was impressive, making for streaming videos with little to no buffering time and quick-loading pages. LG threw in a social networking app called Socialite too, which provides easy access to both Twitter and Facebook.

Music player is the standard Android app, so it's serviceable but nothing special. The 3.2 megapixel camera offers a slew of editing options and manages decent-looking photos. Other features include WiFi, aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, 512MB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion up to 16GB.

Overall, the LG Ally is one of the most likeable Android phones we've seen, with excellent performance, a well-designed keyboard and a very attractive price, being sold for $99.99 on Verizon with a two-year contract.

LG's first Android device just received an announcement today and it will come to the US under Verizon's banner. Called the LG Ally, the handset has quite the poignant selling point - it's a full-fledged Android 2.1 smartphone for only $99.99.

From the sound of things, LG isn't skinning Android the way HTC has done with Sense UI. Instead, the handset will contain the default Android experience, which isn't half bad, considering it's the same interface embraced by the Nexus One. Verizon is throwing in some widgets of their own to complement the onboard Google apps, including a social networking one called Socialite for Ally.

Key details of the LG Ally include a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel camera module (with flash and video recording up to 16GB), aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB). It will support both 3G and WiFi, as well as come with all of Android 2.1's slew of features that include free turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps Navigation.

While a vanilla Android experience doesn't seem all that enticing, given HTC, Sony Ericsson and Motorola's ventures into improving the user interface, the pricing does make the case for the lack of customization. A complete Android 2.1 smartphone (with decent looks, good specs and a full QWERTY keypad to boot) is just a great deal for a single Benjamin, even with a new agreement and a $100 rebate in tow.

Pre-orders for the LG Ally begin tomorrow, with the phones dropping in stores on May 20th.

[via Engadget Mobile]

Simple function and affordable service - that's all some people really want in a cellphone. The LG Lyric from MetroPCS handily fits that bill, complete with a user-friendly design and reliable performance.

Physically, it takes a traditional slider form factor, with a flat but roomy T9-style keypad popping out from the bottom of the handset. The overall design is neat, with clean lines and a slim profile. Construction seems sturdy, as well, with a good feel in hand. The 2-inch screen packs a 320x240 resolution, allowing for sharp display of images and text. It's exceptionally bright and has good colors, too.

As a phone, the LG Lyric makes for satisfying calls. It's not the best sound we've heard on either end, but it's clear enough to facilitate good conversations. Speakerphone calls performed similarly, only adding a slightly loud echo at the highest loudness settings. Battery time is rated at 3.3 hours of talk time, which should work out to around two days under regular use.

The basics are all here - a 1,000-entry phonebook, PIM tools, stereo Bluetooth and the usual messaging (SMS and MMS). Despite the entry-level reputation, it comes with a few slightly advanced features, including a wireless web browser, threaded messaging, IM support (Windows Live and AIM) and aGPS (with MetroNavigator). It also supports ChatLink, MetroPCS' push-to-talk service.

A music player is onboard, with support for MP3 and AAC files. The 2.0 megapixel camera comes with a few editing settings, all while managing to shoot decent images. Shots lack a bit more brightness, but colors appear very natural. You can store media and images on a microSD card up to 16GB.

Overall, the LG Lyric has functional features, good performance and a likable design. With the addition of extras, like PTT, GPS and IM, this is quite an enticing purchase for as low as $114 on MetroPCS ($25 in online rebate) without a contract.

LG just announced two new smartphones for the South Korean market, the LG LU2300 and the LG KU9500. Both handsets carry similar specs, although the former is rocking a sliding QWERTY keyboard (well, whatever the Korean version of that is) and a trackpad, while the latter goes without either.

The most notable feature here should be LG's Scan Search, an augmented reality application that the company has previously talked about in brief. From what we can tell, it will add icons for nearby establishments and services as seen through the onboard camera's viewfinder. Another custom app coming with the phones is the LG Air Sync, which allows sharing of contacts, calendars, mail, photos, music and video wirelessly both with a PC or a web server.

Major details of both the LG LU2300 and LG KU9500 will be similar: 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, 3.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module, aGPS, WiFi, Dolby Mobile sound processing and DMB TV. Since they're running Android, they'll come with the usual set of Google apps, too, including Mail, YouTube and Maps.

The LG LU2300 will have Android 1.6 when it first hits stores in May, with a promised August update to Android 2.1. On the other hand, the LG KU9500 will ship with Android 2.1 by default when it comes to the market in June.

Both phones will be initially available through KT and SK Telecoms in Korea. No word on pricing for either one, nor a release date for other parts of the world.

[via Unwired View]

Similar to the LG Rumor 2 in many ways, the LG Cosmos is the latest messaging phone out of Verizon's roster. It doesn't come with a lot of features, but does its job of making sending messages easy like it's supposed to.

Physically, it's a near-copy of the Rumor 2, packing both a candaybar design with a T9-style keypad and a side-sliding QWERTY keyboard. It's a bit smaller in dimensions, though, and comes in a sleek black finish. Feel is light, but the overall build seems very sturdy.

It rocks a 2-inch LCD with a 320 x 240 resolution. Display is bright and sharp, with the screen real estate proving large enough for its intended purposes. Navigation array and keypads are actually an improvement from the Rumor 2. We love the texture on the keys, although the size will require some getting used to.

As a phone, the Cosmos makes for very good calls, with clear tone, excellent sound and just a hint of occasional harshness. Callers on the other end reported the same quality, although it still wasn't as crystal clear as on a landline. Speakerphone was also good, adding just a hint of echo to the conversations. Battery life is rated at six hours of talk time, making for a good two to three days (maybe even more) of normal use.

Connectivity is strictly GSM/EDGE, but this is neither for media consumption nor browsing anyway. Most of the basics are covered with a 1,000-entry phonebook, PIM tools, stereo Bluetooth and a wireless web browser. It also has a feature called Info Search that lets you find pretty much anything on the phone, aGPS (with Verizon Navigator) and a Bing app.

For messaging, it has both SMS, MMS, IM (AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and Windows Live Messenger) and Mobile Email (web-based mail and personal POP3 accounts only - no support for corporate). There's a facility for sending updates to Facebook, Twitter and MySpace too, although it lacks dedicated apps. There's no music player, but it sports a 1.3 megapixel camera that takes decent photos. MicroSD card slot supports up to 16GB.

Overall, the LG Cosmos is a good entry-level messaging phone with a very useful form factor. Available for $29.99 with a two-year contract, it's priced affordably too.

Like it's predecessor, the LG Wine 2 brings mostly low-end features. It adds a couple of new goodies, but remains a decidedly entry-level model that retains the original's main selling point: ease of use.

Physically, the clamshell phone comes with a glossy plastic finish, paired with a rectangular shape. Overall build is quite sturdy, with a strong hinge and a good feel in hand (thanks to the matte back surface). It comes with two displays - a 1.77-inch panel in front and a 2.4-inch one inside. Both pack full colors, with a bright and vibrant display. Control layout is simple, with the keys being very pleasant to use.

As a phone, the LG Wine 2 makes for good quality calls. There were moments of harshness, but it was mostly clear, with ample volume. Speakerphone worked much the same way, adding just a tad more echo. Battery life is rated at 3.2 hours of talk time, which should be good for around two days for a phone like this.

The handset comes with 3G EV-DO Rev. 0 connectivity, but there's no built-in web browser. You can download it, along with other apps, however, from the EasyEdge store. Speeds are decent, especially for such a low-end phone.

It comes with most of the usual basics otherwise: a 1,000-entry phone book, standard messaging (SMS, MMS) and PIM tools. If you download the email app, you can use mobile email too. Unlike its cousins in the Wine series, it has an onboard music player with support for MP3, AAC and AAC+ formats, along with a radio tuner. It's extremely basic but very usable.

The 2.0 megapixel camera gets some simple editing options, with decent photo quality. As an upgrade from other handsets in the line, it lets you record videos too. Other features include microSD card expansion and stereo Bluetooth.

Overall, the LG Wine 2 gets the basics right. The $49.95 price sounds a little steep for an entry-level phone with a two-year contract, though.

While considered fairly decent messaging phones, the two previous phones released under the LG Rumor moniker were decidedly entry-level affairs. The new LG Rumor Touch charts the series a new course by offering both a QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen display, apart from an improved set of features.

Physically, it doesn't really bring anything exciting to the table: just a rectangular body with slightly curved angles. It feels nice in the hand, with a soft back cover and good weight. Overall construction is decent, with a sturdy-feeling slide mechanism.

It has a 3-inch resistive touchscreen panel, with 200 x 400 resolution. Display is quite vibrant, with rich colors, large text and crisp lines. Touch feedback is average for resistive panels. The QWERTY keyboard, on the other hand, covers a generous five rows and is very spacious, making typing a breeze. The layout isn't the most ideal, but it's quite easy to get used to.

As a phone, the LG Rumor Touch provides impressive call quality. Voices went through clearly on both ends without interruption of any sort. Speakerphone was good too, although we did hear a tinniness in the voices, while those on the other end reported a muffled quality. Battery life is rated for seven hours, which should get you going for at least two days without charge during normal use.

The UI is the first real surprise here. Geared for messaging, it's unlike any touchscreen phone we've seen before. The welcome screen just has the basic information listed with a Home button right around the bottom. Every time you get a new text message, though, a bubble icon appears on the top-right side with a number indicating how many new ones just came in. Tap on that and all your new messages will each appear as one bubble across the once near-empty Welcome screen. It's a nice touch that makes the "messaging phone" billing undeniably accurate. There are many other messaging-centric software features too, such as the excellent Hello UI for contact management.

It gets the basics covered with a 600-entry phonebook, the usual PIM tools and a full messaging suite. You get SMS, MMS, threaded text messaging, IM and mobile email. There are also onboard apps for Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. It comes with sufficiently speedy 3G speeds and a full HTML browser, so viewing websites on the 3-inch screen is quite a positive experience. Released by Sprint, it also supports the carrier's range of streaming services, like Sprint TV and the Sprint Music Store.

The 2.0 megapixel camera has some basic editing options and manages average-looking shots. Other features include aGPS (with Sprint Navigation support), stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).

Overall, the LG Rumor Touch is possibly the first touchscreen messaging phone that makes sense. Even if they did remove the physical QWERTY, it would have still been a terrific offering, if only for the messaging-friendly software LG has designed for the handset. Priced at $79.99 on contract, it's arguably one of the best messaging phones of 2010.