LG have launched their new LG-KF510, a designer phone that packs in some pretty top rate features. The features themselves aren't novel - all phones come with MP3 players, digital cameras, and the life these days - but what the LG-KF510 does is to provide high performing versions of such features in an attractive handset.
For example, the digital camera isn't just a 3 megapixel camera; it's a 3 megapixel camera with power flash and 1 second response time, meaning you can actually take decent photos in the gloom, as well as taking photos the second you see something interesting happening.The impressive thing about this is that these features are being presented in a designer phone, which traditionally focuses more on looks and less on the quality of the features it offers. Indeed, most designer phones simply include the features in order to fill out the spec sheet, with no thought on the quality of those features given to the design at all.
The reason for this is the odd way we consumers behave. We want a phone to look good, so we buy a designer phone. But if one of our friend says "oh, but it's only got a 1 megapixel camera", we suddenly don't like it, even if we know we'll never actually use the phone's camera feature. So we look for a phone that looks good and has all the features we a phone needs, irrespective of the quality of those features, as we secretly know we'll never use them!
We're odd beings, we humans!
So traditionally the designer phone rested on the laurels of its good looks, and didn't really bother too much with its features. As such, it's refreshing to see LG break the mould somewhat with the LG-KF510.
The design of the LG-KF510
The first thing to focus on with the LG-KF510 is obviously the design of the thing. It's a slider, with a metal exterior that's painted either Stardust Dark Gray or Sunset Red, with each paintjob featuring a color gradation. The front keys are simple LEDs that are touch sensitive and animated, which works well with the paintjob, giving an overall look of modern simplicity.
The actual keys of the keypad are revealed when the phone is slid back, and here the designer phone doesn't look so designer - in fact, it just looks so so! Rather than the checkerboard or diamond pattern of previous designer phones (such as LG's Chocolate or Shine range), the keypad seem to have come from an old 2001 brick! No matter, they work well, and it's the main front of the phone that most people see anyway.
The features of the LG-KF510
As for the features, well, they seem to work remarkably well. The camera, for example, acts like a camera, taking photos when you want it to, not asking for you to wait while it catches its breath, builds up a head of steam, and then takes the picture. How many times have you taken photos of your friends with a poor camera phone, and had to get them all to sit still for a minute or so while your camera phone gets itself ready to actually take the pic?
If your mates are anything like mine, you'll end up with a a photo album full of blurred gurning goons, all because they were too impatient (or drunk!) to sit still long enough for the camera to take a decent shot. It's nice to see a designer phone that doesn't have this problem.
There's also an MP3 player with playlist feature, but this really isn't that innovative, despite LG's claims.
All, in all then, the LG-KF510 seems like a fine new addition to LG's range of designer phones, and sees the company extending its lead in this area at the expense of Motorola.
As Dr. Skott Ahn, CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, puts it, "2008 is the year for a new paradigm in mobile phone design and LG is setting the benchmark...We have established ourselves as a leader in this field and the LG-KF510 is a unique addition in our mobile portfolio. With its sleek aesthetic and superior technology, it will appeal to many discerning consumers that value both style and substance."
Which just about says it all, really!
The LG-KF510 release date is April 2008, or about two weeks by my reckoning!
For example, the digital camera isn't just a 3 megapixel camera; it's a 3 megapixel camera with power flash and 1 second response time, meaning you can actually take decent photos in the gloom, as well as taking photos the second you see something interesting happening.The impressive thing about this is that these features are being presented in a designer phone, which traditionally focuses more on looks and less on the quality of the features it offers. Indeed, most designer phones simply include the features in order to fill out the spec sheet, with no thought on the quality of those features given to the design at all.
The reason for this is the odd way we consumers behave. We want a phone to look good, so we buy a designer phone. But if one of our friend says "oh, but it's only got a 1 megapixel camera", we suddenly don't like it, even if we know we'll never actually use the phone's camera feature. So we look for a phone that looks good and has all the features we a phone needs, irrespective of the quality of those features, as we secretly know we'll never use them!
We're odd beings, we humans!
So traditionally the designer phone rested on the laurels of its good looks, and didn't really bother too much with its features. As such, it's refreshing to see LG break the mould somewhat with the LG-KF510.
The design of the LG-KF510
The first thing to focus on with the LG-KF510 is obviously the design of the thing. It's a slider, with a metal exterior that's painted either Stardust Dark Gray or Sunset Red, with each paintjob featuring a color gradation. The front keys are simple LEDs that are touch sensitive and animated, which works well with the paintjob, giving an overall look of modern simplicity.
The actual keys of the keypad are revealed when the phone is slid back, and here the designer phone doesn't look so designer - in fact, it just looks so so! Rather than the checkerboard or diamond pattern of previous designer phones (such as LG's Chocolate or Shine range), the keypad seem to have come from an old 2001 brick! No matter, they work well, and it's the main front of the phone that most people see anyway.
The features of the LG-KF510
As for the features, well, they seem to work remarkably well. The camera, for example, acts like a camera, taking photos when you want it to, not asking for you to wait while it catches its breath, builds up a head of steam, and then takes the picture. How many times have you taken photos of your friends with a poor camera phone, and had to get them all to sit still for a minute or so while your camera phone gets itself ready to actually take the pic?
If your mates are anything like mine, you'll end up with a a photo album full of blurred gurning goons, all because they were too impatient (or drunk!) to sit still long enough for the camera to take a decent shot. It's nice to see a designer phone that doesn't have this problem.
There's also an MP3 player with playlist feature, but this really isn't that innovative, despite LG's claims.
All, in all then, the LG-KF510 seems like a fine new addition to LG's range of designer phones, and sees the company extending its lead in this area at the expense of Motorola.
As Dr. Skott Ahn, CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, puts it, "2008 is the year for a new paradigm in mobile phone design and LG is setting the benchmark...We have established ourselves as a leader in this field and the LG-KF510 is a unique addition in our mobile portfolio. With its sleek aesthetic and superior technology, it will appeal to many discerning consumers that value both style and substance."
Which just about says it all, really!
The LG-KF510 release date is April 2008, or about two weeks by my reckoning!
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