MWC: YouTube, LG launch 3D channel

LG today officially unveiled the LG Optimus 3D smartphone, along with a new dedicated YouTube 3D Channel, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Among other things, the LG Optimus 3D lets users capture and record images and videos in 3D, as well as view 3D content on the phone’s 4.3-inch WVGA display. Anyone can view the YouTube 3D channel.

At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today, LG Electronics officially unveiled the eagerly-awaited LG Optimus 3D smartphone, along with the partnership of a new, dedicated YouTube 3D channel.

This high-performance smartphone, offering the world’s first full 3D experience, introduces a number of ‚first” technologies. It claims the world’s first dual-core, dual-channel and dual-memory architecture, as well as the first 3D platform allowing for recording, viewing and sharing of 3D content directly onto YouTube.

This‚tri-dual” configuration promises significantly improved performance and run-time compared to smartphones offering 1GHz dual-core processors.

Unlike other single-channel, single-memory dual-core smartphones, the LG Optimus 3D offers performance benefits as a result of the simultaneous and fast transfer of data between the dual-core and dual-memory. Users can browse web pages, multitask between programs, play games at a higher frame rate and enjoy movies more smoothly and for longer than before.

‚The 3D world and the new dimension of smartphone is here with the introduction of the LG Optimus 3D,” says Dr. Michelle Potgieter, Marketing Director of LG Electronics South Africa. ‚’South African consumers can expect to be 3D mobile from June this year and we think they’ll be pleased with what this smartphone is able to offer in terms of a full 3D experience.”

Yong-Seok Jang of LG (left) and Francsico Varela of YouTube (right) seal the LG-YouTube partnership

The LG Optimus 3D’s 5MP dual lens camera allows users to capture and record images and videos in 3D. Users can also view 3D content on the phone’s 4.3-inch WVGA display, and get a full 3D experience without the use of glasses. The display provides bright and flicker-free images, allowing users to view 2D (up to 1080p) and 3D (up to 720p) multimedia content. Users can navigate through the device’s 3D interface with the 3D Hot Key. which presents five 3D-dedicated User Interface including Gallery, Camera, Game&Apps, YouTube 3D and 3D Guide.

Captured 3D content is shared via an HDMI 1.4 connection to 3D TVs and monitors and is compatible with DLNA Certified products. Users can upload and stream 3D content and share each other’s creations on YouTube’s dedicated 3D channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/3D). This newly announced partnership with YouTube is part of a broader push into 3D entertainment to provide a 3D mobile experience to users.

‚With the new LG Optimus 3D, anyone anywhere on the globe can film 3D videos, upload them to YouTube and share them with all their friends. We’re excited to see the artistic videos our community captures and shares with this new stylish and innovative mobile technology,” added Dr Potgieter.

The Optimus 3D Smartphone will initially be released with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and will be upgradeable to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). The upgrade schedule will be announced in local markets in due course.

Optimus 3D Smartphone Key Specifications:

l 1GHz Dual-Core Dual-Channel processor (Texas Instruments OMAP4)

l 4.3-inch 3D WVGA screen

l 8GB memory and 4Gb LP DDR2

l 1,500 mAh battery

l 5MP dual-lens camera

l 2D: 1080p MPEG-4/H.264 recording and playback

l 3D: 720p H.264 SEI recording and playback

l HSPA+, DLNA/HDMI 1.4

l H.264, H.263, DivX, MKV, WMV-9, ASF, AVI, 3GP, MP4