The Thrill 4G is the second Android smartphone in the United States capable of recording and displaying 3D video and photos without the need for special glasses. We first saw the phone during CTIA earlier this year and, after delays, it will launch soon on AT&T for $99.99. I spent the better part of the last three weeks carrying the LG Thrill 4G everywhere I went. Are the 3D effects useful and fun or are they just a lame gimmick? Does the “4G” in its name equate to faster data speeds or does it surf on a par with 3G phones? All of this and more is answered in my review, so hit the read link to get started.

Hardware

The LG Thrill 4G is identical to its European cousin, the LG Optimus 3D, in nearly every way. It’s equipped with a 4.3-inch 800 x 480-pixel screen that’s capable of displaying both 2D and 3D content on the fly. Measuring in at 5in x 2.7in x 0.47in and with a weight of 5.9oz, the Thrill 4G is a bit bulkier than other high-end smartphones on AT&T, such as the Infuse 4G, but it’s not terrible.

Despite its plastic back cover, the Thrill 4G feels very study just like its LTE counterpart, the LG Revolution. The front of the phone has black faux-brushed metal accents around the screen and AT&T ditched the matte gray back on the Optimus 3D for a more attractive matte black design with a faint cross-hatch etching. The back of the Thrill 4G is also home to two camera lenses capable of recording 3D content, and a single LED flash. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top of the Thrill 4G and microUSB and mini-HDMI hatches on the left side of the device. A single button on the right side of the phone can be pressed to quickly enter the phone’s “3D Space” application, and I wish it was a camera quick-launch button instead. AT&T also included an HDMI to mini-HDMI cable, which means you’ll be able to connect the phone up to your TV right out of the box.

The Thrill 4G is a nice package overall but I noticed two yellow splotches towards the bottom of the screen. The discoloration was most noticeable while accessing the web, since most websites have a white background. The defect is too subtle to see in the various images in this review, but it’s there. At first I assumed this was just a one-time flaw with my unit, but I noticed the same problem on my European Optimus 3D and confirmed the discoloration with another journalist, too. Perhaps the screen is responsible for AT&T’s delayed launch of the phone, although that is not confirmed. (Update: A second device from AT&T didn’t have this issue so it was clearly limited to my phone or at least an early batch.)

Software

The LG Thrill 4G runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) out of the box but AT&T has promised an Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) update is on the way. Android ran smoothly and I rarely saw any lag thanks to the phone’s dual-core 1GHz processor. LG overlays Android with its own lackluster and ugly user interface. There aren’t any worthwhile widgets aside from a decent third-party weather app, and the icons that infiltrate the status bar and the main menu are too colorful and toy-like for my tastes. The entire UI reminds me of LG’s experience on feature phones, which was never a good thing. Thankfully there are free applications such as LauncherPro that can rid your phone of the ugly icon and UI problem, but I wish LG had left this a “pure Google” experience as it did with the T-Mobile G2x. LG also added several 3D-specific applications and I’ll go over them in the following section.

3D

3D. Whenever I hear the term I immediately think I’m being sucked into a gimmick no better than a holographic trading card. I won’t even go to a 3D movie. You may remember my impressions on 3D when I reviewed the Nintendo 3DS; the display wasn’t impressive and it took away from the gaming experience in a number of titles.

The Optimus Thrill 4G definitely has a superior screen compared to the 3DS though, and since 3D is optional for the most part I, oddly enough, enjoy using it. LG included a full 3D menu that allows you to quickly browse 3D YouTube videos, 3D pictures and videos in your gallery, and fast access to 3D games.There are a couple of decent games that definitely suck you into the 3D experience. I liked playing Let’s Golf 2 in three dimensions and Fragging in Nova was also decent fun, but it wasn’t much better than playing in 2D. Additionally, there aren’t a lot of games pre-loaded, so you’ll need to buy more to keep the experience going. While there’s a YouTube application with dedicated access to 3D videos, I spent most of my time showing off the pre-loaded videos to friends and strangers in bars. The response was nearly always “that’s cool, but who cares?” And that’s the problem: who cares? 3D is somewhat exciting and it works, but at the end of the day it’s totally unnecessary.

Camera

The Thrill 4G’s camera is capable of shooting in both 2D and 3D modes. In 2D mode you can capture 5-megapixel photos and record video in 1080p HD. The stereoscopic 3D cameras are also capable of snapping 3-megapixel 3D images and recording 720p HD video in 3D. Videos came out well. In fact, here’s a video of a Jane’s Addiction concert on YouTube that was filmed entirely in 720p 3D video with a number of LG Thrill units, if you want a better sample of the camera’s quality.

The tricky part with the camera is that if you aren’t in the right light or aren’t careful enough when snapping a photo, there’s actually an overlap of two images and it looks like a blurry 3D mess. When I was careful to steady the phone and snap a photo of an object in a well lit area, the photos came out pretty well. If I held the phone in a darker area, to avoid any glare, the images didn’t appear to pop off of the screen. A shot of chips, salsa, and plates on a coffee table came out really well, as did a picture of a coffee mug on a bookshelf. Other shots, such as those taken down my street, weren’t as impressive. You’ll need to really get up close to your subject in order for it to appear to pop off of the screen. Otherwise the image looks like it has a lot of depth but it doesn’t pop off of the screen.

Another cool feature: you can take shots in 2D and then view them in 3D, although the effects are much better if you take the pictures in 3D originally. Worse, 2D pictures were often on the blurry and washed-out side (see above). Overall, I liked snapping photos better than recording video; the results came out better. Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to a 3D TV to see my home videos blown up.

Call Quality and Data

Call quality on the Thrill 4G was good during my tests. I used the phone daily for a solid two weeks to place a number of phone calls and didn’t have any complaints. I was able to hear the callers on the other end loud and clear and they said I sounded “crisp.” I dropped a couple of conversations but that’s par for the course on AT&T in New York City. One issue I did notice: the signal strength indicator would frequently jump around between two and four bars. The icon doesn’t always reflect the actual signal strength, but there could be issues with the phone’s ability to maintain a solid signal.

As its name implies, the LG Thrill 4G runs on AT&T’s HSPA+ “4G” network. I ran a number of tests with the Speedtest.net application in my apartment, where I usually run my tests, and rarely saw the phone peak over 1Mbps while running a download test. Instead, I averaged about 750Kbps, which is slower than I’ve seen with a number of 3G phones. The phone’s upload speeds were solid, however: I averaged 1.6Mbps in my upload throughput tests.

Battery

I was able to get through a full day with the Thrill 4G without a problem using the phone moderately. Obviously your mileage will vary if you’re spending more time using the 3D display or streaming video, but generally the battery was on a par with the Infuse 4G on AT&T, which is one of the longer lasting Android devices out there.

Conclusion

I like the Thrill 4G because LG tried to differentiate itself with a device that could display and record 3D content. It’s a fun concept and works in practice, but it’s hard to recommend a phone simply because it offers 3D as an option. The third dimension, as it stands in mobile, is purely for entertainment purposes, and the problem is the phone has so many other faults.

The Thrill 4G has a solid build, despite its plastic accents, but it’s far bulkier and heavier than many of its competitors. Call quality was satisfactory, but I had issues with its download speeds in New York City.

Overall, the LG Thrill 4G is just a mediocre device. You might be better served picking up a Motorola ATRIX 4G for the same $99.99 price, as it still packs a mean hardware punch. If it’s power your after though, my advice is to stick around and see how Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S II handset for AT&T turns out.

During the Computex trade show in Taipei on Monday, ViewSonic officially took the wraps off of its ViewPad 7x Android tablet. We had heard mumblings of the device earlier this month, but now we know all of the ins and outs of the tablet: it runs Android 3.0.1 Honeycomb, is powered by a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, has HSPA+ connectivity, an HDMI-out port, rear and front facing cameras, and a 7-inch LED display with a 1024 x 600 resolution. We hope ViewSonic has plans to update the 7x to Google’s newer Android 3.1 operating system once it launches, but it’s not clear if that’s in the works right now. ViewSonic has not yet announced details on pricing or revealed a launch date, either. Hit the jump for the full release.

ViewSonic promises to shine at Computex
Experience the latest innovation in tablets, smartphones, monitors and projectors

Computex, Taipei, 31 May 2011 – ViewSonic, a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, is set to surprise at Computex Taipei 2011 with its strongest-ever audio and visual solutions. It will be showcasing a wide range of high-definition entertainment offerings and the latest innovations. Products released last year have won rave reviews in the industry; this year promises more of the same. Products span from tablet PCs, high-performance smartphones, latest 3D Full HD LED monitors, to projectors, digital photo frames and digital camcorders.

ViewSonic will be located at Booth L0832, 4th floor, Nangang Exhibition Hall from 31 May to 4 June and is inviting everyone to ‘See the difference’.

The ViewPad 7x will be making its first official appearance. The ViewPad 7x is a seven-inch HoneyComb tablet that utilises a NVIDIA dual-core processor and promises users HSPA+ for greater Internet browsing and a enhanced multimedia experience.

The ViewPad 10Pro is the world’s first dual-OS tablet that has both Windows 7 Professional and Android at your service. It is also one of the first tablets to use the latest Intel Oak Trail processor. The new Intel processor is powerful, yet offers amazing power savings which delivers the perfect combination of Windows technology in a mobile touch screen device.

In addition to tablet PCs, ViewSonic is also announcing advanced AV solutions that include the V3D245wm-LED, a 24-inch 3D Full HD LED monitor; the W200, an ultra-thin and lightweight WXGA pico projector; the WFM851, a slim and sleek digital photo frame; as well as a range of HD digital camcorders.

Alan Chang, ViewSonic Managing Director of Europe and Asia-Pacific, said: “ViewSonic is the industry leader in launching a comprehensive range of tablet models. With cloud computing, social networking and streaming multimedia driving demand more than ever, ViewSonic is well positioned as a ‘display solution provider’ that integrates all its products and services into the best possible user experience. We have continued to invest in our strategic partnerships with Microsoft and Google. At Computex, you will see that ViewSonic is not content with standing still and are continuing to innovate with ‘display solutions’, ranging from small as three inch ultra mobile devices to large 300 inch professional display solutions, all brought to the user with the ViewSonic attention to quality and service.”

ViewPad 7x – the 7-inch HoneyComb tablet: Uses a dual-core NVIDIA processor and offers the fastest-ever HSPA+ for a greater Internet browsing experience compared to rivalling products in the same category. Weighing only 380g, with front and back cameras this powerful device provides video conferencing on the go that has to be seen to be believed. The high quality LED display is capacitive 10-point multi-touch, offering far more possibilities than standard screen offerings. Incorporating a HDMI port , DLNA support and SRW TruMedia the ViewPad 7x is a flexible multimedia device that delivers quality in a high quality package.

ViewPad 10Pro – the world’s first dual-OS tablet that uses Windows 7 Professional and Android, and the first to use the latest Intel Oak Trail processor: This tablet, powerful in both hardware and software, is ideal for users who wish to have a combination of entertainment and professional needs. It allows for an instantaneous switch between the two OSes without turning off the tablet – Android for simple tasks such as Web browsing and Windows 7 for business applications.

The V3D245wm-LED – An industry first, a 24″ smart monitor with a built-in 3D emitter: Presenting 20,000,000:1 maximum contrast ratio for great colour accuracy and high level of picture details the monitor features an ultrafast 2ms response time, 16:9 widescreen, Full HD 1080P, and scanning rate at 120Hz. The V3D245 supports the latest HDMI 1.4 input for future proofing realistic 3D content and fully supports current mainstream 3D devices. With the built-in SRS Premium Sound, the V3D245 is the ultimate 3D monitor.

The PLED-W200 – the world’s first WXGA pico projector: pocket-sized projector ideal for slipping into a laptop bag or purse for taking presentations and entertainment on the go. At 200 lumens, with a 2000:1 contrast ratio and display resolution of 1200×800 WXGA, the PLED-W200 packs the world’s highest lumen and resolution counts into a CD player-sized device. It weighs only 420g and boasts long-lasting LED light technology of up to 20,000 hours. Teamed with integrated 10w speakers and a SD/USB card reader, users can present and enjoy everything from image slideshows to presentations in a PC-free environment.

The VFM851 – ultra-thin digital photo frame: amazing design combined with high picture quality. Able to be battery powered offering a cordless experience it has 800×600 screen resolution, supports formats such as MJPEG, MPEG2, MPEG-4 and comes with USB ports (for SD/SDHC/MMC).

The ViewSonic HD camcorder series: The new ViewSonic Camcorder HD series provide a lot of advanced features normally found in professional camcorders but at a fraction of the price. With a 10MP image sensor and 12X optical zoom, these HD camcorders capture great detail even at 200 feet away. And with a 60fps high-definition video available, the ViewCam HD series is perfect for sports and other action shots. The camcorder’s innovative advanced Manual Focus System lets you select what subject to focus on by simply tapping on the touch screen, ensuring what you want to be focused on is captured in detail.

9to5Mac is reporting that the next iPhone, the iPhone 4S as it’s being referred to, will feature the LED flash for the camera on the opposite side of the case. There have been reports from a small group of individuals experiencing camera problems due to the iPhone’s built-in flash, and this looks like a way to solve the issue. Take a look for yourselves at supposed leaked parts from the upcoming iPhone 4S above. For more information on the iPhone 4S, make sure to check out our exclusive photos of the iPhone 4S coming to T-Mobile. 

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On Monday HP announced that it has updated its EliteBook, ENVY, Mini, Pavilion, and ProBook notebook families with some more robust models. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new:

• HP’s ProBook 5330m, designed for business users, is less than an inch thick, weighs 3.9 pounds, and has a 13.3-inch screen. It’s powered by Intel’s Core i5 and Core i3 processors and comes with a fingerprint reader and other security options. It will debut on May 9th for $799.
• The ultraportable EliteBook 2560p can be equipped with either an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor, has a 7,200rpm hard drive (or SSD), and sports a 12.5-inch LED-backlit HD display. Its brother, the EliteBook 2760p has a smaller 12.1-inch display and doubles as a tablet. The EliteBook 2560p will launch on May 23rd for $1,099 and the 2760p will hit the market on May 9th for $1,499.
• HP’s updated Mini 210 netbook has been revamped with a more modern aesthetic, weighs under 3 pounds, is less than 1-inch thick, and offers up to 9.5 hours of battery life. HP also added Beats Audio for improved music playback. The Mini 210 will launch in purple, charcoal, red, rose, and blue on June 15th starting at $299.99.
• HP’s Pavilion dv4 notebook has been updated to include CoolSense technology, which adjusts PC cooling on the fly to prevent overheating. It weighs under 5 pounds, has a 14-inch HD LED BrightView display, and will be available in espresso black and blue when it launches for $599 on May 18th.
• HP dropped Intel’s second-generation Core processors into the HP ENVY 14, and also added USB 3.0, a new “HP imagepad” for gesture support, and a precision-etched metal alloy-case. The ENVY 14 sports a 14.5-inch HD BrightView infinity LED display, Beats Audio, and more. It will launch on June 15th for $999.99.

Hit the jump for the full release from HP.

HP Brings Style, Performance and Portability to Notebook PCs

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 9, 2011

HP today expanded its notebook PC line with products and services that provide an optimal combination of sleek style, ultra-portability and high performance to deliver an outstanding mobile experience.

The company also launched HP DataPass,⁽¹⁾ a pre-paid 3G mobile broadband service available in the United States across HP’s business notebook lineup, and expanded HP Beats™ Audio technology to a business notebook and consumer Mini PC.

HP furthered its “FORGE” business notebook design framework with the HP ProBook m-series and HP EliteBook p-series models and built upon its “MUSE” consumer notebook design philosophy with the HP Mini 210, HP Pavilion dv4 and HP ENVY 14.

New products and services include:

• Less than 1-inch thin, the HP ProBook 5330m features a dual-tone color scheme, brushed aluminum chassis and backlit keyboard and is HP’s first business notebook to offer Beats Audio, which allows listeners to hear music the way the artist intended.
• HP’s smallest and lightest EliteBook at only 3.68 pounds,⁽²⁾ the newly designed HP EliteBook 2560p includes a 12.5-inch diagonal high-definition (HD) display⁽³⁾ and high-performance Intel® processor and is the only notebook in the industry with an integrated optical drive in this form factor.
• The redesigned HP Mini 210 sports vibrant new colors, HP Beats Audio and HP QuickWeb 3.0,⁽⁴⁾ creating an ideal mobile companion for on-the-go consumers.
• HP DataPass⁽¹⁾ is a pre-paid 3G mobile broadband service that allows users to purchase wireless broadband data using major mobile carriers in the United States without being tied down by contracts, hotspots and set-up fees.

HP ProBook 5330m – thin, stylish and affordable

Designed for savvy business professionals who value style, performance and affordability, the HP ProBook 5330m measures less than 1-inch thick, weighs 3.9 pound⁽²⁾ and sports a 13.3-inch diagonal HD screen⁽³⁾ for exceptional portability. It also includes a backlit keyboard, making it easier to type in low-light environments

The new ProBook is powered by the latest second-generation Intel Core™ i5 and i3 dual-core processors⁽⁵⁾ and includes the HP Fingerprint Sensor and TPM for enhanced hardware-based data security. Optional Intel vPro technology⁽⁶⁾ helps deliver cost savings and improves security and remote manageability.

HP EliteBook 2560p and 2760p – light, powerful and travel-ready

Available in a stylish platinum color, the ultraportable HP EliteBook 2560p Notebook PC and EliteBook 2760p Tablet PCs blend modern design and precision engineering.

The HP EliteBook 2560p sports a thin, clamshell design with a lightweight 12.5-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD,⁽³⁾ 16-inch x 9-inch display, and an integrated optical drive for added on-the-go convenience. Offering the same functionality as a conventional business notebook along with the flexibility of a writing tablet, the 12.1-inch diagonal HP EliteBook 2760p allows for pen use or finger touch.

Both EliteBook models offer second-generation Intel Core i7 or i5 dual-core processors,⁽⁵⁾ Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0⁽⁷⁾ and vPro technology.⁽⁶⁾ They also feature full-size 7,200 RPM hard disk drives⁽⁸⁾ and solid-state drives (SSDs) for longer battery run time, increased durability and quieter, cooler operation.

HP Mini 210 – stylish, on-the-go computing

With the addition of Beats Audio, the redesigned HP Mini 210 is the ultimate companion PC, offering high-quality entertainment plus productivity while on the go. Weighing under 3 pounds⁽²⁾ and measuring less than 1-inch thin, the stylish HP Mini 210 delivers up to 9.5 hours of computing.⁽⁹⁾

The new Mini 210 design provides a modern, streamlined aesthetic with a sleek upswept back and is available in five colors – sweet purple, charcoal, crimson red, luminous rose and ocean drive.

The Mini 210 also features HP QuickWeb 3.0,⁽⁴⁾ allowing users to be more productive by connecting to the web within seconds of powering the mini. QuickWeb 3.0 includes a customizable widget dashboard and syncs to Windows® bookmarks. Users can chat with friends on Skype, update Facebook posts or tweets, and view their social calendars all in one place.⁽¹⁾

Innovative technologies for enhanced consumer experiences

The sleek, full-performance HP Pavilion dv4 features improved HP CoolSense technology that includes a simplified user interface of on, off and auto. CoolSense uses advanced hardware and intelligent software for a notebook that feels noticeably cooler. Weighing under 5 pounds,⁽²⁾ the dv4 boasts a 14-inch diagonal HD LED BrightView screen⁽³⁾ and comes in two HP Imprint colors – espresso black and pacific blue.

Also featuring HP CoolSense technology is the award-winning HP ENVY 14 notebook PC. Combining power, mobility and aesthetics, the ENVY 14 includes new second-generation Intel Core processors, USB 3.0 and a new HP imagepad that uses image sensor technology for advanced gesture support and more fluid control. The premium machine boasts a precision-etched metal alloy case with a 14.5-inch diagonal, HD BrightView Infinity LED display⁽³⁾ for an eye-popping viewing experience and Beats Audio for fuller, more detailed sound.

Protecting personal information and simplifying password management is easy with HP SimplePass with One Time Password, now available on the HP Pavilion dm4, dv6 metal and dv7 metal notebook PCs. HP SimplePass helps prevent phishing fraud by providing unique “one-time” passwords that are linked to each individual user’s fingerprint. These one-time passwords, generated every 60 seconds, grant more secure access to websites that store financial information.⁽¹⁾

Docking and display solutions for a customized workspace

The new HP 2560p Docking Station makes it easy for business professionals to maintain the connectivity and comfort of their notebook while working from a fixed station. The docking station offers four USB ports and eSATA, DisplayPort and VGA ports for added connectivity to peripherals and compatibility with an array of video devices.

HP’s slimmest business display to date, the HP Elite L2201x display easily connects to a notebook with a single DisplayPort connector. Its sleek easel stand design and external power supply free up limited desk space in smaller office cubicles and the brushed-metal finish matches HP’s EliteBook business notebooks. The HP Elite L2201x features a wafer-thin display panel measuring less than 0.4 inches thick and a 21.5-inch diagonal, LED backlit panel that eliminates the use of mercury and provides solid-state reliability.

Pricing and availability⁽¹⁰⁾

All products will be available in the United States.

• The HP ProBook 5330m starts at $799; the HP EliteBook 2560p starts at $1,099; and the HP EliteBook 2760p starts at $1,499. The HP EliteBook 2760p and 5330m are expected to be available on May 9 and the HP EliteBook 2560p is expected to be available on May 23.
• The HP Mini 210 starts at $299.99 and is expected to be available on June 15.
• The HP Pavilion dv4 starts at $599.99 and is expected to be available on May 18.
• The HP ENVY 14 starts at $999.99 and is expected to be available on June 15.
• HP DataPass pricing starts at $5, for 75 megabytes for a duration of 5 hours.
• The HP 2560p Docking Station starts at $149 and is expected to be available on May 23.
• The HP Elite L2201x starts at $249 and is expected to be available on June 1.

More information about the products, including product specifications and images, is available at www.hp.com/personal.

It’s been rumored that Apple has been spending billions in cash on a strategic displays investment, but other manufacturers and component suppliers aren’t standing still, either. Hitatchi Displays has just announced that they have a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display lined up for production in October. The new display’s resolution? 1280 x 720 which, in a 4.5-inch screen, equals a whopping 329dpi density. It’s LED backlit and features a 1,100:1 contrast ratio. Oh. boy.

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LG announced Monday that it will unveil the world’s largest 3D LED television at the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas. Or, to be more specific, LG’s LZ9700 is “the world’s largest FULL LED-backlight LCD 3D TV (FULL LED 3D TV).” Packing a mammoth display measuring 72 inches diagonally, the LZ9700 is a 400Hz HDTV capable of delivering “life-sized action” in 2D and 3D alike. Other notable specifications include DLNA support, Micro Pixel Control and support for LG’s Magic Motion Remote Control. “The LZ9700 combines the ultimate in LG’s picture quality with our latest developments in 3D TV,” said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company, in a statement. “With the LZ9700, LG is poised to take the lead in the TV market with the world’s largest FULL LED screen that delivers a truly outstanding TV viewing experience.” The LG LZ 9700 will launch in early 2011, though pricing and a specific release date are not yet available. Hit the break for LG’s full press release.

LG to introduce world’s largest full LED 3D TV at CES 2011

LZ9700 Offers Rich, Life-Sized Images for a More Immersive Viewing Experience

SEOUL, Dec. 27, 2010 — LG Electronics (LG) will unveil the 72-inch LZ9700, the world’s largest FULL LED-backlight LCD 3D TV (FULL LED 3D TV) at CES 2011 in Las Vegas. The LZ9700 gives viewers life-sized action with a beautifully crisp picture in both 2D and 3D

Fitted with LG’s innovative FULL LED technology, the LZ9700 is illuminated by a full panel of LEDs directly behind the screen, producing pictures as colorful as paintings in an art gallery. The extra spacious FULL LED screen size also makes the picture more expansive than ever, enabling viewers to experience superb picture quality with detailed images as big as, or larger than, real life

Further enhancing the experience, the LZ9700 offers extraordinarily comfortable 3D viewing. Combining the world’s largest FULL LED screen, the LZ9700’s 3D takes on added depth and draws viewers even further into its immersive viewing experience. In addition, TruMotion 400Hz delivers a super-fast processing rate for exceptionally smooth 3D images.

“The LZ9700 combines the ultimate in LG’s picture quality with our latest developments in 3D TV,” said Mr. Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. “With the LZ9700, LG is poised to take the lead in the TV market with the world’s largest FULL LED screen that delivers a truly outstanding TV viewing experience.”

This state-of-the-art TV is also fitted with LG’s Smart TV functions. Via a strikingly simple Home Dashboard, this Smart TV delivers premium content from global providers as well as the best locally sourced shows and movies. It also provides access to LG’s growing collection of TV apps, which offer everything from language classes to games. And thanks to LG’s intuitive and easy-to-use Magic Motion Remote Control, the LZ9700’s numerous functions are extremely simple to find and operate.

The LZ9700 will be available to customers early 2011; additional details to follow in local markets.

Main Features:

• FULL LED-backlight LCD 3D TV
• 72-inch class
• TruMotion 400Hz
• Micro Pixel Control (Local Dimming)
• Smart TV
• Magic Motion Remote Control
• Smart Share (DLNA, Media Link, USB, etc.)

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Ah, Nintendo’s Virtual Boy. What seemed like a push forward in the gaming world at first glace unfortunately never really took off. The Virtual Boy used a pair of monochromatic linear arrays and an oscillating mirror that would vibrate back and forth to create the entire image which would then be seen in 3D. It was easily the most wanted Christmas gift in my book, and when I finally got one, it unfortunately only held my interest for around 2 days. If a gaming system can’t keep a 8 year old engaged, you probably have a serious issue, and Nintendo did. The system was discontinued only 5 months after it’s July 21st, 1995 launch with only 22 games available for sale. It retailed for $180. Who could forget that controller, though?

BGR Throwback Thursday is a weekly series covering our (and your) favorite gadgets, games, and software of yesterday and yesteryear.

We had a chance to get up close and personal with Sony’s latest TV set and sister Blu-ray player. Here are our first thoughts:

• We haven’t seen Logitech’s Revue Google TV device in person, but the Sony experience looks similar to it. Sony told us that the only Sony customization was a recommended channel area, so for you purists out there, it looks like this is a really clean Google offering.
• We caught some lag when hopping menu to menu and typing when using the remote sometimes took a second or two to catch up but all in all, the Intel Atom-powered TV seemed pretty zippy.
• Speaking of the remote, we’re completely torn about it. Andrew loves it, but I couldn’t care much for it. The size is definitely intriguing as it is way smaller in person than we expected it to be. Also, the feel is right — pretty light without feeling inexpensively cheap. However, the myriad of buttons sort of confuses us, especially when a bunch of them don’t serve a purpose 90% of the time in what we’d imagine would be your daily use. I’ll use my Android handset to control my Google TV device as opposed to a manufacturer remote, you can believe that. Last thing about the remote… no backlight! So sad.
• The picture in picture capability is practically the selling point here… if you’re a multitasker, you’re going to love with PIP on. It’s pretty amazing that you can have that picture window of the current TV show or recording you’re watching open on the screen and at the same time browse a website, check something on Google Maps, search for a program to record, and more.
• The range in sizes and price is pretty spectacular. At a cost of $1,399 for the 46″ edge-lit LED model is practically a steal — and the time to market is also delicious as the sets and Blu-ray player will be available this weekend.

All in all, this wasn’t something we didn’t expect, yet we’re incredibly excited for Sony to pioneer this new category of TV entertainment. Let’s see if they can knock it out of the park…

Click on over to our Sony Internet TV with Google TV gallery!

What do we have here? It looks like the Galaxy S branded Samsung Continuum; a device with not one, but two displays. Engadget was sent in several images of the device whose most notable feature is an additional, smaller display below the standard Android soft-keys. The secondary display, which is being called the “ticker,” displays date, time, RSS feed, weather, and other pertinent information.  The ticker activates itself automatically when you grip the lower half of the Continuum. Pretty slick. The device is reported to have a side-mounted micro-SD card slot and dedicated camera button as well. We can see why Verizon started running the buy-one get-one promotion on the Fascinate just weeks after launch.

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According to an iLounge source, the upcoming fourth generation iPod touch will be changing shapes once again. If true, it is said to be more flat than curved, with a flat surface and curved edges; much like the top of your MacBook Pro. Additionally, the back is rumored to not be modeled after the iPhone 4′s all glass surface; so we’re guessing stainless steel or aluminum. There is that much-awaited rear camera, though what’s not clear at this point is a LED flash next to it or a second microphone for audio capture while shooting video. Lastly, that tiny, tiny Apple-branded touch screen display we saw? Well, according to iLounge, it is indeed a new iPod nano, and won’t have anything to do with an iPod shuffle. September 1st is close enough, friends.

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It looks like images of the fourth generation iPod Touch have been spotted on the internet, thanks in part to an accessories manufacturer. Hardmac.com has images of what looks to be a new iPT complete with an updated camera and LED flash. While the front of the device looks the same, and is in all likelihood Photoshoped, the back of the device is beveled like the current iPod Touch and has the camera/flash located in the upper left hand corner of the device (like the iPhone). The black plastic patch through which the Wi-Fi antenna signal used to escape is also absent (insert attenuation joke here). Doesn’t seem consistent with apples unibody, flat-top-and-bottom, non-rounded edges look they’ve been gravitating towards… but it doesn’t look too far out there. Have a look at the images and let us know what you think.

[Via SlashGear]

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Along with updated iMacs and Mac Pros — not to mention a new Magic Trackpad — Apple announced that it will be updating its Cinema Display to a full 27-inches (the current model is 24-inches). The new screen is LED powered and boasts a built-in iSight camera, microphone, speakers, USB 2.0 hub, and MagSafe connector for Apple laptops. The screens resolution will be 2560 x 1440 and (obviously) in the 16:9 aspect ratio. The display meets Energy Star 5.0 specifications, will be priced at $999, and will be available in “September.” We’ve got the full press release after the bounce.

Apple Unveils New 27-inch LED Cinema Display

CUPERTINO, California-July 27, 2010-Apple® today unveiled a new 27-inch LED Cinema Display with stunning 2560 x 1440 resolution and 60 percent more screen real estate than the 24-inch LED Cinema Display. Featuring a built-in iSight® video camera, microphone and speakers, powered USB 2.0 hub, and universal MagSafe® connector, the new LED Cinema Display is an ideal companion for the MacBook® family or a Mac® desktop, and is available for $999.

“With built-in MagSafe charging, iSight camera, speakers, and USB ports, the LED Cinema Display is ideal for MacBook and MacBook Pro users,”said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With its massive 2560 x 1440 resolution, the new 27-inch LED Cinema Display is a perfect fit with our powerful new Mac Pro, and it gives iMac users an easy way to double their screen real estate.”

The new, larger 27-inch LED Cinema Display features a beautiful 16:9 edge-to-edge glass display on an aluminum stand with an adjustable hinge that makes tilting the display almost effortless. The LED Cinema Display has vivid colors and exceptionally high contrast and uses a premium display technology called in-plane switching (IPS) to provide a brilliant image across an ultra wide 178 degree viewing angle.

Designed as a companion for any Mac notebook or desktop, the 27-inch display includes a built-in iSight video camera for video conferencing, an integrated MagSafe charger to keep Mac notebooks charged, built-in Mini DisplayPort connectivity for video and audio input and a powered three-port USB 2.0 hub so customers can charge their iPhone® or iPod® even when they take their MacBook with them.

The new LED Cinema Display now includes a new ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the display brightness based on external lighting conditions and uses only as much energy as necessary to provide an optimum viewing experience. Made with mercury-free LED technology, arsenic-free glass and highly recyclable materials, the LED Cinema Display meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status.* The new display contains no brominated flame retardants and all cables and components are PVC-free.

Pricing & Availability
The new LED Cinema Display will be available in September through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999 (US). The LED Cinema Display requires a Mac with Mini DisplayPort.

*EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.

“Now stop me if you’ve seen this.” And so Steve Jobs announced the iPhone 4. Featuring stainless steel banding around the sides and a glass front, the iPhone 4′s “closest kin is a beautiful old camera.” It’s 24% thinner than the iPhone 3GS at 9.3mm thick, which Apple claims makes it the smallest smartphone on the planet or “a quarter thinner than something you didn’t think could get any thinner.”  The three stainless steel bands surrounding the device that look very un-Apple actually serve two purposes: they add to the structural integrity of the device and double as antenna boosters. Smart.

The iPhone 4 has a 3.5″ display that has 78% the pixels of the iPad. With a resolution of 960×640 — or 4x the resolution of the first three iPhones — the iPhone 4 has four pixels where the other devices only had space for one for a total of 326 pixels per inch. Apple calls this “Retina Display” technology and says it translates to images and text so incredibly sharp that you’ll feel like you’re looking at a “finely printed book” instead of a mobile display. The display technology also means that apps will not have to be rescaled, so everything currently in the App Store will The display also has a 800:1 contrast ratio.

Moving on the the processor. Yes, indeedy, the iPhone 4 is powered by an Apple-designed A4 SoC. Apart from providing raw power, the A4 also sips juice from the battery as opposed to gulping it. This means the iPhone 4 is good for 7 hours of 3G talktime, 6 hours of browsing over 3G, 10 hours of browsing over Wi-Fi, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music and 300 hours of standby. As expected, 802.11n Wi-Fi is included as is a quad-band HSDPA radio capable of 7.2Mbps down and 5.8Mbps up. The iPhone 4 also introduces a dual-mic system for noise cancellation and a gyroscope which combined with the accelerometer allow for 6-axis motion sensing.

The iPhone 4′s main camera weighs in at 5 megapixels. What makes it special, according to Apple, is its backside illuminated sensor. This allows more photons to bombard the sensor resulting in better low-light photos. A sole LED flash straddles the camera sensor. Digital zoom tops out at 5x, while video capture has been stepped up to shoot 720p at 30fps. The LED flash is fully functional when capturing videos.

Not included with iPhone 4 but to be available in the App Store for $4.99 is iMovie. iMovie for the iPhone is pretty much what you’d expect — that is if you were expecting a feature-rich mobile movie editing application that’s capable of manhandling 720p videos. You can rearrange clips by dragging them about; add in photos, transitions, titles, and music; and use geolocation so you’ll have no excuses for forgetting exactly where you were when you shot the film.

And then there’s the front-facing camera. It runs the open application FaceTime. Apple is currently working with wireless providers to bring forth bonafide 3G video calls, but as far as 2010 is concerned you’re stuck with Wi-Fi. If for some reason you don’t want the person you’re calling to see your mug — or perhaps you just want them to see what you’re looking at — you can switch from the front-facing camera to the 5MP camera on the back.

So when can you get the iPhone 4? If you live in the US, UK, Germany, France or Japan you’ll be able to pre-order it on June 15th and pick it up on the 24th. In the US, AT&T will sell the 16GB model for $199 and the 32GB model for $299 (both assuming a 2-year contract). At an unspecified time in July, 18 other countries — Canada included — will get the iPhone. Oh and how could we forget? The iPhone 4 will be available in both black and white.

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Posted up in our comments under our Motorola Sholes Tablet article is supposedly another never-yet-seen Motorola Android handset. This is also apparently a full touchscreen device that features an 8 megapixel camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, 3.8 inch display, 800 MHz processor and has a sleek black, rounded appearance. Another picture after the break for you to enjoy while we send out our connects for more information…

Thanks, yard!

UPDATE: Sorry guys, as some of you pointed out, this is definitely a fake.

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