Inspecting gadgets

zoom

ACN rounds up the latest and greatest executive gadgets, from the latest eight megapixel snapper to the newest network storage units.

LG Arena

Will the flood of touchscreen phones never end? Two years ago we'd never heard of the blighters and now we're up to our armpits in them, with each vendor promising that we'll touch their products in new and excitingly different ways. Oh thank you, Lord Steve, for the wondrous bounty that you have bestowed upon us or as we like to call it, the gift that keeps on giving.

What can we make then, of this latest device from aspiring mobile giants LG? Well, it's got a three-inch display with 8GB of memory and a five autofocus megapixel camera on the back that boasts a lens from some outfit called Schneider Kreuznach. The screen's probably the most interesting bit - at 800x480, it's got considerably more pixels than competitors from Apple and Samsung, which help in overall readability. Increasing overall resolution is where all vendors will go eventually, unless you want to go back to the era of Nokia Communicator-style bricks.

The multimedia functionality isn't anything out of the ordinary with the Arena being able to play most formats including the often tricky H.264 video files. A bonus is the FM transmitter, which allows you to stream audio to a home audio or car stereo system and isn't a feature that's commonly included (although we hear rumours that Apple is considering its inclusion in the next iPhone).

What LG is really pushing with the Arena is its new "S-Class" user interface which uses a 3D metaphor for interaction - so you can choose options on a ‘floating' cube, or slide along a film strip. From the early demos, it looks promising, but as always with phones of this type, your mileage with the production version may vary.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM