LG joins Android crowd with GW620

LG has added its name to the increasing roster of manufacturers using Google's Android platform, with the announcement of the GW620.

The company said the handset will sport a large 3-inch display touchscreen. Those that prefer buttons will appreciate the slide out Qwerty keyboard underneath, in much the same way as the likes of the HTC Touch Pro2.

While LG has not released any further details of the GW620's specs, the mobile phone online community is expecting the device to offer the typical complement of standards such as HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and accelerometer and a five-megapixel camera.

According to LG's president, Dr. Skott Ahn, the company is chasing users who are moving to the smartphone for the first time. "The LG-GW620 will appeal to first-time smartphone customers by offering a new and different kind of user experience," Ahn said in a statement.

LG's use of Android could be seen as the company hedging its bets in the smartphone market, as it said it would also be releasing three smartphones based on Windows Mobile in the next few weeks. It has also recently launched feature phones with smartphone-like features such as Microsoft Exchange support as evidenced by the LG GW520 and LG GT505.

Benny Har-Even

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.