AT&T and LG have teamed up to launch the LG eXpo in the US. The device claims to be the first handset to feature 1GHz processor in the US. Designed specifically to meet the ever-growing demands of business professionals for instant data sharing, the LG eXpo will be available online from December 7. Exclusively available for AT&T consumers, the device offers broad compatibility with AT&T’s High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 Mbps technology to deliver a significant speed enhancement to the nation’s fastest 3G network.
The LG eXpo claims to be the first handset in North America to feature an optional integrated pico projector. The device houses the LG Mobile Projector on its back, permitting users to share presentations, slideshows and online videos directly from their handsets. At 1.8 ounces, the device is sleek enough to be pocketable. With the integrated LG mobile projector, users receive a projection distance of nearly eight feet.
“LG eXpo adds to our growing portfolio of smartphones that operate on the latest upgrade to our 3G network and offer customers a great choice,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “As we move to HSPA 7.2 technology, it is crucial to provide our customers innovative and future-proof smartphones.”
AT&T continues its efforts to offer the nation’s fastest 3G network with the upgrade to HSPA 7.2 technology. Initially, AT&T’s HSPA 7.2 will be deployed in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami later this year. The HSPA 7.2 is expected to be deployed in 25 of the nation’s 30 biggest markets by the end of 2010. The company plans to rise to 90 percent of its current 3G network footprint with HSPA 7.2 by the end of 2011.
“LG eXpo is the perfect balance of mobile innovation and design” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “Enabling users to meet their professional and personal computing needs from the palm of their hands, LG eXpo makes on-the-go communication an effortless luxury.”
Integrated with the “Smart Sensor” fingerprint recognition exclusively from AuthenTec, the LG eXpo also eliminates the requirement of pin codes and passwords. With this technology, the device promises to offer an advanced level of personal security. AT&T claims to be the first network carrier to provide a smartphone that empowers the features and functions of a smart sensor to thousands of US consumers. An ideal complement to the Smart Sensor technology is the device’s intuitive touchscreen user interface, offering accurate cursor control for texting, 4-way menu navigation, and AuthenTec’s unique turbo-scroll feature for instant surfing of emails, contact lists and websites.
The LG eXpo is powered by Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional that allows users to stay connected with emails, calendar and Microsoft Office Mobile while on the go. The integrated projection feature easily shows Web pages, documents, photos and videos. The slider LG eXpo features a 3.2-inch external touchscreen with 16M color and full slide-and-hide QWERTY keypad. The LG eXpo supports RSS Viewer, Podcast and GPS for easy multi-tasking. Furthermore, the handset equips 5.0 megapixel camera with built-in auto flash as well as 16GB removable microSD memory card for storing music files, photos and videos.
The LG eXpo is available online at the official website of AT&T for $199.99, after a mail-in rebate, starting from December 7. Users need to shell out $299.99 and after mail-in rebate receive a $100 AT&T Promotion Card. A two-year contract on a $69.99 plan is necessary. In few weeks, the LG Mobile Projector will be available for $179.99.