That new pen has a slimmer nib for more accurate handwriting, and is paired with LG’s Q Memo app for digital notetaking that can sync with an LG notebook and also be printed. Inside, there’s a 1.5GHz dualcore Qualcomm processor and 2GB of RAM running Android – version unspecified – along with a 2,150 mAh removable battery and memory card slot.

LG will offer a couple of more unusual accessories with the Vu II, including a wireless charging pad, and a “One Key” remote that, at the touch of a button, will make the smartphone beep just in case you’ve lost it down the back of the couch. The waterproof One Key also includes a multicolor LED, which flashes to show calls, messages, charging status, and other alerts.

In Korea, meanwhile, there’ll be integrated DMB digital TV reception, with the ability to view TV and other apps on-screen at the same time using the same system as in the Optimus G. There’ll also be Q Translator to translate  dozens of languages using the camera.

No word on when the Optimus Vu II might go on sale, nor for how much, at this stage.

Recently, we’ve been hearing word that the LG Optimus Vu has been rebranded as the Intuition in time for its launch at Verizon, and this image seems to confirm it. The Intuition looks exactly the same as the Optimus Vu, with that same 5-inch screen putting out a 4:3 aspect ratio. You can see the front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera in the leaked press shot, and the phablet will come with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running and 32 GB of storage.

Of course, until LG makes an official announcement, we can’t be sure that September 15 is the date the Intuition is launching, so it may be best to remain on the skeptical side of things for the time being. However, LG has said previously that it hoped to launch the US version of the Optimus Vu before the end of its Q3, which wraps up at the end of September, so at least a September 15 release date for the freshly-rebranded Intuition doesn’t seem too absurd.

Sadly, we’ll have to wait for more details. September 15 is coming up pretty quickly though, so if that is indeed the launch date, don’t expect Verizon and LG to make us go much longer without pricing and release information. Keep it right here at SlashGear – we’ll have that information for you once LG and Verizon spill the beans.

When the Vu II figures out you’re connected to your home WiFi network, it automatically adds remote control shortcut buttons to its lockscreen. That way, even if your phone is locked, the rest of your family and your friends can use it to control your home entertainment system.

That addresses one of the main complaints about such multi-function gadgetry: making it convenient for several users often undermines security for one. Samsung has a number of tablets that offer universal remote features, for instance, but you’ll need to leave them unlocked – or tell everyone your PIN – if you want them to be able to access the control app itself.

LG hasn’t said much else about the Vu II, which implies the phone will be otherwise akin to its Vu sibling: big screen, somewhat odd 4:3 aspect ratio, and stylus support. No word on whether it will launch outside of Korea.

LG says that by far the most popular LTE handset is the Optimus LTE, managing to amass two million devices sold. The Optimus LTE II, meanwhile, became one of the fastest selling LTE phones, reportedly selling 500,000 units in its first 70 days of life. As for the quirky Optimus Vu, LG says that its managed to shift 500,000 since its release in South Korea in March. The handset will be making its way to the United States shortly on Verizon, so we’ll have to see how receptive an American audience is to the device.

The company is planning a variant of the Optimus LTE II in the United States on Verizon’s network, the VS930. Pictures emerged of the handset last month, showing off a fairly basic design, with reports indicating the handset will feature a 4.7-inch IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, NFC support, and LTE connectivity as well as world roaming capabilities.

A leaked service manual for the phone indicated that Ice Cream Sandwich will be onboard out of the box, and the handset will pack a 2,150mAh battery. The release date for the handset was tipped for July 13th, but the date came and went without any form of an announcement. No doubt Verizon will reveal it in due course, and we’ll let you know when the company does.

[via Android Central]

We don’t know exactly when LG is planning to launch the Optimus Vu in the US, but our friends over at Android Community say that the company is hoping to have it out by the end of Q3. That means we should be getting it by the end of September, so not that much longer to wait. Also unknown is which carrier will have the Optimus Vu at launch, but we have some information that allows us to make an educated guess.

Recent FCC filings point to a Verizon release, and indeed, we’ve seen the phone with Verizon branding before. It would appear that Verizon is getting the phone first, but with no confirmation from either company yet, we’re hesitant to say that a Verizon LG Optimus Vu is a 100% sure thing. Still, with all of this evidence suggesting a Verizon release, it seems safe to assume that such a launch is on the horizon.

We’ve known about the LG Optimus Vu since it was unveiled at MWC back in February. The phone comes complete with a 5-inch screen at an uncommon 4:3 aspect ratio, has Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwhich installed, 32GB of memory, and uses a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor. It doesn’t sound like a bad handset by any means, and if you’ve been looking forward to it, you might be able to get your hands on one before long. Keep it here at SlashGear, as we’ll bring you more information once LG talks details.

According to sources speaking to DigiTimes, HTC plans on releasing the device sometime in September or October, putting it up against the likes of the Galaxy Note II and the next iPhone, if current release date rumors are to be believed. The resolution of the device is listed as 1794×1080: the panel will most likely be 1920×1080, while 126 pixels are used for the onscreen Android keys found on Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean.

Little is known about the device, although DigiTimes does go on to say that the surprisingly large sales of the Galaxy Note has prompted other companies to take a second look at the form factor. Back in June, Samsung claimed it had sold more than 7 million Galaxy Notes worldwide, impressive for a device that was at first dismissed. LG’s Optimus Vu has been been available in South Korea for several months now, featuring a 5-inch 1024×768 screen, but the company hasn’t released any sales numbers for the device.

Specs for HTC’s mystery 5-inch device aren’t known, although benchmarks leaked in July indicate that the company is working on a device with a 1080p screen matched with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chip. The device certainly didn’t lack in horsepower either, doubling the score of the HTC One X while also beating the Samsung Galaxy S III by a healthy margin. BGR also reported back in April that an HTC device with a 5-inch 1080p display would land on Verizon sometime in the Fall.

The LG Optimus Vu is a so-called “phablet” device made to contend directly with the Samsung Galaxy Note. This device has a 5-inch display that has a 3:4 ratio and a rather squared-off look to it. This device also has a capacitive pen device that goes with it, though it does remain unclear whether or not it will be included with the final product. Inside we’ve seen this device run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the back has an 8 megapixel camera, and the battery that runs the whole show is 2,080 mAh strong.

Again this device is not confirmed for Verizon, but what the photo above is telling us is that it’s not long for the spotlight. This device will likely be followed up on by Samsung with the Galaxy Note 2 which we’ve heard little to nothing about thus far, while LG has thus far only been tipped for Verizon here in the states for the Vu. Have a peek at our Optimus Vu timeline below to learn more, or go to our full Optimus Vu hands-on from CITA 2012 or MWC 2012 to see more up-close action!

Bonus: remember we also saw an FCC tip earlier this year that the Optimus Vu would be coming with 4G LTE – Verizon’s brand of it – later this year as well. Soon it will be upon us!

[via Android Community]

The NTT DoCoMo Galaxy S III (SC-06D) is one of eight phones in the DoCoMo NEXT series. That also includes the Optimus Vu, LG’s oversized Galaxy Note rival, and devices from Panasonic (the Eluga Power P-07D), Sharp (the Aquos Phone sv SH-10D among others), and Sony (the Xperia GX SO-04D). All run Android 4.0.

The DoCoMo “with” Series, meanwhile, features seven more mid-range phones, including Panasonic’s Eluga V P-06D and Sony’s Xperia SX SO-05D. Again, all run Android 4.0, and three pack LTE connectivity.

As for the tablet, that’s the ELUGA Live P-08D by Panasonic, set to arrive in August, with a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 display, 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP4460 processor, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera, no rear camera but a chassis that’s both waterproof and dustproof.

The kid’s phone, HW-01D, has a 2-inch 240 x 320 display and is waterproof and dustproof, while the Mobile WiFi Router L-04D can share its LTE connection out over WiFi b/g/n connections with up to ten tethered devices.

DoCoMo will announce pricing later on, with the phones arriving from June 2012.

These devices come to us from all the way over the sea, our last look at them having been during MWC 2012 in Barcelona. What we’re seeing here is that the devices (both of them) are essentially the same as they were back then, with a few software tweaks here and there on their way to the market here in the USA. At the moment, as you might well know, both of these devices are out in Europe – though we’re also yet to hear from LG on how well they’re selling.

LG Optimus 4X HD hands-on:

LG Optimus Vu hands-on:

Have a peek here at both devices and head back to their original announcement posts as well as hands-on posts to see what they’re made of. You’ll find that these devices are made for the consumer market looking for either one gigantic screen or one gigantically powerful smartphone – remember that the LG Optimus 4X HD has the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor inside, complete with 4-PLUS-1 technology along with it.

The next device shown to fit in with this strategy is the LG Optimus Vu, coming in strong with a 5 inch display, 4 x 3 screen ratio, and a bevy of unique features. LG was specific about how this device can function perfectly well “without a stylus”, but makes sure to note that a stylus does work with a stylus as well. This device comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, an 8 megapixel camera on the back, and a massive 2,080 mAh battery inside. This device also runs with LTE connectivity everywhere it’ll be launched.

One of the most important elements that LG is touting here is LTE – if we see the Optimus Vu in the united states on Verizon’s 4G LTE network before we see the Galaxy Note there, a giant market may well be swayed to the LG side of things for lack of the Samsung product. The other factor here is the user interface which isn’t as heavily skinned at Samsung’s TouchWiz. Have a peek at a few of the images above and below and see that most of the major changes are in the icons rather than in the animations and larger aesthetic choices.

The height to width ratio of the Vu appears at first to be a bit awkward, especially since we’ve been using the Note for so long now. Will we grow bigger hands in the near future, or will our full review of this device show it to actually be less wide than we first thought? Perhaps also we’ll realize that this device isn’t meant to be held with one hand, but with two at all times!

You can see the rest of the show’s content in our big [MWC 2012 portal] – or if you’d like to work with LG specifically this week, hit up the [LG portal] all night and day. The LG Optimus Vu is set to be what LG calls a perfect device for both portability and your everyday smartphone life – is it going to move you with the same beat as they’d hope?

Very briefly let’s go through and see a fun new point or two on each of these devices before we see them in person next week in Spain, starting with the LG Optimus L7. With the LG Optimus L7, you’ll see the line’s newly minted NFC capabilities in full working order – also the three-button nature of the device, with one physical button in the middle and two haptic buttons on either side lighting up.

Next with the LG Optimus L3 you’ll notice that LG is coming forward with some smaller devices as well as large, this device still working with Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread out of the box as well while many models will be starting with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Next we’ll have a look at a video the Telefonino folks have taken of the LG Optimus LTE aka LTE Tag just so you can see the absolutely absurd pull-up antenna that happens to exist on this international model.

With the LG Optimus 4X complete with NVIDIA Tegra 3 you’ll get a glimpse of the Ice Cream Sandwich-related user interface customizability that LG has presented with their own custom UI skin.

The LG Optimus 3D Max aka 3D Cube is very very similar to its predecessor, the LG Optimus 3D, save for a few modifications to the innards and a thinned-down profile – seen here.

Finally for the LG Optimus Vu we see our first look at it sitting next to its biggest competitor the Samsung Galaxy Note – let the fight begin! We’ll be seeing this whole collection for ourselves at the start of next week in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress 2012 – stick with us here on SlashGear for total coverage!

[via Telefonino]

This device has the Tegra 3′s four main CPU cores and the fifth low-power drive bringing this processor and therefor this phone the world’s only smartphone-sized 4-plus-1 core-toting smartphone device on earth. This device also comes with no less than the newest version of Google’s own Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the newest version of the group’s world-class mobile operating system. The Optimus 4X has the ability to output video to HDMI via its own MHL port, DLNA support, and a brand new version of LG’s user interface over Android with as much customizability as you can handle.

This is both one of LG’s largest smartphones yet and one of if not THE first smartphone with a quad-core processor to be hitting the market worldwide. You’ll find that LG is coming on strong with this and the LG Optimus Vu at Mobile World Congress 2012. We’ll be at Mobile World Congress 2012 starting this Sunday and will certainly be running around all week looking for all things NVIDIA as well as LG, not to mention the rest of the mobile world at the world’s largest mobile convention of the year! See you in Spain!

Google has been quiet on pen control for Android devices, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been thinking about it. Android 4.0 already includes support for stylus input, natively recognizing multi-button pens, taps, tilt/distance, pressure and more. Everything, in fact, you’d need to create an art- and handwriting-capable Android phone or tablet.

“Android 4.0 includes full support for stylus input events, including tilt and distance axes, pressure, and related motion event properties. To help applications distinguish motion events from different sources, the platform adds distinct tool types for stylus, finger, mouse, and eraser. For improved input from multi-button pointing devices, the platform now provides distinct primary, secondary, and tertiary buttons, as well as back and forward buttons. Hover-enter and hover-exit events are also added, for improved navigation and accessibility. Developers can build on these new input features to add powerful interactions to their apps, such as precise drawing and gesturing, handwriting and shape recognition, improved mouse input, and others” Google Android 4.0 Highlights

Samsung and LG – both with devices currently running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, with custom pen support – are yet to confirm whether they’ll be switching over to ICS’ native stylus input system when the Galaxy Note and Optimus Vu make the leap to 4.0. But Google and its new hardware team at Motorola could easily put a Note/Vu rival together using native ICS code.

It’s possible that pens are a passing trend rather than something which will stick. Samsung and LG are known for being fiercely competitive with each other; where one goes, the other usually follows, even if that’s in a direction the rest of the industry is less convinced by. The Galaxy Note is certainly a niche device, but LG obviously decided it was a niche worthy enough to wade into itself.

Still, the Optimus Vu presents a slightly different proposition: its display is squatter, wider than that of the Note, using a 4:3 aspect panel – like Apple’s iPad – rather than the taller, narrower Samsung screen. In effect that means wider notepaper to write on, though it’s also worth remembering that Samsung still squeezes in more horizontal pixels: the LG screen is 768 pixels wide, versus the Galaxy Note’s 800. That’ll have a – small – impact on how fine your handwritten text can be.

As for who else might follow the Korean companies, the phablet market is still very much uncertain. HTC has experimented with pen input itself, though on its tablets rather than smartphones. The HTC Flyer beat the Galaxy Note to market, but struggled thanks to less precise digital inking. Its meatier stylus also lacked a place to dock into the Flyer itself, too, something even Palm many years ago could’ve told you was essential. After all, if the pen is even slightly tricky to carry, you’re unlikely to bother taking it with you. The HTC Jetstream, meanwhile, was priced out of contention, though there’s talk of a Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet from Samsung next week.

Motorola has been arguably the least experimentative of all the major Android players – it has all-touch phones, QWERTY phones, and a couple of sizes of tablets – so far, a side-effect perhaps of its tightened focus after years of spreading its ambitions (and resources) too thin. With Google taking the reins, and access to the core Android engineering staff, that period of reticence could be over. A Google Nexus phablet might be too much out of left field for the company’s traditional own-brand purposes, but – like the original XOOM, arguably positioned as a Nexus device in all but name – a Motorola phablet could well be used to showcase Android 4.x’s native stylus skills and highlight its abilities over and above iOS.

As with the Samsung Galaxy Note, the Optimus Vu comes with a stylus so as to handwrite notes, annotated images and documents, and sketch out maps and diagrams. A custom memo app takes center-stage, and the pen itself is apparently made of – or at least clad in – rubber for easier grip.

Gingerbread is running on a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core paired with 32GB of internal storage, and there’s an 8-megapixel camera on the back – with autofocus and flash – and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls. WiFi Direct, HDMI output, DLNA and – in South Korea at least – T-DMB digital TV are all supported.

The Optimus Vu measures in at 139.6 x 90.4 x 8.5 mm and tips the scales at 168g. That makes it shorter and thinner than the Galaxy Note, though wider, as well as slightly lighter. Inside is a 2,080 mAh battery, smaller than the Samsung’s 2,500 mAh pack.

The LG Optimus Vu will hit Korea’s SK Telecom and LG Telecom in early March, with pricing yet to be announced. No word on international launch plans at this stage, but we’d be very surprised if LG didn’t have them; we’ll likely find out more when we go hands-on with the Optimus Vu at MWC 2012 next week.

The question remains as the leaks to not confirm the newest version of Android and the image we’ve got at the moment has an interface that could just as easily be Ice Cream Sandwich as it could be Froyo. This device sill have a few other cosmetic changes also, with the volume button and the 3D switch switching sides from the right to the left for this iteration. LG is setting us up for something brand new, but will it be a big enough change to bring us back after a slightly lackluster first edition?

This device also has the name LG Optimus 3D Max and will almost certainly share its 9.8mm thick body with the LG Optimus Vu at this year’s Mobile World Congress. This 3D device is likely to have the same screen found in the Optimus LTE, hi-res IPS sharpness and all, and will be trumped only by the Vu in its newness. Follow the action via our [MWC 2012] portal and don’t miss a beat at the end of this month!

[via OLED Display]

The flip side of the argument, though, is that a 4:3 display gives the device a wider aesthetic when held in portrait mode, making it more amenable to reading books or looking at portrait-oriented photos. We’ve all become accustomed to widescreen displays so something like this just looks inherently weird. And as the above picture shows, compared to Samsung’s large Galaxy Note phone, it just looks outdated.

Nevertheless, the Vu will surely appeal to a select group of phone users. The market for a 5-inch phone is probably notably different than that of a 4-inch phone. This new category of “phablets” or “tabletphones,” whatever you want to call it, will no doubt have some growing pains. The idea of going back to a world of 4:3 aspect ratios just seems unlikely, but we probably would have said the same thing about 5-inch phones in the first place, just a couple years ago.

[via Android Community]

Still unconfirmed is exactly what resolution the big screen runs at, though LG is believed to be offering an 8-megapixel main camera and there’s what looks to be a front-facing camera lens visible in the video teaser. 8GB of ROM space and NFC is also believed to be onboard, the latter unsurprising as LG has already included the short-range wireless in its recent PRADA Phone 3.0.

Beyond that there are only tidbits to be gleaned from the clip, which shows the PRADA-style circular metal buttons for lock/power along with a sliding microUSB cover door. What we’re really interested to see is whether LG has followed Samsung’s similarly sizable Galaxy Note and equipped the Optimus Vu with a stylus.

We’ll find out more over the next few weeks, we’re guessing; if there’s one thing we’ve learned from previous pre-MWC teaser campaigns, it’s that LG can’t help whispering about its new devices in advance. Whether we have the pockets to accommodate the Optimus Vu will have to wait until Barcelona.

[via Android Community]