8 Gadgets For The High-Tech Home
(Click image for larger view and slideshow.)On Monday LG announced three new tablets running Google's Android operating system. The new hardware gives LG an entire range of tablets that range in size from 7 inches to 10.1 inches. The company hopes its lineup will entice consumers who might otherwise select a slate from Samsung. LG also debuted another video with more details about the Android Wear-based G Watch.
The three tablets -- the G Pad 7.0, G Pad 8.0, and G Pad 10.1 -- share many features with the existing G Pad 8.3. The differentiating factor between them is of course the screen size. LG contends that tablets should not be one-size-fits-all and recognizes the importance of offering devices suited to the differing needs of today's consumers. The new screen sizes go head-to-head with Samsung's roster of slates.
LG's new G Pad series
LG is pitching the 7-inch model as a highly portable entertainment hub. The 8-inch model is the "Goldilocks" tablet, which offers portability and more room for productivity. The 10.1-inch model offers the best in terms of battery life and entertainment.
[Will Microsoft's next line of Surface tablets finally get it right? Read Microsoft Surface: Why More Is More.]
LG said its tablets will be chock full of LG-developed software and services. For example, the devices will include Knock Code, which is LG's new tool for securing smartphones and tablets. Device owners can set their own series of taps to lock and unlock the screen. The tablets will also include QPair 2.0, which lets owners pair their LG smartphone with their LG tablet (via Bluetooth) to receive notifications about incoming calls/messages on their tablet, and respond to them.
LG was shy about sharing a detailed list of specs for its new tablets, however, and the company left many questions unanswered. There's no word about the processors, cameras, screen resolution, memory, storage, and so on. At a minimum, it is safe to assume the G Pad tablets will include Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, and LTE variants may be available as well. More details, including pricing and availability, will be revealed in the weeks ahead, LG said.
Separately, LG offered another glimpse at the G Watch, its forthcoming smartwatch based on Google's Android Wear platform. We know the device will be offered in either black or gold and that the scratch-resistant screen will always be on. LG says the G Watch will be waterproof and that it has plastic straps and a metal body. The video uses the tagline "Ready for anything, anytime with a single charge" -- perhaps LG will offer more details on what that means when the device is announced in full later this year.
The G Watch is expected to make its formal debut alongside the Moto 360 Android Wear watch during Google's I/O developer conference in June.
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Eric is a freelance writer for InformationWeek specializing in mobile technologies. View Full BioMore Insights
Source : http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/mobile-devices/lg-intros-g-pad-tablets/d/d-id/1252656
