Gone are the days when the smaller the mobile, the more trendy it was thought to be. Big is in now, and in a huge way! Some smartphones have become so big, in fact, that they can’t be called phones anymore. These are called Phablets instead. Now, I’m not too sure I like the word phablet, but I am more than 100% sure that I love the devices that bear that name.
Phablets are hybrid devices that combine within them the portability of smartphones and big screens comparable to those of tablets. And though most of them may look to be too big to hold, they are actually rapidly gaining a firm foothold in the mobile market.
Market surveys reveal that after China, India is the second largest mobile handset market in the world, with a subscriber base of about 930 million. And in this huge market, the popularity of smartphones and Phablets is increasing steadily. According to ABI Research, the phablet market is set to reach 208 million by 2015. One reason for this increasing popularity of phablets is the all encompassing set of features they carry and the ease of use and viewing pleasure they ensure thanks to their big screen.
No wonder then that almost all major mobile companies are launching Phablet devices. And LG is not behind in this battle for Phablet space.
Just today, LG launched Optimus Vu in New Delhi. Optimus Vu claims to be a phablet device with unique form factor and an impressive set of specifications. Here’s a brief look at its specifications:
Specifications of LG Optimus Vu
Size: 139.6 * 90.4 * 8.5 mm
Display: 5 inch, 4:3 aspect ratio, 1024-by-768 pixel screen
Processor: 1.5 GHz Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad Core processor
OS: Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (Too bad it isn’t Jelly Bean, but hope it’s upgradable to JB)
Storage: 32 GB internal storage
Battery: 2,080 mAh
Camera: 8 MP on the back, 1.3 MP on front.
Stylus: Rubberdium stylus (5.5 inches)
Price: 34, 500 rupees
Some features: NFC enabled, QuickMemo app, instant upload of content to social networking sites, ability to jot memos or notes from any screen. Optimus Vu also has NFC for rapid data sharing and MHL connectivity for easy transfer of content from the Phablet to a smart TV.
Talking about Optimus Vu, Mr. Soon Kwon, President South West Asia Region & MD, LG India said, “Today, the smartphone segment is one of the most lucrative, innovative and competitive markets in the world. For a product to stand out in the crowd, it has to have everything that the competition fails to offer. Optimus Vu truly synchronizes the features of a tablet and smartphone into one flexible device. Its unique display offers the same perspective as a PC, and is perfect for multi-tasking. Optimus Vu caters to the lifestyle needs of today’s consumers, who demand smart devices which are both intelligent and efficient.”
Synchronization, intelligence and efficiency definitely seem to be the key words in today’s emerging mobile technology. And with better and better devices coming out with rapid frequency, we consumers are a happy lot, even if our pockets keep on complaining.
