LG's KE850 PRADA official: iPhone says, wha?
Check it Apple, LG just went official with their iPhone look-a-like LG KE850 Prada phone which they proudly tout as the world's "first completely touch screen mobile phone." Er, unless you consider the ones from Motorola, HTC, and others. Still, this is more than likely a dig at the iPhone which they can rightly make since the KE850 will hit select mobile shops and PRADA stores in the UK, France, Germany and Italy at the end of February and parts of Asia before March is through. Sadly, the KE850 is a non starter for the US market since this version is limited to tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 with EDGE data. It's smaller than its fruity peer at just 98.8 x 54 x 12-mm resulting in a more compact, 3.0-inch display presumably with that 240 x 400 resolution we heard about earlier. In case you're keeping track (and we know you are), the iPhone goes quad-band GSM with EDGE and WiFi in a 115 x 61 x 11.6-mm shell sporting a 3.5-inch, 320 x 480 display. Also, the KE850 seems to lack any significant on-board storage opting instead for microSD to boost capacity. Like the iPhone, it packs a 2 megapixel camera (with Schneider-Kreuznach lens and LED flash) and Bluetooth 2.0. However, there's no mention of multi-touch capabilities, an on-screen keyboard, or the accelerometer and proximity sensors found on the iPhone. The KE850 PRADA's UI is Macromedia Flash-based and opts for a minimalist, white-on-black display as opposed to the more, shall we say, OS Xish GUI we've already seen floated. Feature-wise, the KE850 comes with a video player supporting MPEG-4, H.264, and oddly, H.263 normally used for video conferencing; a document viewer supporting Microsoft's PPT, DOC, XLS formats, PDF and TXT; an audio player with support for MP3/ACC/ACC+/WMA/RA formats; and a "music multitasking function for messaging," whatever that is. How much? €600/$778... that's how much. Still, a compelling choice for those who can't wait for the iPhone's Q4 European introduction or 2008 Asia launch. Click-on for more pics.[Via AVING]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
naveen @ Jan 18th 2007 7:11AM
Though KE850 PRADA doesn't please me so much as I had expected it to since I haven't come out of the out of the cloud nine of the iPhone BUT it will surely capture a good share of market since iPhone is slated for a delayed launch and unfortunately its 2008 for Asian market. Good job LG!
Keymaster @ Jan 18th 2007 8:33AM
What decade is this? Another high end phone without 3G data? At least it's Europe getting as screwed on the pda phone front instead of America for once. How does it feel, you sons of bitches! :)
Harry @ Jan 18th 2007 9:07AM
what's up with that chick? LOL
xeper @ Jan 18th 2007 11:04AM
LG has NEVER made a phone worth buying. I think Apple [and MS and Nokia] would most-likely say "meh", just as I did.
LG's build quality is terrible and their UI's clunky. Not to mention nearly zero platform uniformity between their own devices.
Dave @ Aug 14th 2007 6:02PM
Your wrong there buckaroo, I have one and it in fact pisses on the iPhone, plus LG have been brought by Sony so are you saying that sony have never made anything good?
SONY EMPLOYEE @ Sep 1st 2007 12:26AM
>>Dave @ Aug 14th 2007 6:02PM
... plus LG have been brought by Sony so are you saying that sony have never made anything good?
you are on crack. Sony certainly did not buy LG.
BEN @ Jan 18th 2007 11:29AM
HA! What's up with that girl with man hands?
ForgetApple @ Jan 18th 2007 2:18PM
Here your iphone skin folks...
http://www.freewebs.com/wm5toiphoneskin/
cromas @ Jan 18th 2007 2:19PM
...so exactly why is a tri-band gsm 900/1800/1900 phone w/EDGE a non-starter for the US? Last I checked, the majority of the US GSM network was 1900MHz.
hello @ Jan 4th 2008 1:27AM
haha thats the frequency not the speed lol?
Woozle @ Jan 18th 2007 3:42PM
More girlie pics. I like her. Oh, there's a phone?
Steven @ Jan 18th 2007 5:11PM
I believe "music multitasking function for messaging" means you can send/receive text messages while music is playing. On most LG phones, once the music player is on, you can't do anything else except receive a phone call.
XYZ @ Jan 19th 2007 12:19AM
This has an ATI chip in it that handles graphics and audio decode. So you might be able to do more even while it's playing music.
sail191912 @ Jan 19th 2007 12:41AM
I know it's shallow, but I want one just because it looks so elegant & classy.
It might be nice as a secondary phone. At $700, it's cheaper than an N93.
salbeik @ Jan 19th 2007 5:41AM
I'd rather buy the 500 Dollar iPhone than 778 Dollar Prada - im pretty shure the iPhone can do mucccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccch more
xdreduardx @ Jan 19th 2007 8:15AM
This is the best model Prada can come up with?
I am holding out for the Versace phone.
cjzero @ Jan 19th 2007 11:51PM
Disclaimer-I am NOT an Apple fanboy.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there buttons on the front? How is that a "completely touch screen mobile phone"?
EatAppleSauce @ Jan 21st 2007 9:59PM
Apple is the lamest company in the world just behind Sony.
So much PR so little of the real world.
Microhost is bad, but Apple is not making any good products either.
The only reason Microhost is bad because theres no alternative in this world.
iPod, iPhone, i-this ,i-that.
This stuff is so expensive but whos buing it most?
The kinds and the people without any idea what to use it for.
Who needs 5000 songs on iPod.
Who needs all-in-one UMPC with phone in it.
Who need this white plastic glamor.
The only folks who benefit from this stuff is the Apple it self.
Look at Japan.
japan is living in 21 century.
And we are in Apple Sauce world.
jb @ Jan 24th 2007 7:32PM
that girl in the photo is more interestn than the article..
Sarah @ Feb 5th 2007 2:45PM
Apple can rot in hell for all I care. They are a bunch of money-grubbing assholes. I'd take the Prada phone anyday.
jas @ Mar 3rd 2007 7:26PM
good for LG.
I think once lg has done a looks and feature pack phone.
I wonder if all networks are going to make it happen on their tariffs
jas @ Mar 3rd 2007 7:26PM
good for LG.
bleufuzion @ Jul 20th 2007 2:22PM
the hand in the first photo is not hers...that's def a man's hand...hmmm.
Jinan @ Dec 15th 2007 4:21AM
I can't hear properly in PRADA while receiving calls is there is anything can be done to in creese the ear volium in PRADA - I personaly find it as a waste
jcase @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:16AM
With the volume set to full I can hear fine on my Prada, you just have to be careful to line up the speaker with your ear properly, and I've used the speakerphone to teleconference people into to committee meetings; its so loud.