LG continues their experiment building curved phones with bent screens. The G Flex 2 is a fairly significant departure from their first phablet offering. Having used the phone for a couple weeks now, let’s see if it lives up to the legacy of its predecessor!
LG finally took the wraps off of their newest flagship phone at a very conservative press event. No fashion runway, no choir, no stage. They let the device speak for itself, while detailing the new tech and design elements moving forward.
The G4 will follow in the design footsteps of the G3 and the G Flex. The screen will now feature a subtle curve, not as radical as the Flex, but offering a more ergonomic experience than the G3. As we’re still using a near-phablet 5.5″ screen, the slight bend should help with one handed use, and lining up with the contours of the human face.
The screen is still a QHD (2560×1440) resolution affair, but LG is focusing on the quality and brightness of the display, over trying to cram in more dots. We’ve complained in the past that LG screens can be harder to read outdoors when compared to Samsung and Nokia, and it would seem the G4 will address that issue. They claim their IPS Quantum technology will be 25% brighter with increased contrast and color accuracy.
This video does an excellent job of nailing one of the technical criticisms I had with Man of Steel, and something which I feel will continue to be an issue with Batman v Superman. It would seem that DC learned the wrong lesson from Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. That because the Dark Knight franchise was successful, and they were dark and gritty with muted color, then ALL superhero films should be dark and gritty with muted color.
Rumors have been swirling that Google would launch their own phone service, and today we have official confirmation on their plans.
Project Fi
Instead of building their own towers, Google will lease their connection on partner networks, Sprint and T-Mobile at launch. This makes Google an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), and brings them the advantage of not having to build out a competing network. The trick to Project Fi will be in delivering consumers a seamless transition between data and calls over Wi-Fi and on partner networks.
In subscribing to Fi, you will automatically be connected to the best possible network in your area. If Sprint has the best connection, your phone will connect to that network. Move to an area that’s rich for T-Mobile, you’ll jump ship to the UnCarrier. The consumer no longer has to mess with coverage maps or swapping SIM cards.
Low Cost
Pricing seems reasonable for an MVNO. There’s a base $20 a month fee for unlimited Talk and Text, with coverage for 120+ countries. Data costs $10 per GB. Want 4GB of LTE data, that will cost you $40. As the service moves between different carriers, it’s not very easy to do rollover data, instead Google is opting for cash back. If you pay for 4GB, but only use 2GB, you will receive a bill credit for $20.
Project Fi will start as an invite only service, and will only be compatible with the Nexus 6 at launch. It’s unclear how Google will move forward with other handset manufacturers, or what the certifications process for Fi compatible handsets will resemble.
Fun fact: Did you know that almost 70% of my Youtube audience lives OUTSIDE the USA?I feel like celebrating!
How about a nice new smartwatch for Samsung owners, and let’s make this contest a WORLDWIDE affair! Yup. I’ll ship this puppy anywhere I can legally send a product, so don’t be shy.
I’m really glad that LG is continuing the “Flex” experiment. Is the G Flex 2 a worthy successor to the original? I think it’s time for a good old fashioned showdown!
Good news for bendy phone fans on AT&T, as this LG smartphone will be landing on Big Blue for $299 on a two year contract, or purchased outright for $708.99. Expect to see the G Flex 2 online and at select AT&T stores starting April 24th.
Are you looking forward to a curved screen phone? Drop us a comment, watch our comparison between the G Flex 2 and its predecessor, or read AT&T’s full press release below!
Lenovo is building out a line of small form factor PC’s under the “THINK” branding. The hardware certainly has a business-grade focus, and can be paired with an excellent monitor dock. Is the M83 a good fit for personal use too? Let’s take a look!