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LG KF600

Cruising on the success of their Chocolate and Viewty handsets, LG have announced their next touch-based device: the KF600. The key feature of the KF600 is its InteractPad – new technology from LG which replaces physical navigation keys with intuitive touch-sensitive buttons.

The KF600 is, at the core, a slider phone. It has a 2” TFT LCD with 262,144 colour capability, and 320 x 240 pixel resolution. Under the display are four context-specific buttons, which is actually just a touch-sensitive LCD (1.5” TFT LCD @ 240 x 176 pixels and 262,144 colours). As you move through the menu system the buttons change to provide easy access to relevant functions – allowing users to complete the task at hand without being distracted by endless levels of the user interface.

The virtual keys are perfectly suited to multimedia functions such as the music player and camera. Because the keys change as different applications are opened, users have more direct access to the features they want. In the music player application for example, you will not need to open the menu and select the pause or fast forward button – control keys are already being displayed on the InteractPad.

Multi-sensorial technology provides users with animation, sound, and physical feedback when pushing a button on the InteractPad, making the buttons seem more like physical buttons and much easier to use. The vibration-feedback keys on the Viewty were a great hit, and it’s no surprise that this is back with the KF600.

The KF600 isn’t all about its InteractPad, though. A powerful 3mpx digital camera provides image and video capture, which can be sent off to friends and family via MMS or e-mail messaging. A media (video & audio) player and FM stereo radio are also included.

LG have limited the KF600 to 2G networks – only GSM 900/1800/1900MHz networks are supported. GRPS and EDGE data protocols are supported for packet data access, with a built-in web browser for surfing the net and downloading content.

Eight pre-installed user interface themes are included, which modify the look of items such as the wallpaper, menu, and icons.

A full charge of the 800mAh lithium-ion battery pack used to power the KF600 will provide approximately 3 hours of talk time or 300 hours of standby time. The dual LCD displays are most probably the cause of such low battery life.

The KF600 has already started selling in some markets, but was introduced over the World Mobile Congress 2008 from the 11th – 14th February.

Accompanying features
Connectivity options	Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0
Camera support	3mpx digital camera with video recording
Data support	EDGE, GPRS
Exchangeable covers	None
Internet applications	Proprietary Browser
Memory   Internal -   External -	Yes, 64MB Yes, microSD
Messaging capabilities	SMS/EMS, MMS, and e-mail messaging
Ringing tones	Polyphonic MIDI, and MP3/AAC ringing tones^
Synchronisation with PC	Yes, via PC Suite
System for...   Add-on applications -   Gaming -   Phone -	Java MIDP 2.0 Java MIDP 2.0 Proprietary with Thematic UI
Extras supported (not listed above)	Stereo FM radio Office document viewer Music player (MP3, AAC, eAAC+, and WMA)