LG's KE850 PRADA official: iPhone says, wha?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted January 18th 2007 4:42AM
posted January 18th 2007 4:42AM
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]
Perfect
Co-developed with fashion house Prada, the KE850 is a high tech, high fashion tri-band GSM mobile phone. In spite of its appearance, it isn’t a smartphone. Think of it more like a feature phone on steroids. Not being a smartphone doesn’t make it any less exciting of a device, of course.
Imran
http://www.mobilephoneupdates.com
How about this was released Months before the iphone. ( At least in the USA ) therefore I don't see it as a copy.
Its probably useless to argue on this web about IPhone VS LG. There are too many apple fanboys out there.
"js
Well it's a known fact that engadget editors have been Apple fanboys... just look at the CES coverage at http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/12/viiva-las-vegas-the-engadget-crew-departs-ces/ , scroll halfway down... they are using Macbooks!!!"
You are Kill's
Hi,
I would like to purchase the new LG KE850 Prada, but do not know much about it. Can someone please tell me if it has Wi-Fi? And is it true you can not retrieve a contact from the phone book and call; that you have to input the number manually every time?
Thanks to all who take their time to read this.
Vince.
look, i have the Prada phone. it has a beautiful design. I'm very happy with it and it's really easy to use. as soon as i got it i was already using it like I've had it for years.
about the the buttons at the bottom...its like that for a reason!!....the Prada phone comes with a case...it isn't a soft one and so...if u get a call...(since its touch) the call will automatically answer. so they HAD to make those 3 buttons at the bottom.
and having 3 buttons doesn't cause any problems anyway.
I just ordered this phone, and I'm really excited!
LOUIS VUITON,VERSACHE,BURBERRY,RALPH LAUREN,LACOSTE,PRADA,MANOLO'S IS ...GENIAL IS COOL
I agree! That girl in the photo has some huge man hands, it makes my stumach turn, damn!! Im thinking shemale, ouch! lol!
ok so i have this phone :D [i'm glad i got it] but i have a hard time tryin to get used to
it since i had a blackberry pearl.... i found it wit t-mobile and so far i havent seen any one wit it!
i got mines for $450 w/o tax....
I have this phone (and yes it does work in US) its a very gorgeous phone but other than that there is nothing special....
Recently i unlocked my 3GS 3.1.2 iphone and i want to know if its safe, i used http://www.unlock-iphone.org , please tell me if its safe
The phone being GSM does not preclude it from being used in North America.
it looks beautiful.
The girl in the picture above has the biggest man hand i have ever seen.
oh, the price :) apple ftw
Apple launching in US, LG launching everywhere else. Let the games begin
You can certainly see the Prada design. It really is beautiful.
BTW isn't the US market something like 5-10% of the global mobile phone market?
It does actually look pretty good - especially the black GUI. Button free? Yeah, right! So why does it have 'call answer' and 'call end' buttons below the screen.
My opinion is that the silver-like buttons work against the whole minimalist look. i think the iPhone is more capable than this - and it's bigger size makes it more useful too. I've heard a lot of people complaining about LG's phones build quality.
I totally agree
It's total bullsh** when LG says that they are the first.. Check out this device back from 2003:
http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=547
Yeah, I think that's mentioned in the article too...
"The KE850 comes with a video player supporting MPEG4, H.264, and H.263 for video conferencing"
Lets get this right. How does it have support for video conferencing when this phone doesnt even have a secondary camera neither 3G or HSDPA in the slightest sense?
Though it is bloody sexy phone
Quote: "Like the iPod, it packs a 2 megapixel camera..."
You mean iPhone
Correction.
"...Like the iPod, it packs a 2 megapixel camera..."
You mean the iPhone, right? And I'm still pre-ordering the iPhone.
hey are your eyes blurred ??? it says clearly "Like the IPHONE, it packs a 2 megapixel camera "
I don't know about the phone...
> opting instead for microSD
That's alone is already well worth any promise of Apple.
Simon wrote:
> How does it have support for video conferencing when this phone doesnt even have a secondary camera neither 3G or HSDPA in the slightest sense?
What about Wi-Fi? I have "investigated" my opportunities for video conferencing/alike, and I can say that anyway you look at it - video isn't easy. You always have to prepare environment - random video chat in random place is total waste of bandwidth: you see nothing - your partner(s) see nothing - good if everybody can hear each other.
Probably in future - with some video/voice enhancing technologies and advanced noise cancelation, random phone video conf would be Okay. But right now IMHO it is waste.
The problem with those removable drives is that the manufacturers never fully support the newest cards. So in LG's case you're most likely stuck with a 2gb max card or the ever so irritating card-swapping… I take the integrated 8gb any day.
Simon,
I updated the text. Didn't mean to imply that it worked for video conferencing, only that it included the H.263 video codec normally associated with VC.
Yannik,
True, but it lacks support for GSM 850 thereby limiting coverage and providers.
Thomas
Hahaha Thomas. You guys need to double check before posting ur blogs. Same goes with my previous comment :S Must've been too much bad english from watching english dubbed chinese martial arts movies =P
It still doesn't make sense when phone manufacturers stick a second camera on their phones for VC...
My God.... The Size of her thumb in the 1st pic!! :P
It dont have Wifi ????
Could engadget please stop using Apple as the benchmark for everything? LG unveiled the KE850 nearly a month before Apple unveiled the iPhone, yet the LG is the "lookalike"? How's that fair?
As Yannik pointed out, a tri-band phone will work in America. Yes, it limits your network options, but the iPhone will only "officially" be available on one network also, "thereby limiting coverage and providers".
Also, why the negative spin on expandable storage?
"Could engadget please stop using Apple as the benchmark for everything?"
It IS the benchmark as a) everybody knows the iPhone, b) specs have been available for some time now, something that cannot be said about the KE850.
"Also, why the negative spin on expandable storage?"
Because you can add another $100.
look, apple was the first because apple had been planning on making the iPhone for a LOOOONG time, they just kept it neatly tucked away so they could surprise the world, which they did.
"and oddly, H.263 normally used for video conferencing" ... excuse me? Has anyone EVER seen a phone capable of playing video that DIDN'T support H.263?
Hey Engadget...you might want to correct your article as T-Mobile operates primarily on the 900/1900 GSM bands in the U.S. This phone will work just fine in all T-Mobile coverage areas.
Maybe this is our booby prize for getting screwed by Apple ;)
I'm in Asia, but I'm not buying it.
By 2008, iPhone should have 3G with HSDPA. I'd rather wait for that, even if it takes two more years. By that time too, I'll be able to work on my documents, presentations and spreadsheets on the iPhone, even just minimally.
"...their iPhone look-a-like LG KE850 Prada phone..."
Has someone altered the space-time continuum or is Engadget just ignoring the facts and lapping up Apple/Jobs propaganda. Again.
Hang on, there'll be an anti-Sony article any minute now. And one where Jobs claims they invented the internet. And it will be reported favourably here.
With Verizonwireless leading the U.S in sales in really disturbs me that the newest lastest hottest phones go on junk networks like TM or Cingular. CDMA is the strongest most reliable network in the U.S Tried and Tested! C, mon and give us something better than that cheap Chocolate
Again it just goes to show you, that once the hoopla dies down, and the iPhone really is available in Europe, it will probably be pretty passé.
Yup I'm still p*ssed about Mac(iPhone)world this year having nothing for Mac's in it.
No, iPhone desn't say wha? because Apple already knew about this phone before they launched theirs. You know that. We know that. (Question is for how long before....?)
How much does Jobs pay you guys?
Yup have to agree on the fact that this article makes it look like an iPhone lookalike.
It was anounced BEFORE the iPhone, has already won design awards and to those saying it is expensive that is more than likely the price in Europe without any network connection (which are usually only 12 or 18 months anyway). With a connection the price will be considerably lower through the network subsidies.
If the rumblings about Apple partnering up with Vodafone are true in UK/Europe, and the handset is not available unlocked then it looks like this one will be the handset i'll be picking up (shame as wouldn't have minded passing on my Nano to have the 8GB version).
Im personally not a fan of LG but this looks great. Would love to see a comparative analysis though. How does it compare to Moto Q, blackjack etc..
But here is one site that compared the Moto Q, blackjack, Treo & iPhone.
http://www.zolved.com/blog/view_entry/20146/Is_the_iPhone_better_than_Moto_Q_Blackjack__Treo_a_quick_
When will you guys do this?
Typical LG junk and self-delusional hype as being a 'market innovator' of some sort. Practically every component they use is a foreign invention, while Apple had been developing the iPhone software and design for at least 2 1/2 years. LG in all likelihood simply got wind and decided to copy Apple by releasing its comparatively cheap looking and low tech copy.
As one poster noted, the Finns beat both companies to the punch by 3 years for claim of world's first touch screen phone. But iPhone's revolutionary UI, iPod compatability, Muti-touch interface, OSX, proximity sensor, rich HTML browsing (not WAP) and many other high tech innovations already make the LG clone look like something from 5 years ago. I'll wait 'til June and get the real thing from Jobs & Co, thanks.
It wouldn't be the first time a Korean company has copied Cupertino. Last year Samsung was taken to court for illegally using Apple icons in its phone menus. It might have a similar look on the outside but the software running on the LG copy is lame and simply years behind the iPhone. LG have again mistaken that the revolution Apple demonstrated last week is in function, not just form.
@MLK
You either work for Apple, or are just an idiot. You dismiss LG as "self-delusional hype" but then proceed to call the iPhone a "revolution"! What's actually "revolutionary" or NEW about the iPhone?
To me, it certainly isn't the multi-touch interface which was invented by someone else; the eventual mobile version of a 6 year-old OS; or the iTunes compatability which has already been done. Neither is it the size-of-an-iPod size but size-of-a-nano capacity; camera which everyone has; HTML browser which has been done before; or piece-de-resistance proximity sensor.
In fact, for me, the only things I could think of which might be useful improvements over my current phone are the looks-better-than-Opera web browser and cooler (if not little more functional) interface. These are MORE than offset by the major features it lacks, such as the lack of 3G (why have such a nice browser but only be able to use it at decent speed when you're in range of wifi?) and external memory.
MLK, you've obviously been brainwashed by the slick marketing of Apple. You're
fast to bash other companies as copycats but you forgot that apple was forced to
pay Creative Zen for $400 Million (if i remember correctly) for infringing some of
its patents for mp3 players. So who's the BIG copycat? You may not want to admit it
but its Apple!!!!
I don't know about that comment "first completely touch screen mobile phone." I use to have a Motorola 388c and guess what... it was touch screen only!