LG unveils world's first 'time-machine' DMB phone

LG has built a standard home TV antenna function into the new phone to receive broadband DMB that adopts the DMB-receiving System-on-Chip (SoC). The chip enables users to watch television broadcasts and talk on the phone at the same time. The phone stores broadcasts in the memory that have been received while the phone is used as a communications device, and replays it afterwards allowing for continuous viewing.

"This phone has opened up a new world where people can watch terrestrial DMB TV and simultaneously speak via a mobile phone,"

said K H Kim, President, LG Electronic Middle East and Africa Operations. "The phone uses our handset design technologies and terrestrial broadcast-receiving chip, giving it the competitive edge in size, performance, and convenience. By overtaking Europe in launching the terrestrial DMB phone, we can have a bigger voice in setting global standards."

The phone features a rotating LCD screen that allows users to conveniently watch digital media broadcasts. Its multi-tasking features also allow users to send and receive short text messages while speaking over the phone or watching TV. The phone delivers 3D quality stereo sounds.

The SB-120 is equipped with two mega-pixel auto-focus camera, a picture clarity enhancement mobile XD-engine, and a 2.2-inch QVGA (Quarter Video Graphics Array) LCD screen, allowing users to watch clear-picture broadcasts.

"LG's mobile phone portfolio includes handsets with highly specialised functions like camera/camcorder capabilities, MP3 players, 3D gaming, PDA and instant messaging. Over the next three years, mobile phones will be the number one entertainment gadget and the expansion of mobile phone capability will spur major content improvements," added Kim.

With worldwide handset sales forecast to reach one billion a year by 2009, according to Gartner Incorporated, advanced technology phones are expected to occupy an increasingly lucrative part of the global mobile market. According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, LG has retained the fourth position in handset sales globally, with a 7.4 per cent market share in 2005. The company currently ranks among the world's four largest handset makers, which includes Nokia and Motorola.