LG shows new Optimus UI 3.0, icon customization and Speedier

The debate on manufacturer overlays is one that can get rather heated quickly. While we all have our own personal opinion about which is better and why we like them or don’t, the fact is they will never go away. With many of the overlays giving us some great visuals or better experiences, some slow down your device and hinder your experience. LG is looking to clean up their act, much like Samsung and HTC have been doing. Taking their UI and simplifying it a bit more while still offering a different experience.

“With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Both carriers and customers tell us that they want LG phones to look and feel unique and the UI plays a big part in that. LG is really going to push the boundaries of what is possible in user interfaces starting with Optimus UI 3.0.”

We would love to talk to the customers they spoke with… The new LG Optimus UI 3.0 is slated to hit a series of their Ice Cream Sandwich devices and brings some nice twists. For instance, dragging anywhere on the screen to unlock it (Galaxy S III) and an icon customizer to let users set their own icons. The icon aspect is pretty darn cool really, we have all been doing that for years with launchers and apps, now it will be a basic feature on LG devices. Another addition is what they call “QuickMemo”, which lets users take quick notes on-screen, much like the Note. Seems to us that a lot of what LG is doing is already on Samsung devices.

LG Optimus UI 3.0 will officially make its debut this week on in Korea when the LG Optimus LTE II lands. It shouldn’t take long for interested developers to start porting it over to other devices. Interested in know more? Check out the full press release below.

LG’S NEW OPTIMUS UI 3.0 ADDS NEW FEATURES
AND FUNCTIONS WHILE BEING UNOBTRUSIVE AND SIMPLE

New User Interface Makes the LG Smartphone Experience
Faster, Simpler, More Convenient

SEOUL, May 16, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) is introducing a new User Interface (UI) for its newest Android Ice Cream Sandwich devices, aptly named Optimus UI 3.0. Optimus UI 3.0 brings with it an array of enhanced key features, including Quick Memo™ and unique unlock functions, among other new features and functions aimed at improving LG smartphone experience.

“With smartphone hardware becoming more and more similar, it’s important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the competition through the user interface,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Both carriers and customers tell us that they want LG phones to look and feel unique and the UI plays a big part in that. LG is really going to push the boundaries of what is possible in user interfaces starting with Optimus UI 3.0.”

Optimus UI 3.0 is designed with convenience and speed in mind. A powerful memo function called Quick Memoâ„¢ enables users to jot notes on the screen using a finger. Quick Memoâ„¢ in Optimus UI 3.0 allows users to share their thoughts through social networks, text messages and e-mails more conveniently than ever before.

Other new features include:

– the ability to unlock the phone by dragging anywhere on the screen;
– a new Pattern Lock that allows users to preset the most frequently used function, such as the camera, which automatically opens once the phone is unlocked;
– a simpler version of Optimus UI 3.0 for new smartphone users which organizes the main applications so that they are the easiest to access;
– a new Voice Shutter that allows users to capture photos using only voice commands;
– a special camera feature that enables users to pick up the best shot among multiple images including the moment just before the shutter button is depressed;
– an Icon Customizer that provides an additional level of personalization by allowing users to set their own photos as icons and shortcut images;
– the addition of a Download category to the menu for easier organization.

Optimus UI 3.0 will debut on the LG Optimus LTE II launching this week in Korea, followed by LG Optimus 4X HD in June.