“LG Electronics has unveiled the fruits of a mobile phone design partnership with Italian fashion goods maker Prada,” Martyn Williams reports for Macworld UK.
“The front face of the LG-KE850 phone is dominated by a large touch-screen display and little else, which at first glance means it looks a lot like Apple’s recently announced iPhone,” Williams reports. “A comparison of the tech-specs reveals that the Apple product is superior in several areas, including screen resolution, data networking ability and internal memory… The phone is a tri-band GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) model (900/1800/1900MHz) with support for EDGE data transmission.”
“It will go on sale first in late February through Prada shops in the UK, France, Germany and Italy. It will cost around €600 [US$777]. In March it will begin appearing in stores in Asia including Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, said LG. A version for the Korean market is due out in the second quarter,” Williams reports. “LG has no plans to put it on sale in the US, said Judy Pae, a spokeswoman for the company in Seoul.”
Full article here.
Wait a second, according to Microsoft’s genius CEO Steve Ballmer, Apple was going to have the most expensive keyboard-less phone by far ever in the marketplace?
[Please suspend belief and forget about all of the other so-called “smartphones” that were released at higher prices than Apple’s iPhone which, of course, has a keyboard.]
Now LG goes and screws it all up for Microsoft’s genius CEO Steve Ballmer.
Now the big decision: Should we go with a user interface for an electronic device developed by Apple or one developed by LG/Prada? What a conundrum! We’ll tackle that one right after we decide whether to get a 4×4 developed by Jeep or one developed by Yugo/Prada.
Apple’s iPhone user interface “is the result of years of research and development” and “boy, have we patented it.” – Apple CEO Steve Jobs, January 09, 2007
Related article:
LG undecided about lawsuit against iPhone over similarities to LG’s Prada phone – January 16, 2007
Video of how Apple’s rumored touch-screen Tablet Mac could work – February 13, 2006
How about a Jeep designed by Prada? That might be nice.
One of these is a sows ear.
You can guess which.
I would think that Prada’s involvement was the exterior of the phone and that LG designed the UI.
They obviously didn’t copy off of Apple because very few people outside the company knew what the iPhone looked like before last week. But, wait for the impersonators to come out of the woodwork like they did with the iPod. They will come.
MW = “came” (ordinarily this would provoke a lot of jokes on my part but the fact that it fits with my last sentence is just plain freaky!
I love my Prada clothes. The way they look anyhow. Cheap shit falls apart.
I’m getting one
life is now
Microsoft and its CEO Ballmer don’t know about things they SHOULD know about.
If he were starting a new company today, I doubt a venture capitalist would go near him.
I thought they made designer tools for cowboys.
Last time I looked, 777 euros = $1000 US. Have I been caught in a time warp?
Therefore it is more expensive with less feature…..cool. Hope europeans snap it up.
The Devil wears Prada.
a couple cups of coffee followed by quite a “ballmer”, if I may say so, and Friday begins. NEXT!!!!
And Apple obviously didn’t copy off of them either. We can sure see that now that this unimpressive thing has been released.
whoops…didn’t have my morning coffee yet….sorry
The article says it costs 600 Euros not 777. Still quite a bit higher than the iPhone though.
I buy from underpants from Prada.
LG unveils iPhone-like Prada mobile phone?
Way to skew the reporting. Isn’t Apple going to be releasing a Prada-like phone…. and six months down the road no less? The kool-aid must be extra sugary today.
and for the record yes I know that’s not an MDN created headline.
I buy from underpants from Prada.
Missing my coffee too… I buy my underpants from Prada.
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iPhone-like? What, a black face? Because that seems to be where the resemblence ends.
And why isn’t Steve Ballmer whining about it’s price?
People have NO CLUE!
Bozos
S.
I’d rather have a Hummer! And iPhone integration. Hello?
We’ve been hearing from critics that Apple is ignoring the marketplace with respect to keyboards. Does this mean LG is also ignorning the marketplace — of course not. It means the stupid critics haven’t figured out that markets can shift with new technology.
proximty sensor on the LG?
Is there a difference between ‘touch screen’ and “multi-touch screen” that the iPhone has? (which Steve wittered on about how they are protecting all the patents)
Please smart people; answer that question like you know what you are talking about.
m
Is this type of phone exactly a surprise? Considering that pmp’s have been moving in this direction, it was only a matter of time. What makes iPhone interesting is the UI specifically, and its ‘blank slate’ quality for increased functionality over time. People get hung up about who’s first and that there are superficial cosmetic differences. Big deal.
I bet when LG was preparing this phone, they didn’t have as grand a view for it as iPhone has had during development. Just calling it Prada suggests they’re trying to appeal to high end consumers based on name and cachet. No matter what, it’s an LG. After iPhone’s announcement, I bet they had a realization that iPhone is really a hand-held platform that Apple can continue to expand over time. They’re now probably crapping kimchi trying to think of ways to make this phone into a platform, too. The thing is, they don’t have the sort of ecosystem that Apple has.
iPhone will do just fine. Will everyone have one? Absolutely not. It will be an object of desire for a while. In 2002, when I started showing around my first iPod, it was like that, too. I’d get the “that’s cool, but so expensive” mantra thrown at me. Now, about 90% of them have their own.
iPhone is a first foot in the door. It’s damn good for a first shot– just imagine the potential of what’s coming!
Capt. Obvious.
LG just “unveiled” their phone, they are not shipping it until late Feb.
Seeing as how Apple “unveiled” their iPhone first I can see how the Prada would be iPhone like.
Maybe when the thing ships you can say Apple is shipping a Prada like device in June. But not ’til LG ships.
Touch screens are not new.
This has been the logical evolution of phones.
Apple does it better because it has more to offer in the way of software, design, etc, etc..
ccap1,
Actually, LG unveiled their phone first on December 19,2006. Several weeks before Apple unveiled iPhone on January 9, 2007.
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/first-pictures-of-the-lg-prada-phone-222990.php
I could be wrong but I am pretty sure the Prada UI was designed by Microsoft. Maybe not though. The numbers on the dial pad do go from left to right. Microsoft’s copies do tend to be bass ackwards.
The Devil may wear Prada, but I pretty sure he uses Microsoft!
How many ways are there to draw a numeric keypad on a touch screen? Like a microwave oven?
I heard that trademarks are hard to enforce if there is only really one way to perform a function. The movie showing the navigation on the LG shows it is entirely different.
Would Microsoft employ Ballmer if he applied for a management job today?
The reaction of Microsofties show exactly why the iPod has remained king of the hill for so long. Remember what Bill Gates said after the first bubble iMacs came out? “Oh yeah,” he said sarcastically, “it’s so hard to do colors.”
Yep. To people like Gates, the iMacs were all about superficial colors. The iPod was also just about superficial fashion. Macs are also so superficial because they are just pretty, toy computers (this attitude is captured so subtly by John Hodgman in the Mac-PC TV ads).
And so we see the same kind of superficial analysis of the Apple iPhone. “Oh, they look similar so it must be exactly the SAME!” Idiots.
You could probably wrap a Model T in a Lexus frame and sell these people a “genuine certified Lexus” because oh yeah, looking the same means performing the same (not).
Capt. Obvious
You got a point there.
but
The headline you took issue with states LG unveils, not gizmodo or prada or anyone else so
officially you are not correct, as LG unveiled yesterday.
So even though you are factually correct in some case your post is still off a bit I think, logically.
I have an LG dehumidifier in my basement. I might also have some other LG appliances too.. none of them are computers… just suck water out of the air.. or cool my food.
With over 200 patents by Apple for the iPhone, LG should’ve infringed on a few, right?
Not counting diamond-studded, gold-encrusted, “bling bling” vanity phones, I think the most expensive cell phone right now is the Bang & Olufsen Serene phone by Samsung at $1,300. http://www.serenemobile.com/
When will the articles start with the “iPhone killer”. Every body and his momma will be coming out with an “iPhone killer” sold at WalMart, KMart and QuickieMart.
Let the buyer beware!
MDM magic work = cold as in “Cold blooded POS copying”
“LG has no plans to put it on sale in the US, said Judy Pae, a spokeswoman for the company in Seoul.”
—
That tells you what you need to know. The LG Prada Crappolla phone violates Apple’s patents in the US.
Besides, with it’s $800 price point, it will fade into oblivion in no time.
Now, wait a minute. I just celebrated the first anniversary with my JEEP Grand Cherokee and now I find out there is going to be a 4X4 Yugo Prada?(The Yada?)
Y’all ain’t just messin with me, are ya? I know most Yugos aren’t even one wheel drive (I think that was the Pravda model) but this one will surely have leather that has been cleaned and tanned this time. And hopefully they won’t use as much plastic. It’s not so bad on the dash but I prefer a metal frame…
And just think, when you drive around and see broke down vehicles, you’ll be like “Yada, Yada, Yada”
Matter of fact, maybe that’s what LG ought to name their phone! The Prada Yada!!!
“A patent in the hand is worth two in the nuts.”
— Rasterbator
Again MacDailyNews is the biggest Apple Fanboy site in the world! Of course Apple can do nothing wrong and everyone else sucks! They slam Prada and LG? Prada being one of the most highest quality fashion design company in the world. How about some honest fair shake at things instead of being ultra biased! I love Macs and have been using them for many years but the relentless Apple fanboy commentary makes me puke.
@http
I’d be happy if it just made you leave.
‘One of the most highest quality?’ Yeah. Windows users are smarter.
Look… Here comes Apple’s legal department!
To Grammar Troll Hey dumbass can’t you read I’m a Mac user!!! I guess you have no idea what the company Prada is, do a wiki search and get informed you ignorant bastard!
To outie no thanks I’ll stick around.
Love pissing off the Fanboys! YEAH!! I do love Macs and use OSX, I have three Macs and 4 ipods. But I’m not a Fanboy! I look at different products without bias. Yes I do think Macs are better than PC’s but I’m not willing to worship Stevie J like all you Fanboys! He’s a thief just like Bill Gates and all those greedy white collar bastards that are robbing the average consumer! GREED PEOPLE!
I hear ya, http
I can’t wait till those white collar bastards at Prada rob my average ass to the tune of a new Prada Yada! Viva the Neverlution!!!
Diddo! No one is an exception!
LG won’t even support the Macintosh. Like we don’t exist, I guess we gotta show them too!!!
s there a difference between ‘touch screen’ and “multi-touch screen” that the iPhone has? (which Steve wittered on about how they are protecting all the patents)
Please smart people; answer that question like you know what you are talking about.
Yes.
Next Question.
Here is the most expensive cell phone (and it doesn’t have a keyboard):
http://www.marketnews.ca/news_detail.asp?nid=2270
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/page.asp?id=54
I saw a video on YouTube (
) of some french guy demonstrating the Prada phone and it’s similarities to the iPhone. Notice how the iPhone uses contacts compared to the Prada phone, it’s much more advanced and refined at the same time. Notice the lag when he presses buttons. The audio player in the Prada phone is not even in the same league as the iPhone. The list view only seems to display 3 songs at once (?!?) and there is no cover art or Cover Flow of course. Where is the scrolling? Safari? Multi-Touch zooming (the pinch)?
The people claiming the Prada phone is so similar to the iPhone can’t see the forest for the trees. While the two phones are superficially similar, the actual user experience is much easier and more advanced with the iPhone.
It’s pretty clear the LG Prada Crappolla is an iPhone rip off.
It must be pretty pathetic working for LG. Imagine your Korean boss threatening to rip your head off as you desperately surf Mac rumor sites to get a clue about what Apple’s up to next so you can copy it.
But, slapping the Prada label onto a gimmick handset doesn’t automatically make it high quality, or functional for that matter (see emaN’s post).
BTW – http -, you Prada fanboy you, YOU make perfect hypocritical sense up there. Get a life buddy.
Oblivion
I’m sure these manufacturers in the East run in similiar circles, and have their own rumor mill. I wouldn’t be surprised if LG dropped a big dime to another “factory worker” for a scoop-just enough info to allow them a good roadmap. Happens in the auto world all the time.
LG makes very good phones and this one looks excellent as well not to mention the chic appeal of the Prada name. Prada iss, after all, the Apple Corp. of the fashion world. The clearly haven;t ripped off Apple as theirs is at a more advanced stage of development. It could just be a coincidence but I have to say the Prada phone looks like a very nice bit of work. Check it out on youtube and see for yourself. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the down-the-pipe iphone but it has a tastefully subdued interface devoid of the garish icons on the iphone. And begore you say anything ( and I am sure you will) I have been using apple computers since the IIc ( loved it though strictly speaking it was not a Mac) and I currently have 3 Macs in my home and some happily bouyant Apple shares that I bought at $13.
Ok. Just saw that the Prada number opens word documents…I’m sold. No word on that from the mothership.
iPhone Owned The Prada Phone xD Owned.
LG ripped off Apple?
How the hell did they manage that when they brought out their device in DECEMBER! They even won a design award for it!
How F’ing stupid can some of you dumb asses get? Remove a little of the Jobs jizz from you eyes and maybe you can see.
i already av lg ke800 n recommends e1 nt to go for any of lgz mobile coz they always forget to take care of imp things… battery tym, ring tone of their choices rings when some1 calls, slow, all it has is a look… lolz lg is joke when it comes to mobile market…
i am white but my neck is red
james beart is gay
suck my hairy white ass lg
i want to se u but naked
has anybody seen my ass?
“We’ll tackle that one right after we decide whether to get a 4×4 developed by Jeep or one developed by Yugo/Prada.”
Interesting comment considering LG have been making phones for a little while now whereas Apple are total newbees at the idea…so infact it’s more like would you rather a phone made by a known manufacturer who has experience in making phones or go with the new haribo/apple phone because they make cool mp3 players and look pretty….
I just got the LG Prada — I’ll be developing opensource applications on it and several other things. I’ll buy a domain name, etc.
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I don’t think prada ripped off apple because prada is just getting into the touch screen look which most makes before iphone were using
i have NO CLUE WHAT HALF OF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?!!?
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can you say it simpler please?
in words i will understand?
besides, iphones are much better. this prada thing is just a gay knock-off that’s more expensive. it cant possibly compete.
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ha.
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