Just a couple of weeks ahead of the rumored launch of its latest flagship smartphone, LG reveals it will be unboxing three new tablets in three different sizes.
LG announced Monday that it will be launching three new G Pad models - the G Pad 7.0, G Pad 8.0 and G Pad 10.1, in addition to its G Pad 8.3, which is currently well-received by the community of technology enthusiasts save for its premium price tag. The 7-inch, 8-inch and 10.1-inch new tablets will debut at the MedPI tradeshow in Monaco on May 13.
"Customers tell us that they want a wider range of devices that offer sizable screens without compromising portability. Unlike smartphones, tablets are not one-size-fits-all. So we designed the G Pad series for a diverse target audience, some who prioritize portability while others want the best multimedia experience possible. G Pad delivers on all counts," says LG president and chief executive Jong-seok Park.
Information on the specifications and hardware features is scant, but the official press images show the G Pad tablets will likely have a plastic chassis, a rear camera and onscreen buttons. LG says the new G Pad tablets will feature QPair 2.0, an updated version of that launched in G Pad 8.3, which allows the user to wirelessly connect his LG smartphone with his G Pad so the tablet can receive notifications of calls and messages. The G Pad trio will also feature Knock Code, a mechanism for unlocking the screen by tapping on a personalized knock pattern.
If the new tablets are anything like the G Pad 8.3, they could very well be the first LG tablets with the potential to make a splash in the U.S. market, where LG is more known for its smartphones but not any tablets.
"LG's G Pad is a nice surprise. For a company that's only ever tried to make its mark in the U.S. with smartphones, this 8.3-inch tablet is a welcome change of pace and a solid Android option, to boot," writes Joseph Volpe of Engadget in a detailed review of LG's first tablet.
However, he notes that the G Pad 8.3 falls in the pricing department as other tablets in the same 8-inch display category cost much less than LG's offering. The new Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX, which both sport high-resolution displays that can match up to the G Pad's, both cost $230, while the G Pad is priced steeply at $350. Outside of Android, Apple's 7.9-inch last-generation iPad mini retails at $299.
"If only LG had knocked the G Pad's price down by $100 so it could better compete with other smaller-screened tablets," says Volpe.
LG will announce further details of the new G Pad models, including pricing and availability "in the weeks ahead."
