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LG Optimus 3D: what you need to know

The world’s first 3D smartphone is here, and we have good and bad news: the good news is that you don’t need to run around with a pair of silly 3D specs on your head, and the bad news is that it isn’t on sale yet.

Here’s what you need to know about the LG Optimus 3D specifications, UK release date and 3D screen.

The LG Optimus 3D specifications are fairly impressive

In addition to that 4.3-inch WVGA delivering glasses-free 3D, the LG Optimus 3D specifications include a 1GHz dual-core OMAP4 processor, 8GB of storage, HSPA+ and DLNA support, HDMI 1.4, dual 5-megapixel cameras and a 1,500mAh battery. The Optimus 3D can record and play back video at 1080p resolution in 2D and 720p resolution in 3D.

The LG Optimus 3D software is currently Android 2.2

The pre-production model we played with was running a vanilla version of Android 2.2 Froyo, and while LG says an upgrade to Gingerbread is “possible” it didn’t say how soon that upgrade would be.

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3-D Channels to Begin Broadcasting Full Time

Two 3-D television channels will start broadcasting full time in the next week.

Discovery, Sony and IMAX said Thursday that their 3-D joint venture, 3net, would begin televising on Sunday night. That’s one day before ESPN turns ESPN 3D into a 24-hour channel.

Around-the-clock broadcasting is an important step for both channels, but there is still little to watch in 3-D, so the channels will repeat the same shows over and over again.

3net says it will have about 20 original hours of programming in February. On Sunday, 3net will start up at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and show three nature documentaries: “China Revealed” at 8, “Into The Deep 3D” at 9 and “Forgotten Planet” at 10.

“We’ve had a ton of interest” in the channel, said Tom Cosgrove, the chief executive of 3net.

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Will new passive 3D TVs help the technology catch on at home?

3D is the next big thing for home entertainment. Or at least that’s what 3D TV manufacturers and countless blogs want you to believe. The truth is, the new technology (based on old technology) is struggling to catch on. Chalk it up to the persistent economic crisis, consumer ambivalence and those damn clunky glasses. Oh, and the high cost of entry – let’s not forget about that.

Vizio, LG and Toshiba are three companies lining up a few less sticker shock-inducing alternatives. But will consumers bite?

“Passive 3D” is essentially the cheaper solution for home 3D TVs, using movie theater-style glasses as opposed to the pricier active shutter home models. ConsumerReports.org’s Electronic Blog went hands-on with one such passive set this week: the VT3D650SV – Vizio’s new 65-inch behemoth. Now, “cheaper” here is likely nowhere near what most would expect or hope for; Vizio’s first foray into passive 3D runs $3,700.

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LG Planning On Bringing Passive 3D TV Sets To The UK

The electronics company, LG, is introducing passive-polarization 3DTVs to the UK market in a bid to encourage a wider adoption rate of their TVs. The passive technology means that viwers will be able to use polarized glasses instead of shutter glasses. The passive polarized glasses are far cheaper for the consumer in comparison in the active-shutter variety. Passive polarized glasses will only cost around £1 instead of the £100 that the active-shutter glasses would cost.

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Panasonic, Best Buy Partner On 3D TV (InformationWeek)

The consumer electronics firm joins rivals Samsung and Sony in championing 3D TV home systems.

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Samsung unveils new 3D TV technology, says Canadian launch coming March 26 (Fort Frances Times)

TORONTO — Early adopters can buy a new 3D TV by the end of the month, Samsung said Wednesday, although it remains to be seen how many consumers will be willing to pay a premium for a technology in its infancy.

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Panasonic, Best Buy double down on 3D TV (CNET)

Panasonic announces availability of an exclusive 3D TV bundle at Best Buy stores, featuring a plasma TV and 3D-compatible Blu-ray player.

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