LG and Vodafone live! mix fashion with technology

LG and Vodafone live! mix fashion with technology to make Chocolate

Auckland, 18 January 2007: LG Electronics Australasia and Vodafone New Zealand have today unveiled 2007’s must-have 3G mobile phone - the chic, sleek and stylish LG Chocolate (KU800).

Visually stunning, the LG Chocolate combines rich 3G Vodafone live! capabilities with a unique high-tech touch keypad – a world first for mobile phones. When closed, the phone appears completely black with its ‘hidden screen’ out of view. Upon activating the slide, the phone comes alive, and the signature design feature of glowing red arrow icons appear, completing the phone’s unique look.

With lavish features, Chocolate is LG’s first Vodafone handset in New Zealand, its first 3G handset in Asia Pacific and comes from LG’s premium Black Label Series of mobile phones. The first in the Black Label Series was the KG800 handset, the 2G variant that has notched up sales of over 7.5 million units in other markets worldwide. Designed with slim minimalism and sleek style, the LG Chocolate phone breaks the mould in how handsets look and feel without compromising on functionality.

As the world’s first mobile phone featuring a touch-keypad, the LG Chocolate phone will become the must-have handset for those who value progressive design and revolutionary technology.

“LG’s Chocolate phone brings something totally new to the mobile market - the design innovative handset category. Its unique design totally sets it apart from the competition. It satisfies both the aesthetic and technological needs of sophisticated consumers,” said Carli Wilson, Marketing Manager of Mobile Communications, LG Electronics Australia and New Zealand.

“We can now see that consumers are choosing handsets that reflect their personality, style and attitude rather than simply choosing a handset with the latest feature, as was the case only a few years ago. The Chocolate phone was developed representing LG’s firm belief that technology is nothing without design.

"We strive to make all our products look great, and the Chocolate phone raises the standard of how mobile phones look and feel. LG has raised the bar in terms of style and technological innovation,” she said.

Key features of the KU800 include:

• Rich Expandable Memory: The Chocolate phone features a Micro SD card compatible expandable memory. Providing excellent music and sound quality, it is perfect for music on the move with Vodafone live!

• Decadent Picture and Sound Quality: The inbuilt 2 megapixel camera and video ensure gorgeous images are taken every time, whilst the MP3/AAC music player offers exceptional quality of sound.

• Smooth Navigation: The ground-breaking high-tech touch keypad enhances navigation and its illuminated red backlight sets it apart from its competitors.

• Slim Slide: The 17.1mm and 98g ultra slim slide phone is a definitive leader in slender style.

The New Zealand launch of the 3G Chocolate phone is the first in Australasia and one of LG’s first Vodafone live! compatible handsets worldwide.

“We are excited about introducing New Zealanders to LG’s mobile phones with the launch of Chocolate in this market. Overall, we sold approximately 1 million LG handsets throughout Australia in 2006 and believe that we have a fantastic opportunity to work with Vodafone New Zealand to bring Chocolate to sophisticated, style-savvy Kiwis,” said Carli.

Launched in Korea in November 2005, the original 2.5G LG Chocolate phone (KG800) sold over 300,000 units in three months, claiming over 7 per cent of the total handset market in arguably the world’s most competitive marketplace for mobile communications. It also won two European design awards – the iF Design Award and the Red dot Design Award - for its unique styling and user interface.

Available now through all Vodafone outlets and dealers, the KU800 comes in a specially developed and delicious black finish and is priced at RRP $799.

For more information on LG’s range of mobile handsets please call 0800 666 780 or visit www.lgmobile.com.

ENDS

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