11:31AM No Jim Nantz?
11:30AM LG is shifting its focus from featurephones to smartphones in 2010 — looks like the LG Expo is just the beginning, or so they say. Like college hoops? Expect to see lots of LG ads during CBS broadcasts. Sports analyst James Brown is on screen talking the “Something Better” company line.
11:28AM Now it’s time for a staged Q&A with the marketing guys… we’ll think about all the VUDU, DivX and music that can fit on the new Blu-ray player’s hard drive while they talk ad campaigns for the next couple minutes.
11:26AM LG’s Ultra Slim LCD panel is down to just 6.9mm thick for a local dimming LED backlit display (240 zones.) It’s spinning on stage right now — beautiful from the front, but nearly invisible from the side.
11:24AM LG targeted 3m ton reduction in Co2 last year and managed a 5.2 million ton drop, so breathe easy
11:23AM Mobile DTV – over 144 locations in the U.S., he’s watching TV on stage right now. C’mon man, we’re working here
11:22AM LGs new phones feature Meta Material Antenna, with Windows Mobile 6.5 and 7 phones coming this years. Including the Expo with Snapdragon.
11:21AM NAS with built in Blu-ray burner is up next, low standby power requirements. Keeping up the netwrok theme Network Monitors allow up to 30 users to work off of one PC, at least until someone starts watching a 1080p YouTube video, we figure.
11:19AM “Magic TV remote” — Gyros and accelerometer inside to provide a mouse-like experience on your HDTV. But can we play Wii Tennis with it?
11:18AM Trumotion now goes to 480Hz courtest of a brand new chip that makes it fast enough to process 3D. New plasmas, LCDs and a brand new LCoS 3D PJ that autocalibrates for 3D
11:17AM New addition to Netcast services — DivX TV. Bringing 35 different internet video services streaming straight to LG HDTVs and Blu-ray players. All network connected TVs have the Skype and Netcast features.
11:16AM New LG Blu-ray players feature built in hard drive, menus that adjust for the weather outside.
11:16AM Apparently not everyone has Engadget’s internet connection in this cramped ballroom — the framerate is a bit choppy but it worked.
11:15AM Now it’s Skype’s turn, with the webcam’s mentioned the other day, — oh snap, we’re about to be on a live HD video call via TV right now.
11:14AM Last year “people loved” wireless HDMI TVs, but there was only one model. ON the new joints? Wireless ready. Add a dongle to the back of the TV if you want it, avoid the extra cost if you don’t. Most of LGs TVs in 2010 will be wireless ready.
11:13AM “The father of HDTV” Dr. Woo Paik, CTO is up next – this guy knows what we’re for. Freeom through Infinite Possibilities is on the screen, our expectations are high.
11:12AM #2 in the U.S. for mobile phones. Really? We might not have guessed.
First up, the new Infinia line of LCDs with local dimming LEDs — luckily they’ve got an expert up next to talk it. 3D glasses on kids!
11:10AM “Live borderless with LG” bet we’ll hear that tagline again before this event is over, but for now it’s all brand this, percentages that. LCD & Plasma sales spiked in the second half of ‘09.
11:08AM Next up, Jim Shad — we’re not seeing a watchphone on his wrist, Putin would be disappointed.
11:05AM LG’s still balling in a recession, reporting record profits in 2009, with plans to keep that up in 2010.
11:04AM First up, some corporate shifting, with a new exec topping the North American division. We give props to the boss Wayne Park, but there will be more if he pops up some cool tech in the next 45 minutes or so,
11:02AM It’s early, even the execs are stumbling over their words, but John Taylor is at the podium talking about what the new decade will bring for LG. Says they’ll get on with it — we hope so.
We’re getting ready fo the first (of many) press conferences of the day, LG figures to unload all manner of new HDTVs, mobile TV and who knows what else. Watch Phone anyone? Things start in another minute or two, so hang on.