LG KB770 with DVB-T

A 3.5G touchscreen phone with an integrated digital TV tuner, the LG KB770 is an impressive looking multimedia monster that competes directly against iPhone class handsets, but it is just a little bit different enough to be distinctive.

The LG KB770 has a large 3" 400 x 240 pixel touchscreen display, but the key feature here is the KB770's DVB-T tuner which allows it to receive free-to-air digital TV broadcasts. In this respect, the KB770 is very like the LG HB620T, but this PDA-style format perhaps lends itself to television better.

In case you're confused by the letter soup that accompanies modern TV broadcasts, then DVB-T is the standard digital terrestrial signal that you might watch on your digital TV at home or via a set-top box. Unlike some other "TV capable" phones, this means that no special infrastructure is required. By comparison, the Nokia N96 uses the different DVB-H system which has much more limited coverage. On the other hand, DVB-H should have a lower power drain and give a more seamless viewing experience while on the move.

Remember though this is actually a mobile phone, and underneath this is a tri-band GSM device with WCDMA 2100 and support for GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and HSPDA data - in other words this is a 3G/3.5G capable device, but one aimed primarily at Europe. One thing missing from the LG KB770 is WiFi support, which is odd.

On the back is a 3 megapixel digital camera with autofocus, with a secondary camera on the front for video calling. The maximum video capture resolution is 320 x 240 pixels at 15 fps, which is adequate but not as good as many rivals. The LG KB770 also comes with a microSD slot, stereo Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The software includes a comprehensive multimedia player, email client, web browser and a personal information management application. Another omission from the KB770 is GPS - it would have been an ideal device for personal satellite navigation.

Despite all the features, the LG KB770 only weighs 109 grams (according to LG), and measures 108 x 53 x 14mm which isn't too bad for a device with a large display like this. Maximum talktime is quoted as 4 hours with up to 12 days standby time. We aren't certain of the viewing time for television transmissions.

LG say that the KB770 will be available in Germany from November onwards for a SIM-free retail price of about €449 (around £360). There's no word on the KB770's availability in other countries.

This is an impressive device, but just think how much more impressive it would have been with WiFi and GPS.. and perhaps a more sexy name than the "KB770".

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