AT&T announced this morning that the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update for the LG Optimus G (our review) is live. Users can pull the update through their phone on WiFi and then move forward with their lives on the best version of Android to date. With 4.1, you’ll see enhanced notifications, an insanely fast UI thanks to Project Butter, and most importantly, Google Now. 

We have been patiently waiting since the start of the year to see what the first phone would be that Verizon would release. We had hopes that it could be the Galaxy S4 or maybe even an HTC One variant, but alas we are left with the LG Lucid 2. This sequel to the mid-range Lucid won’t impress you with its specs, highlighted by just a 4.3″ qHD display and the Jelly Bean OS.

Benchmarks were recently filed through GL Benchmark that point directly towards the upcoming LG Optimus G2 for T-Mobile. Previously, we discussed this device for two main reasons – first that it would be launched possibly running Android 5.0 aka Key Lime Pie, and that it would come powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor. Today, we can start the process of confirming at least one part of that, as the device has shown up as the LG D801, sporting the MSM8974 (800). 

And the Nexus 5 rumors are here! Over the weekend, a couple of tech outlets tossed out what they believe to be specs for the next Google-inspired mobile device as provided by well-placed insiders (or trolls). Rumors suggest that LG will produce the phone, just as they did the Nexus 4 with the image included above being a prototype design for it. But after this incredibly questionable rumor surfaced, another report claims that this is nothing more than a fantasy list and that the actual device will be much more in line with current handsets, but the camera will use a “triple camera sensor thing.” I’m not kidding, that’s the official quote. Let’s jump below and walk through a breakdown of the situation.

Spoiler alert – it all mostly sounds like garbage. 

Someone on LG’s marketing street team is a genius. This morning, new billboards went up in Times Square, directly over Samsung’s “The Next Galaxy” ad that reads, “LG Optimus is here 4 you now!”

We know that Samsung spent $400+ million dollars on marketing Galaxy last year alone, but it’s starting to look like they should have spent just a tad bit more. Well played, LG.

You mad, Sammy?

Via: Engadget

When Samsung takes the stage tomorrow to announce the Galaxy S4, we are expecting them to announce at least one new eye recognition feature for TouchWiz (I don’t care what Bloomberg says). Thanks to leaked builds of their custom skin for both the Galaxy S3 and S4, an eye scrolling feature for browsers and emails could arrive, but we should also see one that will recognize your eyes as you watch a video. If you were take your eyes away from your screen as a clip is playing, your phone will recognize the change and stop playback. As you return your focus from wherever it was, the clip should then kick back on.

Sounds fun, right? Well, in an attempt to steal some of Samsung’s fire, LG has gone ahead and announced the exact same start/stop eye recognition feature for their very own Optimus G Pro. 

Looks like HTC’s One X and the OG RAZR have some company today, as Sprint also announced it will be pushing out Android 4.1.2 to their LG Optimus G owners. The Optimus G (review here) is an important device for a couple main reasons, the biggest being that it most likely helped LG land the deal with Google to create the Nexus 4, which pretty much brought the company back onto the good side of US consumers.

The update will bring everything that we know and love about 4.1 to the device – expandable notifications, Google Now, etc. If you are the owner of this device, go grab it and enjoy that fresh dessert!

Via: Sprint

This morning, an upcoming Verizon device from LG named the Lucid 2, has been spotted and plastered onto the web. The Lucid 2 will resonate with a large category of people who want access to 4G LTE devices, but for a budget-friendly price. The phone will feature a 4.3″ qHD display, 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, and a 5MP camera.

The device is expected to launch onto Big Red sometime within the next month.

Via: Unwired View