New LG-KF700, a touchscreen phone for touchscreen haters

LG have launched the new LG-KF700, a new touchscreen mobile phone that comes with no less than three different input methods. In case the touchscreen wasn't enough for you, you can also use an alphanumeric keypad or a shortcut dial. Which, if you think about it, is a bit odd. If the touchscreen is up to scratch, you shouldn't need the other two forms of input. It's like adding a high-tech Tiptronic gearbox to a car, and then bolting on both a manual and an automatic gearbox just for good measure!

LG's reasoning is that not everyone likes a touchscreen. We realize that touchscreens are a wonderful advancement, but they are not the solution for every problem or every user," said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. "We looked beyond just touch when designing the LG-KF700 and studied how people actually use their phones. The LG-KF700's three separate input methods provide unmatched convenience and mean that users don't have to give up anything to gain a touchscreen."

But surely the idea of a touchscreen is that you give up the older forms of input becaus ethe newer one (the touchscreen) is actually much better? In other words, you're not actually giving anything up, you're gaining an enhanced experience. Just ask an iPhone owner. No matter what you think of the Jesus Phone, its touchscreen interface is almost universally loved (at least for standard numeric input and menu navigation).

Forgive me for being cynical, but this seems a bit like a tacit admission by LG that its toucshcreens aren't all that good, and are a bit, well clunky.

But enough of the cynicism. More details of the LG-KF700 after the jump.
The LGKF700 touchscreen phone in detail

From the press release:

The LG-KF700 is the first phone to integrate three separate input methods, including a 3-inch touchscreen, alpha-numeric keypad and Shortcut Dial. Each of these input methods is assigned to the tasks at which it is most best suited, creating a user-optimized interface and making all of the phone’s functions and features instantly accessible.

“LG has already established itself as a leader in phones with touch technology with Chocolate, the Prada Phone by LG and Viewty, and the LG-KF700 continues this legacy,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. “We realize that touchscreens are a wonderful advancement, but they are not the solution for every problem or every user. We looked beyond just touch when designing the LG-KF700 and studied how people actually use their phones. The LG-KF700’s three separate input methods provide unmatched convenience and mean that users don’t have to give up anything to gain a touchscreen.”
The LG-KF700's three input features

The LG-KF700’s 3-inch full touchscreen provides easy access to features and widgets, an adaptive onscreen interface and a wide aspect ratio that is perfect for watching movies or browsing the internet.

The Shortcut Dial on the back of the phone quickly scrolls through six user-selected features by controlling a virtual dial on screen, eliminating the need to dig through menus. The Shortcut Dial can also be used to zoom in on web pages, scroll through e-mails or adjust volume.

The third input method on the LG-KF700 is its alpha-numeric keypad, a feature that customers asked LG to retain because of its familiarity and because it simplifies the process of making phone calls and is excellent for typing text messages.

Together, the LG-KF700’s input methods become even more powerful. When browsing the internet on the wide touchscreen, the shortcut dial zooms in and out on websites. When sending text messages, the alpha-numeric keypad provides all of the letters, while frequently used symbols are readily available on the touchscreen. These symbols change based on users text messaging habits.
Web browsing on the LG-KF700

One of the LG-KF700’s powerful multimedia features is a full featured Web browser that provides full access to Google Search, Blogs, Gmail, Maps and Youtube. Support for HSDPA 3G networks* makes web browsing extremely fast and makes other features like video telephony possible. Other features include an MP3 player, MPEG4 video player, 3.0-megapixel camera, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

All of the phone’s multimedia features are packed into a slim and stylish package with a clean, minimalist look. The LG-KF700 is available in black and silver versions, as well as a black version with chrome accents.

LG first announced the LG-KF700 at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where it met an enthusiastic reception. The phone is now available in Europe and will become available in other markets in the following months.