LG's 'eye on you' smartphone unveiled in Taiwan

Taipei, March 11 (CNA) South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. unveiled its AKA smartphone in Taiwan on Wednesday, highlighting the device's big animated eyes than can express different emotions.

Aimed at younger buyers, the LG AKA comes with four brightly colored three-quarter length cases that have different names and each changes the "facial expression" on the phone when they are fitted, LG said.

The animated eyes that stare from the uncovered top part of the phone can also let the user know when there is a message or other alerts, according to LG.

The "eye on you" phone will be available in Taiwan stores from March 23 at a mid-range price of NT$9,900 (US$313), LG said.

The 4G smartphone comes with a 5-inch 720p HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory capacity and an 8-megapixel main camera that adopts the laser auto focus technology used in the company's flagship G3 smartphone.

Since the AKA went on sale in LG's home market last November, some 1,500 units per month have been sold, said Jackie Kim, director of mobile business at LG Taiwan, at the Taiwan launch.

Kim said AKA sales in Taiwan are expected average 2,000 to 3,000 units per month and total 20,000 units for the year.

Also on Wednesday in Taiwan, the South Korean company launched its first wearable device designed for children. The KizON provides a simple way for parents to keep track of their children, LG said.

The watch-like device delivers real-time information about the wearer's location and allows direct communication with parents via a call button, LG said.

Kim forecast that sales of the KizON would hit 5,000 units in Taiwan by year-end.

(By Jeffrey Wu)ENDITEM /pc