Although Mobile World Congress has been cancelled, companies still have their product cycles and have to reveal new devices ahead of launch in the coming months. LG today announced its new high-end smartphone, the V60 ThinQ 5G, which is based on Qualcomm’s newest flagship platform, features a new camera setup, and has one of the largest displays on the market.
As one would expect from a premium 2020 Google Android smartphone, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 SoC alongside the Snapdragon X55 modem as well as the FastConnect 6800 subsystem that supports Wi-Fi 6. Meanwhile, the device also has 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM as well as 128 GB of NAND flash storage (expandable with a microSD card).
The LG V60 ThinQ 5G comes equipped with a 6.8-inch FullVision P-OLED display featuring a 2460×1080 resolution along with a 20.5:9 aspect ratio (which reminds us of Sony’s Xperia 1 with its distinguished 21:9 screen), one of the largest smartphone display around as far as high-end handsets are concerned. It’s a bit odd to see LG use a lower resolution screen than the V50 last year, even at such a large device size and certainly won’t be optimal for some users.
Meanwhile, for those who feel that one monitor is not enough, LG will offer a new Dual Screen accessory (featuring a similar size and resolution) for the new phone.
One of the key improvements that the LG V60 ThinQ 5G has over its predecessor is without any doubts its new main camera setup comprising of a 64 MP main sensor, a 13 MP module with a 117º super-wide-angle lens, a 3D time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, and a dual-LED flash. The main camera supports 8K (and 4K60) with HDR10+ video recording, along with various modes to make proper photographs in various conditions. On the front, the smartphone has a 10 MP camera housed inside a dewdrop notch design.
On the audio side of matters, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G comes equipped with stereo speakers, 32-bit quad DACs, and a quad-microphone array. Meanwhile the handset has a 3.5-mm audio jack, making this one of the last Android flagships with the feature, as well as a dedicated Google Assistant button.
Yet another prominent advantage of the new V60 ThinQ 5G is its massive 5000 mAh battery that promises a 21-hour talk time as well as a 590-hour standby time on one charge. The battery can be charged using a Qi wireless charger supporting Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0+ or a USB-C wired charger.
Traditionally for numerous modern high-end handsets, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G features an aluminum frame with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 on the front as well as Gorilla Glass 6 on the back. Meanwhile, the device is MIL-STD-810G tested as well as IP68 dust and water resistant (up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes). The product weighs a quite heavy 219 grams (7.72 ounces) and will be available in Classy Blue as well as Classy White finishes.
Other notable hardware features of LG’s latest smartphone are Bluetooth 5.1, an under-display fingerprint reader, and a host of sensors.
The LG V60 ThinQ 5G will be available from AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon in the coming weeks. Pricing is something that has yet to be disclosed.
MONTREAL – Lightspeed Commerce Inc. says it is conducting a review of its business and operations including talks relating to a range of potential strategic alternatives.
The Montreal-based payments technology company made the comments after reports concerning a potential transaction involving the company.
Lightspeed says it periodically undertakes a review of its business and operations with a view of realizing its full potential.
A strategic review is often seen by investors as a prelude to a sale by a company.
Lightspeed says its board of directors is committed to acting in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders.
Company founder Dax Dasilva returned to the role of chief executive officer earlier this year and has been working to return the company to profitability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2024.
OTTAWA – Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says there is a lot of uncertainty around how artificial intelligence could affect the economy moving forward, including the labour market and price growth.
In a speech in Toronto at the Economics of Artificial Intelligence Conference, the governor said Friday that the central bank is approaching the issue cautiously to get a better understanding of how AI could affect its job of keeping inflation low and stable.
“Be wary of anyone who claims to know where AI will take us. There is too much uncertainty to be confident,” Macklem said in prepared remarks.
“We don’t know how quickly AI will continue to advance. And we don’t know the timing and extent of its economic and social impacts.”
The governor said AI has the potential of increasing labour productivity, which would raise living standards and grow the economy without boosting inflation.
In the short-term, he said investment in AI is adding to demand and could be inflationary.
However, Macklem also highlighted more pessimistic scenarios, where AI could destroy more jobs than it creates or lead to less competition rather than more.
The governor called on academics and businesses to work together to shed more light on the potential effects of AI on the economy.
“When you enter a dark room, you don’t go charging in. You cautiously feel your way around. And you try to find the light switch. That is what we are doing. What we central bankers need is more light,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2024.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
