LG puts the focus on phone screen to bezel ratio with its latest flagship phones

The latest generation of smartphones are increasingly viewed as handheld computers rather than as phones, due to their powerful on-board computing capability, capacious memories, large screens, open operating systems and enhanced connectivity that encourage application development.

The rise in smartphone adoption has led to increased content consumption; which has further led to the increase in business usage of phones and content creation for business purposes.

Business users are relying on their mobile handsets to not only provide them with all the latest information while on the move, but also use them as platforms to develop content without having to use laptops or tablets.

The past few years have seen a shift take place from having content sent to a business user through a computer (market reports, emails, news, and meeting requests) to being able to use mobile productivity applications to create presentations, spreadsheets, or other business content while travelling.

For this to be really effective and usable, one cannot expect a business user to work on a four-inch screen and still be able to function at full capacity. Ideally, these users need a device with a larger screen that gives them enough viewing room and display real estate to be precise in their interactions.

Phone manufacturers have long been shaving down these edges to offer frame-less designs. In the quest to give users bigger and better screens without creating huge phones, manufacturers have the bezel firmly in their sights. 

Talk of a bezel-less phone has been swirling in recent months and the screen-to-body ratio has been steadily climbing in many of the top new releases. The bezel-less look is distinctly futuristic and despite some compromises, we are slowly moving towards it.

LG kicked off the widescreen trend, creating a 5.7-inch screen with an unusual 18:9 aspect ratio. Alongside the shrinking bezels, LG flagship phones have packed in more screen space without making phones too big to comfortably handle.

“The smartphone is no longer just for making calls and sending text messages. It has evolved into a life companion capable of making just about every aspect of our lives more convenient, and screen size plays a big part in this. It also allows us to share every moment of life in a more creative way,” said LG East Africa Marketing Manager, Moses Marji.

In a few years, mobile technology will become more capable with an array of features; thanks to computing advancements, cloud computing and network infrastructure. Futuristic features like virtual reality will no longer be for video games and comics, but for the mass market.    

A BETTER TOMORROW MADE POSSIBLE WITH LG

With the emergence of new and better companies as compared to the ones yesterday, it has become a constant battlefield of who can come up with either innovative, remarkable technology or eco-friendly products which has led to an improvement of our daily lives.

Other than improving the quality of products or services companies provide to consumers, companies have taken into consideration the environmental reputations they have to uphold in determining consumer appeal.  Green competition is changing the way companies approach corporate sustainability and environmentalism.

Corporates have discovered that each step they take to reduce energy consumption also strengthen their environmental credentials which lead to burnishing their image while decreasing costs. Renewables were considered prohibitively expensive, more and more corporates are making 
t

hese alternative energy sources more accessible than ever.

Such eco-friendly motives also trickle down to how brand awareness is reflected to consumers as corporates nowadays tend to create adverts that appeal to the consumer and promote a worthy cause(environmental related) instead of its own products. Such motives not only improve brand awareness but also penetrate at a deeper level to employees, families and beyond.  

As business step up their eco-friendly businesses, one key pillar to support this is CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility) which is a  business approach that contributes to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all stakeholders. Such efforts aim to improve the society in some way. These efforts can range from donating money to nonprofits to implementing environmentally-friendly policies in the workplace.

At LG Electronics, they are not only committed to offering the most user-efficient products but also improve the wellbeing of its consumers and the shared environment. Its CSR framework system is tailor-made to accommodate shifting consumer needs. Each market has its own unique niche, so catering to specific demands proves beneficial to all parties as tailored approaches are proven to result in increased user satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Here in Kenya, LG has taken an initiative to support local hospitals that cater pediatric needs to those who have lost replaceable parts of the body with prosthetics. This CSR initiative with Kikuyu Hospital has been running for over 10 years and has helped many Kenyans have a ‘second – chance’ at life.

Speaking during the official handover for this year’s partnership, General Marketing Manager, LG Electronics East Africa. Moses Marji said, “We at LG are dedicated to supporting orthopedic patients who require funds that will be used to equip the unit with prosthetics, pay bills for needy patients as well as create awareness on the plight of persons with physical impairments”

LG G6 takes the mantle as the ultimate travel companion

The impact of technology, particularly smartphones on travel is evolving. Whether lazing about on beaches or scaling mountains, modern travellers come armed with technology. Today’s traveler wants to use a reliable smartphone to document his/her travels.

There is increasingly mutual penetration of the experiences from the travel context and everyday life context. Travellers have indeed gained experience using new technologies and the benefits those technologies have brought.  Smartphone is therefore an essential accessory for modern travel lers looking to stay connected.

LG G6 smartphone which has already dictated how technology will change travel in future, is designed to make it convenient than ever for travellers to stay connected to their home, work, and surrounding no matter where they are. The G6 offers everything todays connected traveler needs by making it possible for users to seamlessly take and share photographs, check schedules, search for directions and more.

When travelling, taking nice photos is a must. Nothing can let you capture life’s most memorable moments like never before than new LG G6 smartphone. The LG G6 is optimized for efficiency, reliability, and stamina. So in the air or on the ground, you can always take it the extra mile in terms of usability.

For instance, enhancements in image quality and performance make taking expansive panoramas, group shots and selfies easier than ever with its front camera that automatically snaps a picture when a face is in frame—no buttons required.

In its usability to capture even more life’s breathtaking views, the LG G6 is fitted with Dual 13MP rear cameras. The 125° wide-angle lens allows you to capture photos and videos with a wider perspective - for more friends or more inclusive scenic shots. Unlike other phones with a similar screen size, the large 5.7” display fits in your hand with easy accessibility and navigation, giving you a big screen experience without the inconvenience of a big phone.

The LG G6 is sculpted from aluminum and glass and is available in platinum and black. The 18:9 Full Vision display with rounded corners and narrow bezels conclude the harmonious design.

What more? If your phone gracefully arcs into a swimming pool, it should be fine. Take the LG G6 with you just about anywhere. With an IP68 rating, it's sealed against dust offering greater protection when off the beaten track and water resistant up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. You can’t get lost either, with its inbuilt Google assistant, LG G6 is here to help you find products and directions with ease.

The biggest win for travellers with LG G6 smartphone is its ability to withstand accidental drops or rough environment during hikes and other tough activities. LG G6 security and endurance is well recognized for passing 14 different military standards. Not to mention its use of proprietary design to dissipate heart and reduce device temperatures.

GREAT HOLIDAYS MADE POSSIBLE WITH LG

As I grew up, holidays were an essential part of our family, not only at home but to the extended family. As December came close we would schedule meetings to discuss the whereabouts of our next trip and most of the time it would be down south, Mombasa.

The beautiful sandy beaches, long palm trees free-flowing with the wind and chilled waters was always a win especially to the young ones. We were always excited to be going down south as we knew we were escaping the wraths of our school teachers giving us assignments that were to be handed by the next day. It was time to sit back, relax and have a good time with our families.

As time caught up with us and we grew older and technological advancements grew bigger, holiday experiences started to be less of having a good time and more on worrying about what you left unfinished back home. Relatives and parents started missing holidays because of work, holidays became shorter than what was initially planned or they didn’t happen at all.

With work continuing to eat up ever more personal time , the line between the office and home is blurring, shockingly over 70% of workers around the world spend more time checking up on work after normal working hours. This constant pressure from work makes it very essential for employees to make time to relax, leading to the emergence of bleisure, meaning combining business trips with leisure.

As more people use vacations to unwind, LG’s home appliances guarantee the safety of the home with its security and monitoring features, giving travelers less to worry about while they make the most of their time abroad.

Such appliances like the Hom-Bot vacuum cleaner combined with the HomeGuard that features HomeView has a unique technological feature that has real-time monitoring of the house combined with automatically sending photos whenever movement is detected.

Similarly, the SmartThingQ sensor turns home devices into smart connected appliances, and is also capable of providing alerts whenever doors and windows are opened.

“With the new state of art technology brought about by LG, The Hom-Bot vacuum cleaner not only acts as a device to clean your house but also as a monitoring device within the house itself making it a great and convenient home appliance.” said LG’s Marketing Manager Moses Marji.

Vertical Video makes a footprint in the filmmaking industry.

The LG G6 Vertical Film Festival

The growth of technology and social media in the past decade has affected the society as a whole from a technical standpoint; more so the use of social media intertwined with the new advanced smartphones in the market.

Vertical video has emerged to be the next big thing in the filmmaking industry.  Brands and innovators are now making the shift from the conventional horizontal screen to the vertical video which is easily consumed on a smartphone.

Corporate companies are fast realizing the power of storytelling through vertical videos. With a large percentage of the consumer market going digital, vertical videos have turned into one of the biggest innovations of the century.
The rise of social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram have enabled consumers to share live content with people all over the world. Live feeds have encouraged people to channel their creativity and share special moments from their daily lives.

The advancement of technology in the smartphone is truly impressive. Filmmakers can now shoot an entire production entirely on their smartphone. Features such as the full built-in HD, dual cameras, editing, shooting modes and stabilization have taken smartphone shooting to another level.

This innovation will soon see a tide change for video makers. This year will see global innovators in film be recognized for their efforts in disrupting the film landscape. Vertical Video will soon have its place at the Cannes Film festival; the world’s most prestigious celebration of film. LG recently held the LG G6 18:9 Vertical Film Festival to appreciate talent from around the world and get a feel of the vertical picture perspective.

Filmmakers made use of the unique features of the G6 such as the dual cameras, the expert shooting modes, the water and dust resistant features to create world class videos.
“We are committed in exceeding the expectations of our consumers and empowering amateur filmmakers to create inspiring content through their smartphones,” said Moses Marji, LG East Africa marketing Manager.

Vertical video will completely change the film industry; bringing a new era of filmmakers in a space that was typically dominated by vast production companies and household names.

BRINGING THE BEST OF MUSIC VIA LG

Music, it surrounds us every day and everywhere. Recent studies show that at any given moment between 8am and 10pm, there is a high chance that over 50% of the world will have engaged in listening to music understating that music plays a key role in our day to day lives.

 Music and society have been interlinked since the past times. From playing traditional drum beats to playing the flute to the current in house quality production of songs, humans have had a correlation towards music as it facilitates communication which goes beyond words, enables meanings to be shared, and promotes the development and maintenance of individual, group, cultural and national identities and acts as a form of expression.

Music has the power to induce multiple responses – physiological, movement, mood, emotional, cognitive and behavioral. Few other stimuli have effects on such a wide range of human functions such as human development in early years.

Gone were the days where access to music would take an arm and a leg to listen to it. As trends emerge, the world of music wasn’t left behind as it also evolved. Never before in the history of humanity have so many different kinds of music been so easily available to so many people.  One can access a library of music at the click of a button. From phones to streaming services, music is all around us.

More than just a creative outlet, the type of music we listen to say a lot about one’s character and picture of oneself as it influences our behavior in ways which are beyond our conscious awareness.

When it comes to the delivery of music, one requires a top notch of sound system that will deliver high sound quality accounting for each and every instrument, pitch and tone and this is can be found in none other than LG’s Loudr Sound Systems.

Other than offering incredible sound quality, the Loudr system is able to integrate advanced DJ functions that allow users to control sound output to ensure that no two listening experiences are alike. It comes with a robust 600W output and powerful bass play music with high clarity and impressive volume. Its sparkle and speaker lighting provides more fun in the dark. Karaoke nights will be complete with its star dual input feature of this LG Loudr speaker system and easy usability.

“We strive to bring the best in each and every product we set out to invest in at LG, and the Loudr sound system is an addition to the family full of creativity and fun. With great sound quality, sound effects and lighting effects, it allows users to enjoy their music day in day out with its easy usability functions.” explained Moses Marji, General Manager Marketing LG Electronics.

KENYA RAILWAYS RECEIVES ADDITIONAL LOCOMOTIVES AND WAGONS FOR SGR OPERATIONS

Barely two weeks to the launch of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Mombasa - Nairobi Service, Kenya Railways today received additional 17 freight locomotives, six (6) shunting locomotives, 50 flat wagons for containers and 4 unit cranes for use in the SGR operations. The consignment was offloaded today under the supervision of the Principal Secretary, Transport, Prof. Paul. M. Maringa, Kenya Railways engineers, China Road and Bridge Corporation, the EPC contractor for Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway project, and the project supervisor, TSDI-APEC-EDON Consortium (TAEC).

The locomotives and rolling stock are a key deliverable under SGR as they are the means by which the high capacity Standard Gauge Railway will deliver Kenya's promise to her customers, including the cargo owners. The locomotives will provide a vital service to the Nation and help address the growing congestion on the roads in the country, with operations on the line expected to stimulate economic activity especially in the areas traversed by the Standard Gauge Railway line. The 25 tonne axle flat wagons on the other hand, can carry a payload of 70 tonnes and are designed to run at 120 km/h. So far, the country has received 25 freight locomotives out of the 43 on order; the full order of five (5) passenger and eight (8) shunting locomotives; the full order of 40 Passenger coaches, as well as 763 Wagons out of the 1,620 on order.

Speaking on site at the Mombasa Port during the offloading of the locomotives and wagons, the Transport Principal Secretary Prof. Paul M. Maringa said that the government was keen on optimizing the SGR for freight transport; destined locally and to the region - Uganda, Rwanda Burundi, South Sudan and DRC.

“The SGR is the backbone of Kenya’s multi modal infrastructure development and thus it will play a key role is spurring economic growth. It is expected that freight uptake via SGR will considerably increase rail transport capacity from the port once the operations commence in December 2017, and in accordance with the commitment made in the Mombasa Port Community Charter, signed in June 2014,” he explained.

Operation of freight services is scheduled to begin once the expansion and modernisation of the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD) is completed and handling equipment provided and installed. General freight will be offloaded at Nairobi Terminus, whose construction is generally complete. Kenya Railways will operate the freight trains between Mombasa Port and Nairobi as per the traffic volumes available. The freight tariffs are being determined and will be published in time for the commencement of the operations. The customers are guaranteed high capacity trains with trailing loads of up to 4,000 tonnes, and high quality freight service with a transit time of 10 hours on average between Mombasa and Nairobi.

According to the Feasibility Study Report, SGR operations would reduce freight transportation costs compared to roads transport costs particularly as the volume offered to SGR increases. The cost of moving goods across borders has become increasingly important as the EAC market players continue to position their products in the global market.

On his part, Kenya Railways' SGR Project Manager, Eng. Maxwell Mengich said, “Kenya Railways is ready to play its part in growing the country’s economy. We are working with the relevant agencies to ensure that all the interventions required at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot are ready to handle the freight once we roll out the service. We have also put in place sufficient spares and a robust maintenance programme to minimize on locomotive failures and achieve best performance in line with global practices,” he said.

The railway will operate both freight and passenger trains and being a single line, 33 crossing stations have been provided to facilitate crossing of trains. Seven (7) of these stations will handle passenger trains, which will in addition be given priority over the freight trains along the line in order to achieve shorter transit times.