With the ongoing success of OS-supported handsets and a rash of Android phones set for release, smartphones are the hottest topic in the mobile industry. Though many factors account for this success, surely the most important is the array of applications, or apps, that let users do everything from read the newspaper to count their calories, and then instantly share all this information via social networking sites such as Google Buzz, Twitter and Facebook. But contrary to what you might think, apps aren’t only available on smartphones. In fact, as the LG Mini (LG GD880), which was recently released in Europe, clearly shows, feature phones can be just as good as smartphones for app fans – and sometimes even better.

LG Mini Phantom Browser with HTML5

The LG Mini comes with LG’s new Phantom Browser, built with LG’s own UI (User Interface) using the latest version of Webkit open source. The Phantom Browser provides a PC-like web browsing experience and convenient functions optimized for use on mobile devices. Being compatible with HTML5, the Phantom Browser also supports the very latest services from Google.

But just what is HTML5? As the latest version of HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), the predominant markup language for web pages, HTML5 enables broader, more in-depth interaction between mobile devices and the internet. So, for example, databases on phones fitted with HTML5 can be accessed from web pages, making it easy to provide users with location-specific info, such as map services or good restaurants in the area. Video content on web pages can also be played without any additional plug-ins. With advantages such as these, HTML5 is not only helping improve the content of web pages, it is opening entirely new possibilities for web widgets on mobile phones.

Going at Jet Speed

Taking its name from the similarly zippy Phantom Jet, the HTML5-compatible LG Phantom Browser boasts an ultra-fast operating speed, advanced features and an enhanced overall user experience.  Using the Phantom Browser, users can enjoy videos, music and graphics without additional plug-ins, thus bringing the mobile internet experience ever closer to that of a PC.

As well as letting users access all Google’s HTML5 services, the Phantom Browser greatly enhances multi-tasking functions – such as multiple file downloads and the simultaneous use of up to 10 windows. Specifically, the LG Phantom Browser supports an optimized multi-tasking environment that lets users connect to the internet and download videos, all while talking or sending text messages on their phone.

Smart Phone, not Smartphone

Besides having a PC-like web browsing experience through the Phantom Browser, users can download and install widget apps for the LG Mini direct from the LG App Store. Users can also create widget apps through markup languages for web pages or by using the pre-installed SDK (Software Development Kit) based on the GUI (Graphic User Interface) environment. Through widget apps, users can customize their home screen and optimize the phone to perfectly fit their own needs. Initially coming with news, weather and web searching services, the Mini will have access to an ever-greater number of internet-linked apps as more websites start supporting Open API.

To the Web and Beyond

And the LG Mini is only the beginning. Having overcome the greatest developmental difficulty – optimizing performance, memory and touch response on WVGA high-quality screens (which are twice the resolution of the Half VGA screens found on most smartphones) – LG plans to make the Phantom Browser a regular feature in its new products. As a result of these efforts, LG is looking forward to exciting times for its feature phones, with an ever-growing range of unique mobile web experiences for all of our customers.