LG to Introduce Own Smartphone AI at MWC 2018

New AI Functionalities Aligned Closely with Needs and Usage Behavior of Today's Consumers

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - LG Electronics (LG) will introduce the first of a suite of AI technologies for its smartphones at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The new technology will be featured in the 2018 version of the LG V30, LG's most advanced flagship smartphone to date.

LG Electronics (LG) will introduce the first of a suite of AI technologies for its smartphones at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain (CNW Group/LG Electronics Canada)

On top of an already impressive list of camera features that include dual lenses, wide-angle low-distortion lenses, and the all-glass Crystal Clear Lens, Vision AI makes the camera of the LG V30 even smarter and easier to use (CNW Group/LG Electronics Canada)

LG spent more than a year researching how AI should be implemented in smartphones, long before LG announced LG ThinQ at CES 2018. This research focused primarily on making AI-based solutions with the objective to deliver a unique and more intuitive user experience, focusing on the camera and voice recognition. The result is a suite of AI technologies that is aligned closely with the needs and usage behavior of today's users.

Vision AI: Next Generation Image Recognition
On top of an already impressive list of camera features that include dual lenses, wide-angle low-distortion lenses, and the all-glass Crystal Clear Lens, Vision AI makes the camera of the LG V30 even smarter and easier to use.

Vision AI automatically analyzes objects and recommends the best shooting mode from among eight modes: portrait, food, pet, landscape, city, flower, sunrise, and sunset. The angle of view, colour, reflections, backlighting, and saturation levels are all taken into consideration as the phone analyzes images in its database to determine what the camera is focusing on in order to recommend the best setting. Pointing the camera at a plate of pasta will result in food mode being invoked, resulting in warmer colours and heightened sharpening for the most appetizing shot possible.

LG collaborated with a partner in image recognition to analyze over 100 million images in order to develop the phone's image recognition algorithms. Over one thousand unique image categories were created for more accurate image analysis, and this resulted in better shooting mode recommendations.

Another feature of Vision AI provides shopping advice through smart image recognition. By simply pointing the camera at an object, LG's Vision AI can automatically scan QR codes, initiate an image search or provide shopping options including where to purchase the item for the lowest price, and other similar products that the customer might find of interest.

A new low-light shooting mode can automatically brighten images in dim environments by a factor of two. Instead of conventional methods of measuring external light levels, Vision AI instead measures the brightness of the actual image that will be recorded, resulting in brightness levels that are adjusted much more accurately.

Voice AI: LG-Exclusive Voice Commands
Another new feature is Voice AI that allows users to run apps and change settings through voice commands alone. Working alongside Google Assistant, the 32 LG-exclusive Voice AI commands – up from 23 commands in 2017 – Voice AI eliminates the need to search through menu options and allows for direct selection of specific functions. French language support to be confirmed.

LG Exclusive Voice Commands for Google Assistant

	FEATURE	VOICE COMMAND (PRECEDE WITH "OK GOOGLE")
1	Wide-angle photo	Take a picture on a wide angle
2	Wide-angle selfie	Take a selfie on a wide angle
3	Wide-angle video	Record a video on a wide angle
4	Wide-angle selfie video	Take a selfie video on a wide angle
5	Cine Video	Open camera on Cine Video
6	Expert Photo Mode	Open camera on a manual mode
7	Expert Video Mode	Open camera on a manual video
8	Cine Video (Romantic)	Take a romantic Cine Video
9	Cine Video (Melodramatic)	Take a melodramatic Cine Video
10	Cine Video (Thriller)	Take a thriller Cine Video
11	Cine Video (Beauty)	Take a beauty Cine Video
12	Cine Video (Blockbuster)	Take a summer blockbuster Cine Video
13	Cine Video (Romantic Comedy)	Take a romantic comedy Cine Video
14	Cine Video (Documentary)	Take a documentary Cine Video
15	Cine Video (Landscape)	Take a scenery Cine Video
16	Cine Video (Drama)	Take a drama Cine Video
17	Cine Video (Historic)	Take a historical Cine Video
18	Cine Video (Mystery)	Take a mystery Cine Video
19	Cine Video (Noir)	Take a noir Cine Video
20	Cine Video (Classic)	Take a classic Cine Video
21	Cine Video (Flashback)	Take a flashback Cine Video
22	Cine Video (Pop Art)	Take a pop art Cine Video
23	Expert Mode (Graphy)	Open camera with Graphy
NEW FOR 2018
24	Panoramic Photo	Pending
25	Food Photo	Pending
26	Time-lapse Photo (Video)	Pending
27	Slow-motion Video	Pending
28	Low-light Photo	Pending
29	AI Cam Photo	Pending
30	Image Search	Pending
31	QR Code Scanning	Pending
32	Shopping Search	Pending

Upgrading and Expanding Smartphone AI
LG's strategy for smartphones is to continue expanding its AI capabilities while also refining existing features to make them more convenient to use. Certain AI features will not be limited to new LG models only, but also to existing LG smartphones via over-the-air updates, taking into consideration various hardware specifications and stability of LG smartphone models for maximum user experience.  

"As we communicated last month at CES, the future for LG lies in AI, not just hardware specs and processing speed," said Ha Jeung-uk, senior vice president and business unit leader for LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Creating smarter smartphones will be our focus going forward and we are confident that consumers will appreciate the advanced user experience with the enhanced V30 that many have been asking and waiting for."

Attendees of MWC 2018 are encouraged to visit LG's booth in Hall 3 of Fira Gran Via from February 26 until March 1 for more information.

About LG Electronics Mobile Communications
LG Electronics is a global leader and trend setter in the mobile and wearable industry with breakthrough technologies and innovative designs. By continually developing highly competitive core technologies in the areas of display, camera optics, audio and battery. LG creates handsets and wearables that fit the lifestyles of a wide range of consumers all over the world. LG is seeking to provide a mobile experience that extends beyond the scope of traditional smartphones. For more information, visit www.LG.com.

About LG Electronics Canada
The LG brand was established in 1995. The company is a global leader in electronics, information and communications products, with more than 117 operations around the world, and annual worldwide revenues of more than US $49 billion. LG Canada is comprised of five business units - Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Home Entertainment, Business Solutions and Commercial Air Conditioning. The company has offices in Toronto and Vancouver. LG Canada is focused on delivering award-winning products known for blending style and technology. These innovative products include cell phones, flat screen TVs, laptop computers and home appliances. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

SOURCE LG Electronics Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: Ken Hong, LG Electronics, Inc., [phone], [e-mail], www.LGnewsroom.com; Cory Fisher, LG Canada, P: 647.253.6300 x2918, C: 647.629.3811, [e-mail]; Alissa Liotti, LG-One Canada, P: 416-486-5911, C: 437-992-1253, [e-mail]

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