What sort of sick, twisted world did we just wake up inside where NTT DoCoMo is getting rehashed has-been phones launched many, many months ago elsewhere? We're kidding -- sort of -- but we do find it a bit strange that Japan's favorite omniscient megacarrier is just now getting around to announcing its own LG Prada after the original KE850 model entered our hearts and minds almost a year and a half ago. Some of that embarrassment is salvaged in the form of NTT DoCoMo-specific changes and upgrades, or so they allege, anyway; all we're really seeing is the presence of 7.2Mbps data, even though the press release insists that the new model has been "redeveloped specifically" for 'em. Otherwise, fashionistas of the Far East will be treated to a 2 megapixel autofocus cam and a 3-inch wide QVGA display when it launches next month.

Can't leave the comforts of your speedy, reliable network, but aren't ready to carry the brick-like Voyager to appease that touchscreen hankering? Verizon might finally have a solution with the LG VX9700, which just passed the FCC. The above leaked image of the phone shows it to be similar to LG's Prada phone, but apparently there's no designer branding to be had here -- just like AT&T's upcoming Prada-inspired LG Vu. Other than that, erm, innovative menu, rumored infos include a 3.2 megapixel camera, micro USB, microSDHC, and an on-screen QWERTY keyboard for text input. Word is the phone was slated for the end of the month, but now might be delayed until April. We suppose we'll be finding out soon enough.

Mmmm, the LG Prada (AKA, LG-KE850) was just turned out in silver. 18 European countries including the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy will see the new version of LG's touchscreen later this month. Besides the color change the phone now features a proper on-screen QWERTY, not just T9 -- thank you LG! Really, that's all we could hope for.

[Via Akihabara News]

Yep, we kinda knew about all these, but it's good to get a little more confirmation that they're still all on track. The LG Prada (alias "Vu2," alias CU920) has shown up for inventory tracking alongside the Motorola Z9 slider and the Samsung BlackJack II. The Vu2 could end up being one of AT&T's first MediaFLO-compliant handset for mobile TV on the network, and we don't really expect it until early '08 at this point; the BlackJack II looks ready to launch from the press shots we've seen, though, and we wouldn't be surprised if it hit before the year's out. The Z9 could be the hot slider we mentioned earlier today, suggesting a launch some time in the first quarter.

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

If the iPhone is AT&T's cake, its own version of the LG Prada may very well be the icing. Gizmodo has scored shots of what appears to be LG's high-end, touchable superphone running AT&T firmware that's clearly been tweaked for the better from the original KE850 (better web browser, please!). Don't expect to stuff stockings with this one, though -- despite earlier rumors that it might squeeze in by December, we're hearing that AT&T and LG are targeting a Q1 '08 release for the device, apparently called the "Vu2." If there's a Vu2, there's gotta be a Vu, right? Indeed, it turns out that AT&T's Shine will bear the moniker when it gets released. The carrier had originally targeted September for the Vu, but that obviously didn't happen; word on the street is that they're back in the labs tweaking the user interface as we speak and we haven't heard when a launch might actually go down. Both phones offer 3G, of course -- so between the Vu's nav stick and the Vu2's expansive touchscreen, we've got a couple of unique offerings on our hands here. Strong work picking these up, AT&T!

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

Read - LG Shine for AT&T (Vu)
Read - LG Prada for AT&T (Vu2)

We wanted to get down and dirty with LG's other touchscreen phone -- the KU990 (AKA the Viewty) -- a 5.1-megapixel cameraphone that also does Flash, but the company's staff would barely even let us get close. It's true: the German showgirls and Japanese press handlers were less than forthcoming with the goods, but after a round of strong drinks and some serious sweet talking, we got to demo some of the phone's functions -- though there appeared to be a lot more lurking beneath the surface. Check the gallery for some "hands-on" action, and feel free to write letters suggesting LG's people to lighten up.

Gilded, diamond-studded, or just plain ol' gem-encrusted handsets must be popular as Amosu has now pimped the LG Prada to new designer heights. We're not too finicky on 24K gold plated stuff, but if that type of shine floats your boat and you're willing to shell out £499 (roughly $1,000) then you're home. Also featured in the glittering store are the likes of the Nokia 8800 "Sirocco Edition," Sony Ericsson W880i, and even an iPod for good measure. To see more pics of garishly gilded goodies, just follow the yellow brick road link.

[Via Slashphone]

Could LG be prepping another touch interface handset like its KE-850 Prada from earlier in the year? Word is the new handset will definitely (by definitely we mean, definitely possible) be sporting GSM, UMTS, and potentially HSDPA -- all in unknown bands, of course. Apparently LG's new device is based on Windows Mobile 6, takes it shape cues from the Samsung Blackjack, and comes a packin' WiFi as at least one of its alternate connectivity options. Fitted with only the two call keys, and trimmed with chrome -- or chromed plastic -- it should be a sassy bit of work. We look forward to its rumored roll out this September.

When Verizon passed on the iPhone, was it a bad business decision or was it a part of a much larger idea for The Network to bring a next-generation music device to market? Enter Motorola and what is being described as an "iPhone Killer" by employees of both companies. Code named the "M" and designed for the mediacentric user, it's likely to impress (if they really want to kill the iPhone, anyway). Details are on the slim side, but reports suggest a 3 megapixel shooter with a large QVGA display and lots of internal storage. In addition to the M, word is that LG is preparing a CDMA version of the popular -- but -- expensive KE850 (aka Prada) for release sometime in the 3rd quarter (this one's also a potential iPhone nemesis, if you ask us). Make sure you keep a lookout for more deets!

[Thanks, Roc a fella]

After what was apparently a tremendously successful launch in Europe, LG's KE850 Prada phone is heading east to grace some Asian territories with its pricey, high-fashion wiles. Specifically, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan were tapped as KE850 destinations at a launch event at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong hotel last week, with LG confidently spouting that it "would be as popular" there as it was in Europe. The phone and its nifty touch interface are about as trick as anything on the market right now, but with a frightening price point -- not to mention Prada's retail police making the rounds -- we're stopping short of sharing LG's optimism for the moment. [Warning: subscription required]

It's encouraging to see LG and Prada upholding the stereotype of the haute couture fashionista by providing potential LG Prada phone retailers with a hysterical list of "retail space" demands. In order to be deemed worthy, retailers apparently need to submit both indoor and outdoor shots of the store and follow an eleven-page document (supplied by LG and Prada, naturally) to the letter to ensure that all is laid out to spec. Said document details the 17 "LG Prada Phone" commandments (calling it the "LG Prada phone" is actually one of them) including details about font sizes in your signage and background color -- "black (preferably), white, or 60-70% black (grey)". We love this attention to minutiae and are really hoping LG will have an elite group of Prada Phone Police wearing severe leather outfits ready to hand out citations to any careless shopkeeper.

We heard it was coming, now sure enough LG announces their DMB-packin' Prada phone looking every bit like that hasty mockup we rendered back in January. Besides a big floppy antenna to snag digital TV from the air, the new LG-SB310/LB3100 packs the same 3-inch touchscreen we know and love(ish) as well as the original's 2 megapixel camera and 12-mm thinness so in-ness these days. Yup, S.Korea first as these DMB handsets tend to go.

As expected, this slick little Windows Mobile 6 Professional device could very well stand to be the first to benefit from LG's newfound relationship with Microsoft. Whether it'll get slapped with Prada branding remains to be seen, but the KS20's resemblance to its proprietary stablemate can't be overlooked; the Windows Mobile variant gets a thumb stick near the bottom in place of the KE850's buttons, but that's the only major change we see up front. The guts are just as pretty as the outside, too, with WiFi, Bluetooth, the obligatory microSD slot, HSDPA and (possibly) HSUPA, FM radio, TV out, and a 2 megapixel shooter. Needless to say, we're pulling for a radio that can suck down some American 3G, but we're not getting our hopes up. As soon as we catch wind of a release date, price, or any other solid 411, we'll pass it right along.

[Via Slashphone]