Aside from LG G5, the Korean company has also unveiled quite a number of devices to accompany the new flagship smartphones. While they are slightly different in nature as compared to G5’s own modular accessories, these companion devices are collectively nicknamed as LG Friends and are grouped under an ecosystem called LG Playground.
One such product is the LG 360 VR goggle which simulates a 130-inch screen from two meters away. Highly lightweight at only 118 grams, it also features a foldable design and connects to the new G5 via a dedicated cable.
Meanwhile, there’s also the LG 360 CAM which uses a combination of two 13-megapixels 200-degree wide angle camera to allow users to capture 360-degree images as well as videos with resolution of up to 2K. It also equipped with three microphones that helps users capture videos in 5.1 surround sound, alongside 1,200mAh battery, 4GB internal storage, and microSD card slot.
Also part of LG Friends is the LG Rolling Bot which is equipped with 8-megapixels IP camera that users are able to utilize for live home monitoring. Users can also utilize the round-shaped bot as a companion for their pets at home with its built-in laser pointer, speakers and microphone although we not sure if the bot is durable enough for the job. With built-in IR, it can also be used to control compatible home appliances.
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LG is also targeting drone fans as well with LG Smart Controller which is designed to work with certain drones. Not much details were mentioned about it but since the stage demo was done together with folks from the well-known drone manufacture Parrot, we suppose Parrot drones might be among the first to support the controller.
In addition to the Hi-Fi Plus module that we mentioned previously, LG’s partnership with Bang & Olufsen has also resulted in the H3 headphones. Again, not much details regarding this particular LG Friends product are available at the moment but the company has stated that it is designed for audiophiles and compatible with the Hi-Fi Plus module as well as any Android smartphones.
Meanwhile, there’s also the LG TONE Platinum headset which is apparently the first Bluetooth headset in the world that comes with aptX HD lossless 24-bit audio codec. It is also built with balanced armature drivers and has earned Harman Kardon Platinum grade for its sound quality.
As LG Friends devices, LG guarantees that they can be connected to G5 easily. In fact, the company has come out with an app called Friends Manager that allows users to detect and manage these devices on their G5.
While these LG Friends will be making its way to the market alongside G5 this April, their prices are not known at the moment. At the same time, LG has also stated that the LG Playground ecosystem is open to everyone which means that more companion devices for G5 might be launched soon although that still depends on whether other companies are keen to the idea or else.
(Images: LG Mobile webcast)
