LG Just Killed Off FM Radio On Smartphones

Mike Moore,
listening to radio headphones

LG Stylus 2 sports DAB+ digital radio as LG also announces two mid-range smartphones targeting selfie fans

LG has announced a new smartphone featuring what it says is the best digital radio experience around.

Looking to finally end the practice of having FM radios installed on its smartphones, the new LG Stylus 2 (pictured below) comes with DAB+ digital radio, which offers crisper and clearer audio than ever before, and also enables broadcasters to develop their own tailored apps using online services to complement their broadcasts.

LG-Stylus2-DABLG says that DAB+, which is widely expected to replace FM analogue radio, already reaches over 500 million people in 40 countries around the world, with its latest release marking the first time that this technology has been included on a mobile device.

“We are taking a proactive approach towards the fast-paced technological shift to digital broadcasting with DAB+ to deliver a new paradigm of experiences through the smartphone,” said LG Mobile president and CEO Juno Cho.

Looking to take on the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Note phablets, the LG Stylus 2 features a 5.7in 720p screen which can be interacted with via the accompanying stylus. Also on board is a 1.2Ghz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM, Android Marshmallow, and a 3,000mAh removable battery, which LG says makes the device perfect for enjoying media such as digital radio.

The LG Stylus 2 will be available in the UK later this year, although LG is not revealing any concrete dates or pricing just yet.

Cheesy

LG K5Elsewhere, LG has also announced two new additions to its K smartphone range, with the K5 and K8 offering fairly decent hardware at an affordable price.

Only the K5 (pictured right) will be released in Europe, and will feature a 5in display built in to a metallic body that’s available in three colours. As mentioned, LG is keen to promote the selfie capabilities of the device, which comes with a 2MP front-facing camera equipped with the company’s Gesture Shot function, which makes taking photos even easier.

Under the hood is a quad-core 1.3Ghz processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, along with a removable 1,900mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.1 and Android Lollipop.

The K5 will go on sale later this week, but again LG is being coy on exact pricing, although it certainly won’t be too expensive.

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