AT&T announced a version of the LG Optimus 3D “glasses-free 3D” Android 2.2 phone optimized for its HSPA+ “4G” network. The LG Thrill 4G features a dual-core 1GHz processor, a 4.3-inch display, a five-megapixel stereoscopic camera, 16GB of flash memory, HDMI output, and access to an “LG 3D Space” content repository, says the carrier.

AT&T has already provided what is likely to be the top story coming out of this week's CTIA wireless show in Orlando when it announced yesterday its intention to acquire T-Mobile from Deutsche Telekom AG for $39 billion. Now it hopes to keep the AT&T buzz alive with what it says will be among the first "glasses-free 3D" phones to reach U.S. customers.

The LG Thrill is said to be due "in the coming months," which means it may be beat to the U.S. market by Sprint's rumored Evo 3D Android phone, among other possible contestants jumping into the 3D trend.

LG Thrill 4G
(Click to enlarge)

Based on the specs announced so far, the LG Thrill 4G is a rebadged, HSPA+-ready version of LG's Optimus S, which is set to go on sale in Europe in the second quarter. The Optimus 3D was billed as the world's first 3D phone.

According to AT&T, the Android 2.2-based Thrill 4G will be the first handset in the U.S. to offer a dual-core, dual-channel, 1GHz processor. Here, the company appears to be referring to the Texas Instruments OMAP 4 processor, which is confirmed to be driving the Optimus S.

The OMAP 4 not only offers dual ARM Cortex-A9 cores, but also a dual-channel, dual-memory architecture, which is said to enable simultaneous transfer of data between the dual cores and dual memory channels. This is said to help enable faster multitasking on the Optimus 3D. The OMAP 4 also offers specific support for dual cameras taking stereoscopic 3D video.

The LG Thrill 4G is preloaded with 8GB of onboard memory plus an 8GB microSD card, says AT&T. The phone is also said to be equipped with a 4.3-inch stereoscopic 3D display. Although not specifically mentioned by AT&T, LG touted its Optimus 3D for the screen's 3D parallax barrier screen technology, which enables the glasses-free viewing of 3D images.

The phone's dual five-megapixel stereoscopic cameras let users shoot 3D video and 3D stills, says AT&T. The LG Thrill 4G records 3D video at 720p resolution and 2D at 1080p quality, says the carrier. An HDMI port and DLNA media sharing technology are also said to be available.

In addition to offering apps on the Android Market, the LG Thrill 4G will be able to access 3D content via an "LG 3D Space," which houses 3D games, video clips, and images. AT&T did not mention how much of this content would be available for free.

Neither did the carrier mention whether the Thrill 4G would offer LG's 3D Hot Key UI layer, which presents five 3D-dedicated interfaces including Gallery, Camera, Game&Apps, YouTube 3D, and 3D Guide.

Other specs listed by LG for its Optimus 3D include HSPA+ cellular support and the presence of a 1,500mAh battery. At the time of the Optimus 3D announcement, third-party reports also mentioned Optimus S features including 802.11n, Bluetooth, A-GPS, a microUSB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and both an accelerometer and compass. The phone was also said to measure 5.07 x 2.68 x 0.47 inches (128.8 x 68 x 11.9 mm) and weigh 5.93 ounces (168 grams).

AT&T also today announced a Windows Phone model called the HTC HD7S.

Availability

The LG Thrill 4G will be exclusive to AT&T customers in the coming months, says the carrier. More information may eventually become available from AT&T's Android web-page.

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