LG set for Q4 tablet launch

LG will be hoping the Android platform gives it a boost in the smartphone market

LG has announced plans to launch a tablet PC and 10 more smartphones by the fourth quarter as it seeks to grab a bigger share of these fiercely competitive markets.

A Wall Street Journal report said that the Korean electronics giant plans to sell at least five million devices by the end of the year.

Chang Ma, vice president of marketing for LG's mobile devices unit, was bullish about the firm’s chances of success, saying its upcoming tablet will be “better than the iPad”.

The device, which will be launched under the "Optimus" brand, appears to be less of a media consumption tool than the iPad, with the focus instead on creating content and enhancing productivity, the report said.

“It's going to be surprisingly productive,” said Ma.

LG is currently the world’s third-largest mobile phone manufacturer by shipments but, like Nokia, has struggled to make a major impact in the lucrative smartphone market as rivals Apple, HTC and others steam ahead.

Next month, LG will relaunch its Optimus smartphone line, leading with the Android-based Optimus One, through 120 operators, said the WSJ.

The Optimus One is set to be the firm’s flagship model and a "gateway smartphone" for first-time customers.

"We think it's reasonable for us to provide this to people who hesitate to buy or don't have enough experience with smartphones," Ma said. "This is a clear answer to them."