'Value Pack' update for Optimus G Pro to bring eye-tracking software and more

LG is planning to bring a "Value Pack" update with extra features to the recently announced Optimus G Pro as well as other high-end LG devices. This update will bring two headline features -- Smart Video and Dual Camera -- to the Optimus G Pro in the Korean market. Smart Video is eye-tracking software that will pause video playback when the phone recognizes that the user is looking away from the screen, and then resume when they look back. Dual Camera is an extension of the Dual Recording feature LG recently debuted, and will let the user take simultaneous pictures from the front and rear cameras.

In addition to these new features, the Value Pack will bring improvements to the QRemote app for increased functionality in controlling TVs. The home button LED will also receive an update with new software to more granularly control its flashing, and a new video camera feature will let users stop/start video but save to one continuous file.

LG hasn't specified which other "premium smartphones" will receive the Value Pack update, but we know that at minimum the Korean Optimus G Pro will receive it first starting next month.

EYE RECOGNITION TO BRING NEW LEVEL OF ENTERTAINMENT CONVENIENCE TO LG SMARTPHONE

Technology to Debut in Smart Video Feature in Optimus G Pro

SEOUL, Mar. 14, 2013 — Smart Video, a new multimedia UX feature from LG Electronics (LG), will be unveiled for the first time in the Optimus G Pro. Smart Video takes viewing videos on mobile devices to a whole new level of convenience with eye recognition that eliminates the need to manually control playback during the viewing experience.

Through the implementation of advanced eye recognition technology, Smart Video recognizes the position of the viewer’s eyes and automatically plays or stops the video without any manual input from the user. When the viewer’s eyes are no longer focused on the smartphone display, the front camera recognizes this and immediately pauses the video automatically. Once the user’s gaze returns to the smartphone, the video resumes playback from the point last viewed.

In addition to the Smart Video feature, Optimus G Pro will also be equipped with the world’s first Dual Camera function. The Dual Camera feature is an extension of the Dual Recording feature which debuted on the Optimus G Pro introduced in the Korean market last month. Dual Camera simultaneously captures photographs using both the front and back cameras for a picture-in-picture composition. Users can now be a part of the story, not just observers.

“LG is continuously innovating to offer creative ways to offer a user experience that adds value to our customers,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Elec-tronics Mobile Communications Company. “It’s the positive UX that will differentiate smartphones in 2013 and beyond, not only cutting-edge hardware specs.”

The Smart Video and Dual Camera features will be introduced as a part of the Value Pack upgrade which will be offered for the Optimus G Pro in the Korean market next month. These features will also be made available for some LG premium smartphones in the future.

Other features in the Value Pack upgrade include:

• Magic Remote Pad and Text Keypad via the QRemote function. These new options for QRemote work specifically with LG

Smart TVs to enhance convenience when using Optimus G Pro as a remote control for LG Smart TVs.

• The Smart LED Lighting outlining the home button of the Optimus G Pro will be upgraded so users can customize the colors

to correspond to their favorite contacts. The flashing of the LED in different colors will allow users to identify the source of

incoming calls, missed calls, unread messages and emails.

• Video Pause/Resume allows the user to stop and start in record mode for one continuous video file.

• The first Color Emoticons in an Android smartphone for more personalized text messages.