LG has launched the LG Optimus Z, which goes for the current high end Snapdroid formula a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU running Android 2.1 Eclair. The LG Optimus Z is 11.05mm thin and encased in matte-finish metal and Sadly, it's South Korea only.

The LG Optimus Z will launch with Android 2.1 but there will be a 2.2 Froyo update by the end of the year. The screen is a "Hyper HD LCD", 3.5" big with WVGA resolution.

The LG Optimus Z packs a 5MP camera though no mention of what the video capture is like. Anyway, DivX and Dolby Mobile vouch for a quality multimedia experience. And if you get bored with the content on your phone, the T-DMB mobile TV should keep you entertained. The 1,350mAh battery should have enough juice for hours being doing your couch potato routine on the go.

The LG Optimus Z has something called "On Screen Phone", a feature which lets you control your Optimus Z from the computer. The phone’s UI is displayed on the computer screen and you can go ahead and use apps as you would on the phone. The connection can be made over the data cable or even Bluetooth.

Another interesting sounding feature is the Drag & Shake, which lets you share files with other phones “with a simple shake of the handset”. The press release is kind of vague on how this works though.

Oh, and here’s the fun part LG has preloaded the Optimus Z with the top 100 popular apps in the Android Market and an extra 70 apps that aren’t in the Market.

Well Canada, iPhone 4 launch day is almost here. It's going live tomorrow, and Apple has let it be known when their store doors will open.

7AM on July 30th is the time. Bring your fold out chairs and blankets to camp out at your local Apple Store location tonight, because I can guarantee you’re going to see a lineup. For those of you crazy enough to do so, you can probably look forward to some nourishment from Apple staffers an hour or so before the doors open (I’ve witnessed Apple handing out water and treats to those in line on numerous occasions)… still… pack a lunch.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that things go smoothly, and that enough iPhones will be available to those that want them. If supply runs out, I trust Apple's successful reservation system will be cued up and ready to go. Speaking from experience (I reserved an iPad), the reservation system is a godsend. You reserve the product via your iTunes account, and Apple emails you when the product arrives and is in-store for pickup. When you arrive, you’ll no doubt be greeted by a staffer, and when you mention the reservation and give them your name… they scoot to the back of the store, pickup your product, and whisk you through checkout. Any questions or demos you need walked through will be taken on as well. I really do have to give a tip of the cap to Apple staffers when it comes to this.

They say fact is stranger and fiction and truth be told you just couldn't make this stuff up! Apple is embroiled in yet another legal wrangle, this time with the Japanese government. The issue centres around that old bug bear of Apple's: overheating devices. In this instance it's iPods that are the centre of attention with the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry mandating that Apple explain what exactly is behind various incidents of iPods overheating. iPods have apparently been overheating in Japan for the last few years now so it looks like the government there finally wants some answers. According to Seiji Shimagami of the ministry:

"We have been asking they outline the preventive actions that have been taken for two years, but we question whether enough has been done so we took official action."

Failure to comply with the Japanese government's order would likely see Apple hit with a fine. It's just one of a series of disputes Apple is currently embroiled in and they seem to be attracting new one slike flies to .. well something smelly. So far Apple are being sued in the U.S. over faulty antenna design in the iPhone; sued in the U.S. due to overheating iPads; being investigated by the U.S. department of justice for possible anti-competitive practices as a result of their refusal to allow Adobe's Flash on their closed platofrm and there is also talk of the European Union forcing Apple to open up its systems to third party developers. 

Listen up, BlackBerry fans. If you use Music WithMe, the app that lets you sync your BlackBerry device with iTunes, there are some updates on the way. For those of you unfamiliar with the app, it lets you download tracks over your network or Wi-Fi and your songs are stored right on your memory card. It’s really simple and it lets you listen to your music right away. This makes putting media onto your handset so much easier than doing the usual manual drag and drop method.
In case you missed out on the features we mentioned a while ago, here they are:

• Using Wi-Fi or cellular connection, wirelessly syncs iTunes playlists to BlackBerry
• Automatically updates your playlists on your BlackBerry – make changes to your playlists on iTunes and Music WithMe will mirror changes on BlackBerry
• App runs in the background – Music WithMe does not have to be open on BlackBerry to sync
• Works with BlackBerry’s native media player – store and play your tracks as usual

This time, the updates bring even more features:

• Support for iTunes playlist folders – sync your playlist folder on your BlackBerry and any subsequently added playlists to the folder are automatically synced to the device
• New playlist info – In playlist screen, select ‘playlist info’ to view the number of tracks in the playlist that can be played, the number of unsupported tracks due to format or DRM protection as well as the number of tracks in the cloud, tracks needed from iTunes and tracks that can’t be found
• Support for network attached storage/media servers

Getting playlist folders on there is huge so that you can actually keep your music and media organized. In all, it looks like a general and overall improvement for the app, which is good since it can finally justify the $15 cost for many of you that were holding off. See below for the full press release.

ParkVu Announces Updates to Music WithMe BlackBerry App

Music WithMe Unites iTunes With BlackBerry Media Player for Seamless Music Listening Experience

Louisville, KY – July 29, 2010 – ParkVu, innovators in making media truly mobile, today announced new features and significant user experience enhancements for the Music WithMe BlackBerry* app. Simplifying music listening for a new generation of music lovers who want all their music on their smartphone, anytime, anywhere, Music WithMe wirelessly syncs users’ iTunes playlists with their BlackBerry, via a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. No longer tethered to cables or a secondary music playing device, Music WithMe provides an easy way for smartphone owners to have their favorite music with them on the go.

“The user response we’ve received since launch has been phenomenal. BlackBerry owners love that they can get all their iTunes music on their smartphone wirelessly – and they can use their BlackBerry media player for playback,” said Jeff Fedor, co-CEO of ParkVu. “With the user in mind we have introduced new features to Music WithMe including an enhanced sync experience, making it even easier for BlackBerry owners to leave their digital music player at home and use their smartphone as their primary music listening device.”

Using a cellular network or Wi-Fi connection, Music WithMe automatically and wirelessly downloads music files from users’ iTunes collection to their BlackBerry smartphone. Now with the latest version, BlackBerry owners can track the status of their downloads. For each playlist, for example, users can see how many tracks have been uploaded to the cloud and how many have yet to be uploaded from iTunes. In addition, Music WithMe now has the ability to sync music libraries that are stored in network attached storage locations.

Music WithMe allows for remote wireless syncing and, unlike streaming solutions, once music is downloaded, no wireless connection is required meaning no more data is used – saving money and battery power and providing a dependable music listening experience regardless of cellular reception. Tracks are downloaded directly to the BlackBerry memory card and are played as usual.

From within the app, users select which iTunes playlists they want stored on their BlackBerry smartphone. Music WithMe then works with iTunes on the PC to ensure that any changes made to the playlists are automatically reflected on their BlackBerry smartphone.

Music WithMe does not have to be open on the device to sync with iTunes. When the desired playlists are selected, the settings are stored directly on the BlackBerry smartphone. Using BlackBerry smartphone’s native media player, users can listen to their favorite songs from iTunes directly on their device.

Music WithMe New Features

• Playlist status display – Number of playable tracks, not supported tracks (video or DRM protected), tracks in the cloud, tracks needed from iTunes, tracks that cannot be found
• Support for music libraries that are stored in network attached storage locations
• Support for playlists with duplicate names – user added “audiobooks” or “recently added” playlist
• Playlist selection preserved across devices and if app is reinstalled
• Support for iTunes playlist folders

Availability

Music WithMe is available at BlackBerry App World for a one-time fee of $14.99 after a free 30-day trial.

About ParkVu

ParkVu provides the easiest way to wirelessly sync and download your music on iTunes to your smartphone. Founded in 2008, ParkVu’s WithMe family of software meets the smartphone consumer’s demand for instant access to their media files, regardless of location, time or file size. ParkVu, with offices in Waterloo, Canada and Louisville, Kentucky, is a privately held company with backing from the Commonwealth Seed Capital through the Cabinet For Economic Development and the Kentucky Economic Development and Finance Authority. ParkVu is a BlackBerry Alliance Select Member. For more information, please visit https://music.withme.com