LG’s first Android device just received an announcement today and it will come to the US under Verizon’s banner. Called the LG Ally, the handset has quite the poignant selling point – it’s a full-fledged Android 2.1 smartphone for only $99.99.
From the sound of things, LG isn’t skinning Android the way HTC has done with Sense UI. Instead, the handset will contain the default Android experience, which isn’t half bad, considering it’s the same interface embraced by the Nexus One. Verizon is throwing in some widgets of their own to complement the onboard Google apps, including a social networking one called Socialite for Ally.
Key details of the LG Ally include a 3.2-inch touchscreen, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2 megapixel camera module (with flash and video recording up to 16GB), aGPS, Bluetooth 2.1 and microSD card expansion (up to 16GB). It will support both 3G and WiFi, as well as come with all of Android 2.1′s slew of features that include free turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps Navigation.
While a vanilla Android experience doesn’t seem all that enticing, given HTC, Sony Ericsson and Motorola’s ventures into improving the user interface, the pricing does make the case for the lack of customization. A complete Android 2.1 smartphone (with decent looks, good specs and a full QWERTY keypad to boot) is just a great deal for a single Benjamin, even with a new agreement and a $100 rebate in tow.
Pre-orders for the LG Ally begin tomorrow, with the phones dropping in stores on May 20th.
