Manufacturer reveals first details of ‘L-Style’ handsets to be showcased at Mobile World Congress next week

LG has announced three new smartphones to be unveiled at the upcoming Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.

The handset manufacturer has not revealed full detail about the devices, and said market availability and additional hardware specifications will be announced in due course.

The Optimus L3 (pictured left) has a 3.2 inch screen and will launch first in Europe next month.

This will be followed by the Optimus L5 (pictured centre) with its four inch display and L7 (pictured right), which will feature a 4.3 inch screen. Both will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

LG Mobile Communications president and CEO Dr. Jong-seok Park said: “Design is the top or second most important factor for customers when choosing a mobile phone.

“With smartphones, we sometimes took a more functional approach to design but with L-Style we’re going back to our roots as a company focused on how our products fit into the lifestyle of our customers.”

With unemployment numbers at a 17-year high and few signs of economic recovery on the horizon, Mobile News asks the dealer channel about the challenges it is facing

With the economic stagnation and little chance of a recovery in sight, the mobile industry might be expected to have the state of the economy at the top of its agenda.

And with unemployment rising, firms are cutting rather than raising the number of work mobiles that they need.

Firms serving the public sector are likely to be especially hard-hit, as cuts are expected to result in the loss of 610,000 public sector jobs between 2010 and 2015.

While the Government insists that the private sector will eventually expand to fill that gap, there is little sign

Everything Everywhere distributor now enabling its dealers to create, download and use bespoke marketing material about handsets to help boost sales

Mainline Digital Communications has launched an online sales support tool for its dealers with the aim of enhancing their proposition to customers and boosting sales.

The support tool, which is free to download from www.mainline.uk.com/blueprint, creates bespoke marketing material with information about handsets, including an image of the device, description, key features and specifications.

Dealers log into their account with Mainline, where the tool will automatically update their logo. They can then choose the handsets required, and the specification sheet or backing card template they would like.

They can brand templates with their own corporate colours, preview a PDF and print off the amount of sheets required.

Mainline managing director Andrew Boden said: “This excellent new service is a great addition to Mainline’s portfolio and ensures dealers have up-to-date, professionally-presented information on every handset available for use as point of sale, or to be included in business proposals.

“It helps independent resellers to compete effectively, seal the deal and enhance sales.”

Shebang Business Solutions managing director leaves company to set up Pomegranate Soup, with former employer becoming her first client 

Tanny Cordingley has left her role as Shebang Business Solutions managing director to set up her own consultancy firm, Pomegrante Soup.

Cordingley, who has worked in the mobile industry for 20 years with Avenir, Vodafone, Brightstar and Shebang, set up the business this month.

She described it as a “blend of different services” across a number of different business sectors, including mobile.

Services offered include help with cost optimisation, business strategy, PR and marketing, and recruitment.

Cordingley joined Shebang last May to head its Business Solutions division, leading its B2B franchise programme