LG G3s first to get the Lollipop upgrade

LG Electronics says it is the first global smartphone manufacturer to offer the Lollipop upgrade in 2014. The new version of the Android operating system which is used in smartphones, Android 5.0 or "Lollipop", will be rolled out to its G3 smartphones starting in Poland the week of November 10, to be followed by other key markets in the near future, LG said. 

Source: LG.

This latest Android OS delivers a host of improvements including added depth, shadows and animations. Notifications are improved with a new layout and colour scheme and will be available on the new lock screen. A new security feature to strengthen the connectivity between devices will include enabling users to unlock their smartphone when it is physically near a pre-registered Bluetooth device such as the LG G Watch or G Watch R. 

“LG is absolutely committed to giving our customers the best mobile experiences available and bringing Android Lollipop to G3 owners as soon as possible is a top priority,” said Dr Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of the LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The new features and improvements in Android 5.0 will bring a whole new user experience to the G3 and make it even better than it already is.”

Additional details related to LG devices, including an upgrade schedule for other LG mobile devices, will be announced in the near future as the Lollipop upgrade becomes available in local markets.

McAfee and LG partner to bring anti-theft feature to G3 smartphone

McAfee, part of Intel Security, and LG Electronics have announced that the new LG G3 is pre-installed with a unique version of McAfee Mobile Security that includes an anti-theft feature designed to protect G3 users from unauthorised factory resets. 

Source: LG website. The G3.

A 'Kill' Switch allows users to disable their phones even if they are lost or stolen. Content can also be deleted to prevent personal information from being compromised. 

The McAfee Mobile Security lock screen blocks attempts to reset the phone, requires password authentication, and can be controlled by the user from the device or the a web console. 

Smartphones have become a target for criminals because of their monetary value and the personal data that consumers store on them. The growing prevalence of malware is also a concern for mobile users. McAfee’s Consumer Mobile Security Report findings show that the quantity of Android malware rose 197% between December 2012 and December 2013.

“The implementation of the Kill Switch feature is just one of several specific measures we are taking to ensure that our users can easily and comprehensively protect themselves from the growing threat landscape, both physical and online,” said Dr. Ramchan Woo, Head, smartphone planning division of LG.  

“Our collaboration with LG is intended to develop unique means of protecting users’ digital lives,” said David Freer, Vice President, Consumer – APAC at McAfee. 

Through a multi-year global partnership, LG G3 is now equipped with a unique version of McAfee Mobile Security to protect users from security and privacy threats and identity theft. Antivirus, data backup, remote lock and wipe, and remote tracking are all available through the McAfee app for five years at no cost.

McAfee Mobile Security has been pre-installed and the Kill Switch feature has been automatically activated on LG G3 phones from May 28. McAfee Mobile Security is available for free on the Google Play Store.

Read more about the free version of McAfee Mobile Security here.