LG promises OTA updates to smartphones

The LG OTA updates app and remote assistance services got their debut in Korea and now LG is making it clear it will offer the same services widely to Europe, the Asia Pacific region and South and Central America throughout the second half of the year to its premium line of Optimus smartphones - the Black, 2X and 3D.

First off, customers will get the FOTA app - "firmware over-the-air" so they can get the most current updates for their phones wirelessly (as other makes offer them). This way LG Optimus owners will get software updates directly to their phones without the need to connect to a PC.

The remote call service will be region and operator-dependent and will connect users to a member of customer service through 3G or Wi-Fi, should a problem occur with their phones. Thus users won't have the need to necessarily visit an LG Customer Information Center or a service-station. This will be done through the pre-loaded "Remote Call" application.

Once the user is registered, LG's remote customer care assistants will get wireless access to the smartphone in order to quickly see what the problem is. Customer Information Center assistants won't get access to private information like emails, messages, pictures and calendars unless the customer has consented to it.

Both services will be made available in the second half of this year.