LG Launches Android Phones and "Smart TV" [LIVE]

LG is about to kick off CES press day by revealing its line of new smartphones, TVs, 3-D products and connected devices.

We are here live at the LG press conference in Las Vegas, where LG's top executives are unveiling the company's new products, including a new suite of Android and WP7 phones, 3-D TVs, smart devices and a new type of connected "Smart TV."

My live notes are below:

Live Notes: LG Press Conference

All times are in Pacific Standard Time

8:03 AM: LG North America CEO Wayne Park has taken the stage.

8:04: Competitiveness, preparedness, quality and people.

8:05: Park is explaining the company's growth in multiple markets. It's standard "our company is great" talk.

8:09: Skott Ahn, CTO of LG North America, has taken the stage.

8:11: LG is launching a new line of connected TVs. They're called "Smart TV."

8:13: Highlights: USB connectivity, a bottom bar for accessing your favorite apps and more. It comes with "premium content" including Netflix, Picasa, Hulu Plus and YouTube.

8:13: There will be an app store for LG TVs.

8:14: LG is also launching a set-top box that brings Smart TV to any TV. Same features, but to any TV.

8:15: LG is introducing "Cinema 3D," a new type of 3-D technology that lets users wear lighter glasses, view from wider angles and eases strain on the eyes.

8:17: LG is introducing the Optimus line of phones. The Optimus Black: an Android phone that weights 3.8 oz, is 0.36 thick and introduces the "NOVA" display. 700 nit. vs. the traditional 450 nit. This is the dual-core phone we've been hearing about.

8:18: LG just played a short video demonstrating the phone.

8:20: LG is showing off its line of connected devices. It has a connected washer and dryer on display that can connect to your Android phone. There's also a Roomba-type vacuum and house cleaner that can also be accessed via Android.

8:22: LG is participating in a Smart Grid project to create better energy storage system verification and a "Smart Watts" pilot project in the EU to provide real-time energy pricing.

8:23: Ahn is wrapping up. Oh, no tablets until tomorrow. We have to go to yet another event.

8:25: Patrick Steinkuhl, product insight strategist for LG's home appliances division, is now on stage.

8:27: Smarter cleaning. It's about laundry technology and its Roomba-light "Hom-Bot." Not quite my cup of tea, but dual camera localization and mapping for its remote vacuum is pretty cool.

8:28: LG really likes its connected appliances. It envisions fridges that adjust temperature to save energy and can be controlled remotely, among many other possibilities.

8:31: LG is talking more in-depth about Smart TV. It's a nice interface. Wi-Fi adaptor included or built-in, Smart Share technology and access to the web browser are included.

8:33: Smart TV performed better than Google TV or Apple TV in its focus group tests.

8:35: LG is focused on picture quality with NANO full LED and micro pixel control.

8:36: LG is introducing 31 new models, nine of them with Nano LED, eight of them will have Smart TV and five of them will have 3-D. It's introducing 12 models of Plasma TV as well.