LG KU990 Viewty: The YouTube phone is unveiled

LG isn't renowned for high-end camera phones but that doesn't mean that the company behind the fashion-centric Chocolate phone can't make one. In fact it can and it has -- and no, we're not talking about the LG KG920. The LG KU990 Viewty, formerly know as the NYX, might have an awful name but it features a whopping 5-megapixel camera with a nifty touchscreen interface and YouTube functionality.

Similar to the LG Prada phone, the LG KU990 comes in a glossy black casing and features a large display. The touchscreen interface produces small vibrations that make it easier to sense when you've touched it, a system that Motorola also uses in its Motorola Razr 2 V8, and one we think works really well.

The 5-megapixel camera on the back comes with a Schneider Kreuznach lens, autofocus and manual focus, image stabilisation and LED photo light, but more interestingly -- or curiously -- it can shoot video at up to 120 frames per second. The reason we're curious about the high frame rate is because it's about four times higher than a standard camcorder and is usually intended for viewing videos in slow motion or shooting fast-moving action footage.

Whether or not viewing slow-motion clips is your thing, the KU990 does one thing that'll please many: it has the ability to upload videos directly to YouTube, a feature that many iPhone users would love to see. You can also watch YouTube videos on the handset.

The LG KU990 is set to come out soon on 3 and other major networks. Pricing has yet to be announced and we're uncertain on all the final specs, but we're getting one in very soon. We'll post a hands-on with more juicy details as soon as we do -- watch this space. -Andrew Lim

Update: An LG KU990 Viewty review is now live on the site.