Earlier today, LG announced its latest flagship smartphone, the G2, which the company firmly believes is the best smartphone it has ever built. In addition to the latest high-end specifications — like a 1080p display, a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, and a 13-megapixel camera — it also comes with a whole host of new software features that hope to give the Galaxy S4 a run for its money.

We’ve rounded up five of the best, and you can find out all about them below.

Answer Me

According to LG, gone are the days of having to swipe or click your mobile phone in order to answer it. With the new G2, when you receive a phone call you simply pick up the phone and raise it to your ear, then the phone will automatically silence the ringtone and answer the call – just like an old-school wired telephone.

Answer Me is particularly useful in winter or in colder weather when you find yourself wearing gloves.

Answer Me is particularly useful in winter or in colder weather when you find yourself wearing gloves or if you’re walking with a hot cup of coffee – well any drink really – in your hands, you don’t have to stop to either take off your gloves or put down your drink in order to answer your phone, where you face the possible likelihood of missing the call because it has taken you too long to answer it.

Guest Mode

The G2 has an innovative and revolutionary new feature entitled “Guest Mode,” which effectively adds another user account to your handset. Guest Mode is added by setting a different lock pattern; unlock the device using your personal pattern and you will be greeted with all of your applications, pictures, files and personal/private information, and if you unlock the device by drawing the letter ‘G’ (which comes programmed as standard for your guest account, but is fully customizable) you will be logged into the Guest account.

When in Guest Mode you will be able to browse around a separate partition of the G2.

When in Guest Mode you will be able to browse around a separate partition of the G2, granting you access to a different library of applications, games, music, pictures, videos, wallpapers, emails and contacts.

https://youtu.be/DhQKxfvg4qI*

The video above demonstrates how Guest Mode can be used for different users, more specifically children. In this short clip, a child attempts to grab his father’s G2, who quickly takes it back in order to put it into Guest Mode; this acts as a ‘safety net’ to prevent anyone from stumbling upon content that may not be appropriate for them.

*(Update: This video has now been removed by LG, with no reason given)

QuickRemote

QuickRemote is fairly similar to Samsung’s WatchON application, only better, empowering users to control a whole range of infrared devices, including; Hi-Fi systems, TV’s, and Game Consoles.

QuickRemote is fairly similar to Samsung’s WatchON application, only better.

LG’s newly developed application has a “learn” feature which enables it to function like any other remote control and learn its functions. This is the hidden formula which allows it to control pretty much all infrared device.

When you enter the QuickRemote application, it will automatically scan for devices which it can connect to, it will then proceed to “learn” the function of the device and design an interface that is suitable.

Plug & Pop

Plug & Pop is extremely similar to Samsung’s “Recommended Shortcuts” which is toggled whenever you insert a set of headphones into the headphone jack or remove the S Pen from a handset in the Note range.

The applications recommended are completely unique and tailored to the handset’s user.

However, Plug & Pop is slightly different, when you plug in either headphones or a USB cable your customised applications at the bottom of your screen will disappear, and will be replaced with new applications which your G2 believes you are most likely to use with the accessory you inserted; some of which could be Spotify, Google Play Music, Music Player, SoundCloud, Twitter, File Manager and the Calculator. The applications recommended are completely unique and tailored to the handset’s user.

The video above shows just how easy and seamless Plug & Pop is. The user simply inserted a set of headphones, and within a couple of seconds he was greeted with a secondary menu of applications. This menu consisted of the Music Player, Videos, TV and Phone applications – the standard most common apps used with a set of headphones.

KnockON

KnockON is a simple, yet intriguing addition to the G2. If you wish to wake the device, you simply tap twice on the screen.

You simply hold the phone normally and tap on the screen twice, and instantly the device will wake up.

This means you can wake the device up without having to search around the handset for the little button placed somewhere on the phone which switches it on. Instead, you simply hold the phone normally and tap on the screen twice, and instantly the device will wake up.

KnockON can also be used to ‘KnockOFF’ the G2. When you’re finished with the device, you simply tap twice on the screen, and it will automatically put itself to sleep. Thus meaning, you don’t have to search around the handset looking for the correct button to turn it off.