Both HTC and Samsung are arguably among the most popular manufacturers on the Android platform these days, and both companies supply handsets that run non-standard Android software. Now we can tell you that the LG Optimus UI 3.0 will do battle with the Sense and TouchWiz Android overlays from Samsung and HTC.

The company has announced an update to its Android overlay that is called Optimus UI 3.0, which according to Digital Trends will include several new features that will make their debuts on the Optimus 4X HD and Optimus LTE 2 soon. Before now LG hasn’t really made much noise about its Android user interface, and while there will be many that are aware of the offerings from Samsung and HTC, the same can’t be said of LG’s UI.

This new UI though has been given a complete overhaul with a number of new features added, and while some Android fans dislike these Android skins, average users may not even know there is a difference to the stock Android software. The company is labelling the new Optimus UI “faster, simpler, and more convenient”, and it will be added to all new Android ICS devices.

There will be a new unlock system to allow users to access a favourite application instantly, a voice controlled shutter for the camera, images can be customized to be used for icons and shortcuts, and a burst mode for selecting the best shot from a series of images. A new Quick Memo feature that has been seen on the Optimus Vu has now become part of the UI, and allows users to write notes on the screen before saving and sharing them to social networks or email.

It has also been announced that a simpler version of the Optimus UI 3.0 will be available for people new to smartphones, and will pull together the most popular apps and features for ease of access, but it is not currently clear if this is a setting in the Android skin or will only be available on cheaper Android ICS handsets.

The Android overlay will go up against the recently announced HTC Sense 4.0 and the new version of Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface coming with the Galaxy S3. Optimus UI 3.0 will make its first appearance on the Optimus LTE 2 this week in Korea, and the rest of the world will have to wait until the release of the Optimus 4X HD, which hits the UK and Europe next month. It is believed the handset will reach the US and Asia later this year.