This year's smartphones: Battle of the gimmicks
With 170 Android devices now on the market, smartphone makers are looking to stand out. The latest trend? Quirky features that go after very specific niches.
LG Optimus 3D
Gimmick: 3D
The LG Optimus 3D is the first 3D smartphone, and, as if it needed one, it comes with a kicker: you don't need glasses to see the 3D effect. The Optimus 3D also allows you to take 3D photos and videos.
Whether or not the device is ready for primetime is in the eye of the beholder. The 3D is certainly cool, but the images were a little fuzzy in our tests -- and quickly became nauseating to watch.
Not for you? LG has a line of high-end Optimus smartphones that come in good old-fashioned 2D.
By David Goldman, staff writer
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Gimmick: PlayStation controller
The first "PlayStation-certified" phone, the Xperia Play converts from an Android Phone to a handheld PlayStation device by pulling out the controller drawer. The Xperia Play will come with pre-loaded games, and users can download more PlayStation games from an online store.
Not for you? Sony Ericsson also unveiled two more nearly identical Xperia phones, the Neo and the Pro, the latter of which has a pull-out keyboard rather than a pull-out controller.
HTC Salsa and HTC ChaCha
• Everyone is making Facebook phones - except Facebook
Gimmick: Facebook button
Facebook is fine and everything, but HTC decided it was time to take mobile social networking to the next level with two "Facebook phones," the Salsa and the ChaCha. Both devices come with a dedicated Facebook button for access to core Facebook tasks like updates and places. Photos, status updates and location can also be uploaded with a press of the button.
Not for you? HTC has one of the widest arrays of Android smartphones, from the very high end to the low end. None of their other devices have a Facebook button, but downloading the Facebook app offers pretty good integration with the social network.
INQ Cloud Touch and INQ Cloud Q
• Everyone is making Facebook phones
- except Facebook
Gimmick: Facebook on your phone's homepage
If you live and breathe Facebook, INQ's Cloud Touch and Cloud Q might be up your dream device. These phones have no need for a Facebook button, because Facebook is their primary function.
Both gadgets feature a homepage that serves as a visualized Facebook feed, including a display of friends' updates, pictures, videos and Web links. The phones also have launcher apps that go right to Facebook chat, friends, messages, wall and notifications.
Not for you? Widely unknown INQ got a lot of people talking at this year's Mobile World Congress about how quirky the company is. Its only other smartphone has a "chat" gimmick too. Probably best to look somewhere else.
Motorola Atrix
• The PC ain't dead yetGimmick: Becomes a quasi-laptop
When Microsoft (or CNNMoney editors) argue that PCs are never going to die, Motorola has a rebuttal: the Atrix. When docked into a separately sold accessory that is essentially just a keyboard and a screen, the smartphone becomes a quasi-laptop.
Its "laptop" capabilities are limited to the Web and very few other netbook-like functions, but it's an impressive start. The Atrix is the first smartphone with a dual-core processor, giving it the necessary processing power to handle transforming into a notebook.
Not for you? Well, you don't have to buy the $499 accessory. The Atrix is one of the highest-functioning smartphones available on its own right. But Motorola also offers several other smartphones, including the popular Droid 2 and Droid X models.
Credit: CNN (www.cnn.com)
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