LG will unveil the world's first full 3D smartphone - the LG Optimus 3D - later this month.
The company says the combination of 3D technology and the mobile phone, in this instance, addresses the lack of 3D content, since the handset's dual-lens camera for 3D recording allows users to create their own material.
At a Business Bites ThinkTank discussion last week, Talk Radio 702 talk show host Aki Anastasiou said 3D will be a game-changer this year, but only once more content becomes available.
He also mentioned that manufacturers would have to get around the 3D glasses catch that deters consumers, adding that a new Nintendo DS console will be released this year that does not require the 3D glasses.
LG says its new mobile device offers a complete 3D platform and a glasses-free 3D viewing experience on its LCD panel. “It also features diverse connectivity options such as HDMI and DLNA for instant 3D-content-sharing,” says LG of the Optimus.
The handset will be unveiled at the 2011 Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain, later this month and will be available to South African consumers from June.
Geek toy
“LG missed the smartphone revolution in 2010 and has come back strong with a line-up of super-powerful Android-based phones, to try turn the situation around. One of these is their 3D phone,” says WWW Strategy MD Steven Ambrose.
He adds that the device has specific appeal and will be used as a technology showpiece and platform to push LG's mobile phone business.
However, he says it will not be a big volume seller for two main reasons: pricing and the current complete lack of program material.
“Gaming is the most obvious use and, until sufficient games with 3D become available, the device will remain a bit of a geek toy and showpiece.”
Infant ecosystem
Video consumption on mobile phones will increase in the next year, but there are no plans from the providers for 3D mobile content as yet and that will probably only emerge in the next two to three years, adds Ambrose.
“3D works best on very large screens, especially for video content. The entire ecosystem is in its infancy and will take a year or two to become compelling.
“The entire environment has also been seriously over-hyped, and will not, in my opinion, go mainstream in a huge way. It will find a niche in large screen video and gaming, but will never offer an optimal viewing environment on the screen sizes available and practical for mobile phones.”
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