The benefits of 3D smartphones

3D films are becoming increasingly popular, both at the cinema and even at home. But now high-tech mobile phones with 3D-capable screens have started emerging to offer the same great entertainment experience while on-the-move.

If you’re thinking of buying a 3D smartphone or are unsure how one would fit into your life, why not sit back, relax and let us run you through the major benefits of owning a 3D smartphone.

Do I need special 3D glasses?

You don’t need to wear special glasses to see 3D films or images on a 3D smartphone - as you currently do on 3D TVs. This makes 3D smartphones ideal for enjoy immersive entertainment while on the bus or train.

A 3D smartphone is, as the term suggests, simply a smartphone that’s capable of showing content in 3D. But its 3D capabilities are reserved for a few key features, including:

• Movies and games
• Screensavers
• Extras, such as 3D video and picture capture.

The best 3D smartphones

A handful of mobile phone manufacturers have already launched 3D smartphones.

However, the most talked about 3D smartphone is the LG Optimus 3D. It’s expected to launch in April 2011, but network price plans haven’t been revealed yet. The phone will likely command expensive monthly fees and is likely to retail for up to £550 on a sim-free basis.

3D movies and games

Watching films and playing videogames in 3D is sure to be one of the biggest selling points of 3D smartphones.

Details of how and where you’ll get 3D smartphone films from, and how much they’ll cost, are still being ironed out. It’s widely expected that online 3D download stores - similar to iTunes and Android Market - will soon emerge to service your every 3D whim.

These stores will also probably let you download 3D videogames directly onto your 3D smartphone.

LG, for example, has already formed a partnership with several big-name game developers, including Gameloft, to create 3D versions of new and popular videogames. It’s even rumoured that a 3D Angry Birds videogame is in the works.

Shooting videos in 3D

3D smartphones will also let you take your own 3D videos because they come with two lenses on the back - instead of the normal one - to mimic how your eyes see the world.

Just imagine snapping videos of your friends at the beach or in a bar and then seeing them in glorious 3D on your smartphone’s screen.

You’ll also be able to shoot 3D mini-movies on your 3D smartphone, such as the LG Optimus 3D.

Sharing 3D content

In addition to the normal ways of sharing content between phones, such as Bluetooth, the LG Optimus 3D smartphone has an exclusive partnership with YouTube 3D - a special version of the website dedicated to 3D mini-movies, adverts and film trailers.

This means any videos shot in 3D on your smartphone can then be easily uploaded onto YouTube 3D for friends and family to enjoy.

However, they’ll need a 3D TV or other 3D-capable gadget to see your films in 3D.

Drawbacks

Video quality: One of the biggest existing drawbacks of 3D smartphones is the quality of their screens.

While phones like the LG Optimus 3D might blow you away with their 3D capabilities, some still can’t match up to the stunningly clear and bright videos that phones including the HTC Desire S offer.

3D content: Cinemas might currently be bursting at the seams with 3D movies, but the amount of 3D content available through the likes of Sky and Virgin is still sorely lacking. And it’s this demand that, currently, means 3D smartphone owners don’t have a huge amount of downloadable 3D content to choose between.

However, it’s worth noting that the amount of available 3D content for smartphones will grow in-line with the number of 3D smartphones sold over the coming 12 months. The iPhone App Store, for example, didn’t have many apps under its wing upon launch, but now its virtual shelves offer over 250,000 different apps.

Cost: 3D smartphones will remain a premium product for some time yet, just like the iPhone 4 and other top-end smartphones.

Some mobile networks may sell 3D smartphones without an up-front fee, but you will probably still need to sign an expensive monthly contract.

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