CES 2009: LG Shows First ‘Market Ready’ 3G Touch Watch Phone

Proving that innovation (insanity) is by no means dead, LG was very proud to officially demonstrate the world’s first 3G Watch Phone with a touchscreen, making an early entry into the most spurious “world’s first” claim of 2009 in the process. As noted in December, the Touch Watch Phone (model no.: LG-GD910) is to be sold exclusively in Europe in the second half of 2009. It’s a 3G quad-band…erm…phone and Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, had this to say about it:

“Our new 3G Touch Watch Phone is stylish, sophisticated and the height of technology, but it’s also undeniably fun. How else can you reenact (sic) those scenes from your favorite (sic) sci-fi or spy movie?”

So, if you want something to mess around with the GD910 should keep you amused for about five minutes, but there is a little more substance to it, too. 7.2Mbps HSDPA and a front facing video camera makes video calling very easy and voice commands can be used to place calls and look up contacts, without connecting a Bluetooth headset.

It also features a colourful 1.43in touch sensitive screen. Naturally enough the menus are designed with this in mind, with large buttons that LG reckons should make using the GD910 painless. Pricing is unknown, but if a watch phone with a touchscreen will bring you eternal happiness, 2009 is going to be a good year for you

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Hyundai Mobile Launching Wristwatch Phone

So it seems manufacturers do want us all talking to our wrists in the future…

This week Hyundai Mobile joins LG in launching its own mobile phone watch in the shape of the ‘MP-910’. Essentially a more budget friendly alternative to the GD910, the similarly model numbered MP-910 goes back to basics.

It uses a 132 x 176 pixel 65k colour touchscreen display, has support for Bluetooth 2.0 for streaming calls directly to a wireless headset, supports SMS and MMS (come on, if a watch can do it Apple…), and lasts a remarkable 70 hours in standby and a more typical three hours in call.

At just 58 x 44 x 16 mm and weighing a mere 58g the MP-910 is also pretty light. As for the omissions, they range from the disappointing (3G) to the more realistic (camera, GPS, WiFi). There’s also no word on whether support will be included for either MP3 playback or expandable memory. That said with the watch phone coming in at a reasonably competitive £200 sim free (we’re unaware of any networks adopting it at this stage) it could prove something of a slow burn fashion accessory.

“The Hyundai Mobile brand is about the latest cutting edge technology at a price point which is accessible to the masses,” said Hyundai Mobile director Roland Prinz. “We have high hopes for the MB-910’s entry to the UK market. We are delighted to confirm that we intend to make the MB-910 available in the UK and we will announce our specific plans shortly.”

So that’s two phone watches in quick succession and I’ll be interested to see whether they mark the start of a new trend or just the latest passing fad…

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