Glasses-free 3D comes to mobiles with LG's Optimus
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.First 3D took off at the cinema before moving into the living room with the rise of 3D televisions, now it is coming to mobile phones – and without the need for silly glasses.
LG Electronics announced the launch of the Optimus 3D at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona yesterday. The company also revealed it had struck a deal with YouTube to provide users with 3D mobile content.
Jong-seok Park, the chief executive of LG, said the phone was "our answer to two major pain points of the current 3D experience: limited mobility and specialised glasses".
The group also launched a 3D-enabled tablet device. The devices will be available on Orange when they launch in the UK in the spring.
Analysts at CCS Insight said that while consumer demand for 3D "remains unclear and will be widely viewed as a gimmick," the experience after having played with the phone "is better than many will expect". The Optimus, which has a 4.3in touch screen and is powered by the Google-developed Android operating system, has twin cameras so users can also shoot in 3D. The content can then be uploaded to YouTube and viewed by others who have the device.
Delegates flocked to LG's stand to test the device yesterday. Not all were impressed, with some complaining it hurt their eyes after a while.
While this is the first 3D phone from a major manufacturer, Nintendo has already brought glasses-free 3D to the small screen with the launch of hand-held console The Nintendo 3GS announced last year.
The announcement of LG's phone followed the unveiling of Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play, dubbed the "PlayStation phone". The device runs on the latest Android smartphones. Gamers can slide down the controls which have dual touchpads, and will be able to download PlayStation games when it launches later this year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments