Having announced the LG Optimus 3D at Mobile World Congress, AT&T today announced the LG Thrill 4G at CTIA Wireless in Orlando. The LG Thrill 4G will be among the first mobile devices to deliver a glasses-free 3D experience - allowing users to both view 3D content and shoot 3D video.

Soon after the LG Optimus 3D was announced, Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab interviewed 197 existing Smartphone owners in the US to understand their interest in both a 3D display and 3D camera.

Slightly over half of respondents were interested in a device with 3D recording capabilities while 42% of respondents expressed interest in being able to view 3D content on their mobile phone.

When asked to give reasons as to why they were interested, the idea of 3D was seen as an interesting proposition. Many respondents felt that 3D was an advanced technology they would like to see on their device. 3D also seems to bring a certain 'Wow Factor', with words like cool, great and awesome featuring prominently. A number of respondents mentioned that they would not want to have to wear glasses for viewing 3D on a mobile phone ? a requirement that the Optimus 3D and Thrill 4G satisfy. The word cloud below represents reasons given for participants interested in a phone with 3D capabilities.

For those respondents less interested in having 3D capabilities on their phone, many felt that that it was a gimmick, and was not a necessity. A number of respondents had concerns that the screen size of a mobile phone would be too small for viewing 3D content, while several respondents commented that watching 3D content made them feel dizzy or sick. Some respondents also felt 3D may make the phone more expensive.

Strategy Analytics Wireless Device Lab will be conducting a full review of either the LG Optimus 3D or LG Thrill 4G when it is available. WDL clients can also read a review of announcements from Mobile World Congress, including the LG Optimus 3D - MWC 2011 - 3D and Mobile Gaming Experiences in the Spotlight.

- Paul Brown