Maybe this makes me sound curmudgeonly, but I balk at the idea of a 3D cell phone screen. Think about your average smartphone user. They're not basking in the experience of their phone's visual effects. They're running around texting or tweeting or checking Facebook. They always seem to be in a hurry. You'd think maybe gaming in a waiting room would provide the necessary time to soak up a phone's visual capacity, but even that's a situation rife with impatience. It doesn't matter how pretty a phone's display is. No one's going to slow down to appreciate it. 

Phones get by more on efficiency than glamor. At least they should; sure, you're always going to have your Apple geeks crying for the white iPhone, but for the most part, we're doing our mobile duties on little black slabs that don't look like much. A good resolution is nice for videos and games, sure. But adding 3D to the mix?

Two phones have so far attempted to incorporate this tenuous tech fad into their features: the LG Optimus 3D and the newly released HTC Evo 3D. The Evo rides on the success of its predecessor, the Evo 4G, which became the Android phone upon its release. Its functionality in 2D mode hasn't weakened; apparently the Evo is still a rock solid smartphone. But throwing in 3D seems perplexing. Not only do these phones support 3D playback, they also allow users to take 3D photos and videos. I'm not really sure what the extra dimension adds to home videos. Let's be honest: that shot of your buddy falling off his skateboard on a botched ollie isn't going to look that much better if it pops off the screen a little. Not to mention you can't share 3D photos and videos unless it's with someone who also has a 3D phone--and with only two on the market, I'm guessing most of your friends haven't jumped on the trend yet. 

Phones just seem a weird place to put 3D. I don't even like it on the big screen; my brain can already do the work of separating out the foreground from the background, thanks. But even 3D believers might not see the use of incorporating the feature into a mobile device. It's awesome that it's even a possibility--hello, future!--but unless we're talking full-on holograms for video chatting a la Star Wars, I'm not sure I'm interested. At a phone's resolution, a 3D effect--especially the automatic, sans-glasses kind--will be pretty limited. It's not like you're going to be able to watch Avatar as James Cameron intended on your Evo. And let's face it; it's not like you're shooting the next Avatar on that tiny little camera of yours. 3D snapshots are cool in theory, but most cell phone pictures that get sent around tend to be blurry drunk self-portraits. Try deciphering those in 3D. I'll bet it's not easier. 

Who knows; maybe this is the future we've been waiting for. But with these phones, my money's on "gimmick" over "progress".