Like peas in a pod: Korea Telecom combines phone, TV remote

Sure, there are literally hundreds of apps to turn that otherwise limited-use IR window found on many phones into a remote control, but how many phones are designed from the ground up to serve double duty? Not many, we think -- especially ones with names like "Cutie." South Korea's Korea Telecom is introducing a handful of phones in its "Ann" series -- including the pictured "Ann Sweety" from Samsung -- that function both as cordless telephones and as remotes for all manner of home entertainment devices. The phones also handle SMS messages, meaning that it's finally possible to turn on the tube and immediately stop paying attention it while you send a text in one fluid motion.