LG's GD910 watch phone clears the FCC, makes beeline for American wrists

It's about time, wouldn't you agree? After finding that Orange would become Europe's first carrier to sell LG's luscious GD910 watch phone, every closet Dick Tracy fan in America began wondering when (and if) LG would make a similar announcement here on US soil. Regrettably, we're still waiting for the official line from the company, but this will certainly suffice for now. The image you see above is being provided courtesy of a freshly released FCC filing, which means precisely one thing: this here watch phone is destined for America. Of course, we suppose LG could have just made the filing for kicks and giggles, but our optimistic imagination simply won't let us believe such a tragedy could ever occur. Hang tight, Yanks -- your dream device just got a lot closer to clearing customs.

[guy943 @ Jul 17th 2009 7:50PM]

Wrist cancer.

(first!)

[themonsteraria @ Jul 18th 2009 8:03AM]

1st to reply to the first!!

[Nikesh @ Jul 18th 2009 11:53AM]

Or penis cancer if you...you know....a lot.

[Shane @ Jul 18th 2009 2:37AM]

i hate lg.....

[mphayvanh @ Jul 17th 2009 8:15PM]

This is coming from the biggest gadget freak ever---but IT'S IMPRACTICAL.

[dsteve303 @ Jul 17th 2009 8:56PM]

I never said that.

[Gad Get @ Jul 17th 2009 8:58PM]

@ dsteve303

I see what you did there.

[dsteve303 @ Jul 17th 2009 9:04PM]

Tehe.

And also, just so you know, billie jean is not my lover.

[Matthew @ Jul 17th 2009 8:19PM]

Anyone else kind of sick of this call to convergence? Yeah, it's handy to have all your needs addressed by one device, but I like variety. If I had one device that could truly do it all, I'd find something else to want. Moreover, the more primary functions a device has, the quicker it becomes obsolete.

I read Engadget because I like gadgets, plural. I know that this watch/phone doesn't claim to do it all, but it kind of points in that direction. To use an analogy that I may or may not have thought all the way through, having a gadget that truly does it all is like running a garage with a Leatherman.

To keep this post relevant/irreverent: Dick Tracy FTW!

[bolezhinkov @ Jul 17th 2009 8:43PM]

you know its just a phone on a wrist band right? cellphones have always been able to tell you what time it was.

[Matthew @ Jul 17th 2009 8:48PM]

Oh, I know. The article just kind of sparked something I'd been feeling about consumer electronics for some time now.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jul 17th 2009 9:22PM]

I actually love the idea of convergency, but only if they can pull it off right.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jul 17th 2009 9:38PM]

So far I've found that my music player, phone, MID, video camera, and GPS can be converged to one with one of the better N-series or HTC phones. The thing is I don't like Symbian or WinMo so I'm still waiting. The one other thing that hasn't been converged is a still camera. Even though a lot of phones have 5+ MP the sensor just isn't good enough.

[Matthew @ Jul 17th 2009 9:57PM]

Gah, my first attempt at replying was eaten up by the Engadget comment monster, so if it reappears, I apologize.

Basically, it boils down to this: the GPS function on my phone is laggy, battery-intensive, and lacks the robustness of a standalone unit. As for media, 16GB is nowhere enough disk space for me, so it's not a viable solution as a PMP. And we both agree on the camera, and that my phone will never replace a point-and-shoot for on-the-go photography simply because the phone's size restricts lens size and depth, as well as the size of the sensor and processing chips. While these features are nice to have, they're pretty much only used 'just for a minute'. I guess it would be like running your main computer completely through webapps: sure, it gets the job done, but only the bare minimum.

[donv69 @ Jul 18th 2009 5:41PM]

Why can't we have something like what the predator has on his forearm; now that would be cool.

[DarkLight @ Jul 18th 2009 5:49PM]

I, for one, agree completely with Matthew.

I'm sick of everyone wanting every device to do everything.

It's not like separate devices are too heavy. It's not like they are too big, either. My non-phone PDA fits perfectly in my pocket, my small mp3 player is always clipped on so I often forget it's there, and if I ever need a cellphone I can get a wristphone, which I won't even notice over my old plain wristwatch.

This way I have almost unlimited battery life (listening to music all day long doesn't decrease the palmtop computing capabilities) and kicka$$ storage amounts (especially since filling the mp3 player with music doesn't decrease the space left for pr0n on the PDA).

As for GPS - is it really necessary? Learn to read maps...

[mbbleach @ Jul 17th 2009 8:37PM]

to bad you would look mentally ill using one of these

[bolezhinkov @ Jul 17th 2009 8:44PM]

it has bluetooth. slightly less mentally ill looking.

[Wwhat @ Jul 18th 2009 10:50AM]

It's always impressive after seeing someone in real life use something like a BT earthingy or a cellphone on speaker to see tv-shows or a movie where the actors manage to look all professional and not like dorks doing the same, makes you appreciate what an effort and practice that took, and how many camera angles and lighting and audio tricks they must have tried to get that right.

[Gad Get @ Jul 17th 2009 8:57PM]

Pun alert! Pun alert!
"It's about time, wouldn't you agree?"

[goriskfreeinc @ Jul 17th 2009 9:17PM]

Where did the 'watch' for a time piece come from? anybody? just curious

[Benson @ Jul 18th 2009 5:28AM]

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=watch

[Zale @ Jul 17th 2009 9:32PM]

Like others have already mentioned, this thing has absolutely no practical use.

The only people who would buy this kind of device would be those who want to show it off.

[MeisterDon @ Jul 17th 2009 10:27PM]

Well no one could really steal it.....As long that it's on your wrist anyway xD

[Benson @ Jul 18th 2009 5:36AM]

Wait... what?!

I carry a mobile on my belt and a fairly robust/clunky watch. You're telling me there's "no practical use" in putting the phone on my wrist and ditching the watch + holster?

While it's certainly not for people who are afraid to have others gawk at them, that doesn't mean the purpose is to inspire gawkage; the purpose is to eliminate a device I carry all the time. (Either that, or the real purpose is to make room on my belt for some other gadget... but since I haven't decided which gadget to add, I'm denying this.)

Anyway, I'm probably not getting one, especially since it's probably not 1700/2100MHz, but I can see the utility of it.

[Wwhat @ Jul 18th 2009 10:54AM]

Nobody is forcing you to carry a robust/clunky watch, they come is light and smooth models too, and you don't need one anyway since there's a clock on your phone, and all over the place in most areas where you need to watch the time a lot.
So it's unfair to make a comparison to something you do to yourself against your own liking it seems.

[GroovDude @ Jul 17th 2009 10:34PM]

So what's the 7th symbol to take me to another planet?

[pete @ Jul 17th 2009 10:50PM]

dear engadget:

Please avoid using sports phrases and stick with the techie puns.

sincerely,

the embarrassed community

[Wwhat @ Jul 18th 2009 11:00AM]

What sports phrase? Am I missing something? I see no sportsphrase.
Unless you mistakenly think beeline is a sports term? Nah can't be, well maybe they changed the article after your post them? Or do you think yanks is a sports term? I'm curious what you are referring too.

[pete @ Jul 18th 2009 3:04PM]

yep your missing something, beeline is a football term.

[Joe K. @ Jul 19th 2009 10:29PM]

Beeline
Main Entry:
1 bee·line
Pronunciation: \-ˌlīn\
Function: noun
Etymology: from the belief that nectar-laden bees return to their hives in a direct line
Date: 1830

Yeah I see a ton of sports in that definition... I cheer for the Honey Bees. Who's you team?

[181 @ Jul 17th 2009 11:31PM]

BILELGMO!

[thedudeabides @ Jul 18th 2009 12:00AM]

How does this work? Do i have to open up a contract for it? I suppose pay as you go but i just couldn't be bothered to have another number for my watch. Is it this Bluetooth also or has the Blutooth watch idea been done yet?

[sk @ Jul 18th 2009 7:43AM]

LG's just announced that the GD910 will start production later in 2009, featuring 7.2Mbps HSDPA, Bluetooth, speakerphone, video calling, voice recognition, an integrated music player and a touchscreen. About $1000

[greenlight @ Jul 18th 2009 7:59AM]

Just take the SIM card out of your regular phone and put it in the watch phone?

[Xoyuji @ Jul 18th 2009 12:20AM]

Can you change the band on the watch at least.

[Marksmen @ Jul 18th 2009 1:28AM]

I'm still waiting for the Android watch...

[Wwhat @ Jul 18th 2009 11:01AM]

Why not a whole android arm, don't limit yourself.

[Up Is Down @ Jul 18th 2009 2:12AM]

I'll pass.

[Ed T @ Jul 18th 2009 10:01AM]

I'm so glad it has the "solid stainless steel back".Those darned porous backs let in too much water.

[Elvis @ Jul 18th 2009 11:52AM]

If the thing ran android, I'd buy one, even at a grand. I certainly don't need a GPS in my watch, I've already got one in my car (and with a nice 7" display screen I can actually see), when I'm not in my car, I usually KNOW where I am. An extensible music player (micro SDHC) with stereo bluetooth support would be fantastic, and if I could get the local sports scores (or watch highlights) on my watch, I'm there.

[digitallysick @ Jul 18th 2009 12:53PM]

They have so many of these devices in china, cell watch, and bluetooth watch.

The bluetooth watch is nice, if you get a text, or call you can view on the watch screen. Great for when you are in meetings

[GL @ Jul 21st 2009 1:27AM]

Take a look at this LV rip-off

[G @ Jul 24th 2009 1:09AM]

Watch phones are extremely neat. I've bought a couple from http://www.3gwatches.com and I like them for the most part. I kept my regular smart phone and just bought a prepaid phone with a SIM card and activated it didn't put the SIM card in my watch phone. If you are you have a Sim card you can just interchange it with the watch phone. It comes in handy when you're using your hands a lot when traveling.