Yesterday I was lucky enough to receive a review sample of the LG GD910 Watch Phone from Orange.

LG Watchphone - Do I look like Dick Tracy or just a dick?

Lucky? Stop snickering. I honestly think I’m lucky, alright? Yes, the GD910 is a gimmick. But it’s a good gimmick – a gadget in its purest form: something I want but really don’t need.

But it’s not just the miniaturisation that appeals – in fact, I’ve always been cynical about watchphones (and I’ve seen a few of them). But the GD910 works beautifully – as a watch, as well as a phone. Yes, it’s chunky; but only G-Shock chunky. And with the Tokyo Flash-style theme (pictured), it could pass an an oversized fashion watch.

Until it starts ringing. Amazingly, it works as a phone, too – I’ve made a call out on the streets, without using the included (fugly) Bluetooth headset. So, just my wrist within 30cm of my mouth. The speaker is clear but not too loud, and – according to my gadget weary partner on the end of the line – microphone picks out my voice very clearly too.

Unlike previous watch phones (and gadget watches in general) the GD910 is fun to use, too, thanks to an iPhone-style capacitive touchscreen and nippy software that allows you to easily swipe between phone and watch features. You can sync calendar and address book using the PC software, too, but the iSync plugins for Mac didn’t work. No bother – I just bluetoothed my address book as a bunch of vcards. I can do without the calendar.

I haven’t tested out the videocalling, because I don’t know anyone who uses videocalling, but if ever there was a proper platform for 3G’s most pointless feature… well, the GD910 watchphone is it. I keep expecting Blake to call.

I wouldn’t want to use the GD910 as my main phone – it’s a bit fiddly to text on (but by no means impossible), it has no web access (not that you’d want it on the tiny screen) and, crucially, it has a meagre 1 hour talk time. But as a gimmick it rocks, and there will be times when I’ll set my iPhone to divert to watch just for the sheer gadgety joy of it all.

And is the GD910 worth the £500 that Orange is asking for it? Well… that kinda depends on whether you value your money…

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