3-D gadgets a hit at wireless show in Orlando

Stunning 3-D screens on cell phones seem to be just the beginning of a new era for cell phones and wireless on the go.

This week's cellular industry association convention in Orlando was smaller than in years past, and smaller than the whopper Mobile Congress in Barcelona just last month.

But packed into Orlando were a string of nifty hints at what's coming in cellular.

3-D Cellular

Crowds at CTIA stopped in their tracks at the sight of new cell phones and tablets that present 3-D images with no glasses required. Called "autostereoscopic" the technology uses a kind of polarized screen, similar to old postcards that shift images as you tilt them. But the system works with images, games and videos, and there are dual cameras on the back of many new devices to take your own 3-D videos. Sprint just announced one made by HTC called the EVO 3-D available this summer, and the electronics giant LG unveiled one under various names, including the "Oprimus 3-D," and the "Thrill," depending on the carrier. Prices aren't yet announced.

Syniverse SMS video

Tampa's own cellular giant Syniverse presented a new way to send live video from almost any kind of phone to any other phone, on any carrier - similar to how the company relays billions of text messages each month around the globe. The system would rival services like Skype or Apple's Facetime, but work on any carrier and even simpler cell phones. Syniverse is now talking with carriers and phone makers about placing the app on phones.

Tablets

Samsung, LG and Motorola put several of their tablets on display after months of hints and expectation, and after letting Apple gain a huge lead with its iPad. But the non-Apples are catching up fast, mainly using Google's Android operating system. The LG "G-Slate" in particular offers 3-D cameras on the back, and will sell for $599 after a $100 rebate, and a 2-year contract on T-Mobile. Prices, models and availability vary widely, so check with each maker.

Jitterbug

At the opposite end of the spectrum is a new generation of super-simple, big-button Jitterbug cell phones for the older user. The advancement this time is a live, 24-hour-a day health service called 5Star. The company will keep a range of medial data about grandma or grandpa, and if they dial (5) and the (*) button, the phone calls emergency staff who can locate the caller with GPS, connect them with family members, and conference in 911 dispatchers. The service costs $14.99, in addition to monthly plans that range from $14.99 to $79.99 per month.

Data Diet

Nearly every new cell phone carrier has switched from an all-you-can-eat plan to a pay-as-you-go model that charges on a per-gigabyte basis. Suddenly, every bit of data download counts. So, try a diet browser. The Opera browser has been on the market for years, but this spring launched Opera Mini for phones and tablets. When users call up a Web site, the Opera servers compress and display that site as normal on the cell phone or tablet, but with 90 percent less data load. The browser is free to download and use, so the company makes money through wholesale relationships with cellular carriers or advertisers.

Driving Apps

For parents of teens, one of the breakout startups on display was Speedbump. While there are lots of gadgets that can track a teen driver, this one lives on a teen's phone as an app. The software identifies what road they're driving on - freeway, secondary road or neighborhood street, and only sends a warning report to parents if there's a violation of speeding, distracted driving (like texting) or curfew rules parents set up online. If everything's fine, the app never reports the teen's location. "We hope this encourages a dialogue between parents and teens," said Jon Fischer, who invented the service as a teen during a science fair. Cost: $9.99 per month, available on Android phones, and soon iPhones.