Send in the iClones

Last week at CTIA 2008, the biggest tradeshow in the U.S. devoted to cell phones and other things wireless, key manufacturers Samsung, LG, and Sony Ericsson didn't even try to deny that the upcoming models they eagerly trotted before us bore a strong resemblance to the iPhone.

The newcomers unabashedly borrowed from Apple's hit multimedia smartphone in looks and ergonomic design. Like the iPhone, the Samsung Instinct, the Sony Ericsson X1 (click on the image at right for a closer look), and the LG Vu have a large, dark touch screen (about 3-in. measured diagonally) framed by a shiny metallic edge. Their interfaces, though distinct, all provide a quick way to jump in and out of their many functions, from phone calling and text messaging to media playback and Web browsing. And like the iPhone, if you select the wrong application icon, pushing a home key brings you right back to the main menu.

Pending our thorough tests of these pending pretenders, we can't say how well they stack up against their inspiration. But used briefly on the tradeshow floor, their performances seemed quite impressive, and some even add useful features the iPhone lacks.  Here are my first impressions:

The Samsung Instinct. Samsung's Instinct (click on image at left for a closer look), available later this year from Sprint for $300 with a 2-year contract, wisely adopts a few iPhone-like features that are both fun and practical. These include a virtual keyboard with vibration feedback; HTML support for glitch-free Web browsing; a visual voicemail application that lets you review your messages in any order you wish; and a Rolodex-like interface for perusing your photo collection and music with a swipe of your finger. It also has features current iPhones lack, such as GPS navigation and voice-activated access to key features such as call, text, picture messaging, traffic, movie, sports, news and search.

When combined with GPS navigation, the Instinct's Voice to Action search function can be a true step-saver—especially if you're in a car. For example, say the word "pizza" in search mode, and the Instinct will show you a list of local pizzerias. Tap any selection to place a call, or touch the virtual car icon in the upper right hand corner of the screen to get instant, turn-by-turn, GPS-assisted driving instructions.

The Instinct's customizable menu shortcuts are sensibly grouped according to function. For example, the Main icon provides one-touch access to messaging, voicemail, and GPS navigation, while the Fun icon takes you to music, photo, and game applications. One simple, but practical touch: In addition to a home key, the Instinct has a back key that lets you undo a wrong menu selection, sparing you from hassle of starting at the very beginning.

The Instinct lacks the iPhone's Wi-Fi abilities, but it does promises very quick connections via Sprint's relatively fast EV-DO data network. It's also the first Sprint phone that can take advantage of a recent network upgrade called Rev. A, which allows you to upload (send) documents much faster than before.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1. The X1 is the first model from Sony Ericsson's new, high-end Xperia line that emphasizes Web connectivity and multimedia applications. Like the Samsung, this slick slider has a large, customizable touch screen. But it does have at least one additional advantage: a real slide-out QWERTY keyboard (click on image at right for a closer look), which generally is easier to master than a virtual one. Navigating between applications during our on-floor demonstration was easy using the X-1's touch screen and optical joystick (a tinier version of the touch pads found on laptop computers).

Also notable is the X1's 3.2 megapixel camera with auto focus, which is a bit more sophisticated than the ones you see on most cell phones, including the iPhone. For example, touching the viewfinder allows you to focus on an object within the frame without changing the photo's composition—a feature typically found on expensive SLRs.

Sony Ericsson reps won't say who the carrier will be when the phone debuts later this year, but when you consider that this GSM-network phone also has Wi-Fi, GPS navigation, an HTML Web browser, and high-speed data-network support (HSDPA), it's a good bet that carrier will be AT&T. Price will be "upper tier," according to Sony Ericsson.

LG Vu. Unlike the two models above, LG's Vu (click on the image at left for a closer look) lacks the ability to handle Office-type applications. Yet its multimedia capabilities are considerable.

For starters, it'll be one of the first phones that works with AT&T's new Mobile TV service (live TV from the same MediaFlo network that powers Verizon Mobile TV service). With this extra-cost service that debuts in May, Vu users will be able to watch full-length television content and sporting events from such channels as CBS Mobile, Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile TV, FOX Mobile, MTV, NBC 2GO, NBC News2Go and Nickelodeon. The Vu will also be able download content directly from emusic.com via and stream XM-radio programming via AT&T's high-speed data network (HSDPA).

The Vu's touch screen also vibrates to simulate the feedback you get when pressing real buttons. Its 2-megapixel camera also has autofocus. Available in June for an undisclosed price.

—Mike Gikas