At this year's Mobile World Congress, LG will unveil the LG Optimus 3D, the world's first 3D smartphone. In addition, the company plans to launch a swipe payment system for product and service retailers next year, which would allow consumers to make payments at the check-out using their smartphones. LG did not provide much details about the upcoming LG Optimus 3D. The company just said that the new smartphone "addresses the lack of 3D content issue -- one of the biggest problems facing the 3D market -- with a complete platform for a one-of-a-kind experience on a mobile device."

The phone will also feature a dual-lens camera for 3D recording, a glasses-free LCD panel for 3D viewing and connectivity options such as HDMI and DLNA for 3D content sharing .

Further details and a live demo of the LG Optimus 3D will be offered at MWC in Barcelona from February 14 to 17.

In related news, LG plans to launch a swipe payment system for product and service retailers in Europe next year, which would allow consumers to make payments at the check-out using their smartphones.

The technology will be targeted at small and medium-sized businesses and will involve NFC or near field communications and cloud computing, according to LG. It is expected to be lauched in in Europe in 2012.

Near-field communication chips are being integrated in new generations of smartphones and tablet computers. Such features are also supported by Google's Android upcoming OS.