CTIA: Samsung Showcases Second Life Apps

Mobile users can now take their online avatars with them everywhere, thanks to some new software for Samsung phones.

The mobile handset vendor has been demonstrating Second Life three-dimensional virtual world applications on its phones all week at the CTIA conference in Las Vegas.

Samsung pointed to unique features of its Second Life client, like a mixed blogging platform that allows users to post blogs simultaneously in the real world and the virtual world of Second Life. In addition, a mixed contact feature allows users to communicate with avatar friends using voice or SMS messaging. Samsung developed its mobile applications based on the open source client from Second Life's founding company, Linden Lab. But despite those roots, Samsung emphasized the Second Life client is still compatible with Windows Mobile devices.

American users will be able to access the mobile client before the end of the year, Samsung said Tuesday, in a statement.

Samsung also used the Vegas backdrop to showcase two other mobile apps it has developed. LifeDiary manages the user's photos and videos taken for the day, as well as all the day's calls, SMS messages, contacts, and appointments. LifeDiary is compatible with Symbian and Windows Mobile phones and works with a PC application and a Web site to synchronize mobile content. The mobile application also allows users to create a personal blog that can be managed using a cell phone.

Samsung was also showing off its Softboard application that allows users to create games, photo albums, greeting cards, and interactive messages on a PC and then send them to mobile users they know.