What's the point of curved smartphones?

Electronics giant LG has launched its first curved smartphone called the G-Flex. Despite its name the G-Flex does not bend, but has a display which is curved from top to bottom.

            LG says the curve helps the phone follow the shape of your face, putting the microphone closer to your mouth.

Why would anybody want a curved smartphone? "Curved smartphones are a bit of a gimmick at the moment," said Newsbeat technology reporter Jonathan Blake.

            He told Newsround: "They could be more comfortable to hold and companies claim the curved screen makes watching video more impressive. But apart from that the phones are very similar to other smartphones."

            Tech rival Samsung revealed its own curved smartphone on 9 October. It wakes up from sleep mode when you rock it forwards.

            But both smartphones are only going on sale in South Korea for the time being.

            Jonathan said: "Technology companies need to keep up interest in their products and curved smartphones attract a lot of attention. But the fact they're only available in one country at the moment suggests the companies making them are not convinced they will take off."

Match the words below to their definitions

convince / despite / gimmick / impressive / rival / similar

describes something that is admired because of its qualities

certain that something is true

almost the same, but not exactly

without being influenced by something

something that is used to attract people's attention, even though it has no real value

person or thing that competes with something else

True or false?

1.                   Technology companies rarely talk about their products.

2.                   The G-Flex can be bent into shape.

3.                   Curved smartphones may have several advantages.

4.                   LG is certain the curved smartphone will be successful.

5.                   The phones are only available in one country.

6.                   Whether the curved smartphones will succeed is an open question.

7.                   Samsung's curved smartphone cannot detect motion.

8.                   LG was not the first to launch a curved smartphone.

What is the missing word?

1. Tech rival Samsung ________________________ its own curved smartphone.

2. Technology companies need to keep up ________________________ in their products.

3. They could be more ________________________ to hold.

4. Curved smartphones attract a lot of ________________________.

KEY

convinced certain that something is true

despite without being influenced by something

gimmick something that is used to attract people's attention, even though it has no real value

impressive describes something that is admired because of its qualities

rival person or thing that competes with something else

similar almost the same, but not exactly

True or false?

1. False

2. False

3. True

4. False

5. True

6. True

7. False

8. True

What is the missing word?

1. revealed

2. interest

3. comfortable

4. attention