The wristwatch strikes back!

The cell phone is like some kind of pocket-size Death Star, moving through the gadget universe and destroying all in its path. First, PDAs. Then cameras. Then media players, GPS devices and more. One of its forgotten casualties is the wristwatch. Don't look now, but wristwatches are poised for a comeback.

The reason? Wristwatches are now trying to beat cell phone at their own game: Convergence. 

People, especially young people, have found wristwatches redundant because their cell phones tell the time. But a new generation of wristwatches turns the tables and feature full cell phone functionality.

Cell phone wristwatches have been lurking at the fringe of mainstream computing for probably a decade or so. But, suddenly, they're appearing in higher numbers, better form factors and in more usable configurations. Plus, they're getting less dorky and more cool. 

LG unveiled recently its LG GD910 watch phone, which like the iPhone is all screen with virtual, on-screen buttons. The GD910 has a camera, so you can do real videoconferencing like Dick Tracy. It supports MP3 files and Bluetooth. 

Another new contender is the sWaP Mobile Phone Watch. It surfs the Web, plays music and video, takes pictures and more. Data is stored on a standard MicroSD card. 

But the most promising and, well, most awesome new cell phone wristwatch is the Phenom SpecialOps Cellphone Watch. The watch has a cell phone keypad on the strap, and, like the others above supports Bluetooth, MicroSD, MP3s and more. It even comes with a tiny, pull-out stylus for using the mini touch screen. 

Even more interesting is that the Phenom SpecialOps watch is just one of many cell phone wristwatches for sale by Phenom.  They've got sports cell phone wristwatches, business cell phone wristwatches and even watches made for girls and women -- and accessories and peripherals to go with them! (They've also got a cell phone wristwatch that defies description.) 

I think this could be a real trend. The prices are reasonable, and some people are growing tired of the old iPhone/BlackBerry smart phone choice. A cell phone wristwatch lets you basically just not carry a cell phone -- and still be able to make and receive calls, take pictures and entertain yourself on the subway.