Once in a while a gadget comes along that seems to be so useful that you can't help it but ask yourself why hasn't someone thought of that sooner, the Sony Ericsson LiveView, that updates you on your Android phone status without having to unlock your handset for every minute task, being such a device.

Designed to work with Android 2.x phones this tiny gadget, that can be attached in a watch strap, on a keychain or clipped to a laptop, comes with a 1.3-inch OLED screen that can be used to read messages, control music playback, receive social networking updates and can even help you to find your phone.

"It is our ambition to be THE Communication Entertainment brand and this includes being the most open mobile phone brand on the market.

We believe in openness and offering consumers a wide range of applications to choose from.

We will continue to develop accessories to ensure we play a major and groundbreaking role in the market and design innovative and exciting accessories for all platforms, including Android," said Mikael Henriksson, Head of creation and offering planning at Sony Ericsson Extras.

All in all, I would have to say this is one of the most useful gadgets that I have seen coming in quite a while, since I often find myself having to get my smartphone out of the pocket and unlock it just to check the time or to see who sent me that last mail.

Sony Ericsson also states the LiveView is compatible with non-SE, Android based phones (although only the Samsung Galaxy S and HTC Desire are listed right now), so I am sure that many of you can't wait until the first “Sony Ericsson Experience Packs" featuring the LiveView will be available in Q4 of this year.