Earlier quoted context omitted.
Need? I didn't need a smartphone when I bought one, but it changed my lifestyle such that it is now irreplaceable. How do they do it? I really don't know but this article on electrochemical biosensor arrays for "electronic tongue" is interesting: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijelc/2012/986025/
A smartphone is a telephone, maps, address book, games, music player, ebook reader, web browser, GPS, microphone, pedometer, barometer, and more. This thing is a cup.
Well this thing is a cup, spectroscopic device, hydration tracker,and daily caloric planner, that integrates with your smartphone through bluetooth, while charging wirelessly.