I have a nice smartphone. I have an LG Optimus 3d. I abuse it on a daily basis. Almost never put the thing down. And yes, the Zenonia series is quite good, particularly the newest installment, but it still doesn't compare to a game like Super mario or Mario kart. 

Games like Angry Birds are definitely a decent time killer for what they are, but I want a device with proper controls for serious gaming. Touch screen alone only takes you so far.

Oh? I had heard of Connectify before, but I thought it also made an ad-hoc connection. If it makes true wi-fi then that solves a lot of problems.

Okay, i definetly agree with u on this one, (have an LG optimus Speed 2X, didnt get a newer one because i only pay 20€ a monthfor this one, Message/Web/Phone flat included.. its so awesome.), buttons are always > touchscreen, but the thing is Control's could be built for touch control, it would work quite okay, they only need to stop emulating Buttons. (But even if so, yeah, buttons are still superior.) .. the thing is just the lack of software - again - if you arent that much into first party games. if you are of fan of them, i think you'll shed tears of joy over MK Online. But thats about it, and i think its not enough for a quite large group of people.

Wrong, PSN and gamertags accounts dont work like that at all. You can have multiple accounts on one system and you can use one account across different systems(in PSN case). 3DS system sounds more like the Wii one

If this one doesn't work I can try find the name of another program I've used before to share a connection with a Mac and an iPod Touch.

I guess the 3DS has ad hoc. I've been able to connect it with any kind of network so far.

There are rumors of a 3DS Lite, but I don't think it's going to release anytime soon. Probably, late this year or next year.

The friend code system is much better than the Wii and DS. Only enter in the friend code once and every title you and your friend have that supports online play will work just fine.

The battery life lasts between 3-5 hours with the highest settings. There is a power saving mode on the system and of course you can decrease the brightness. The battery life extends to 5-8 if you playing DS games on it.

There are plently of RPGs out for it and more coming up:Shin Megami Tensei and Tales of the Abyss. There is an RPG type game bulit into 3DS called Find Mii. It's quite fun.
Upcoming ones are Paper Mario, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Heroes of Ruin(dungeon crawler, not sure if it lies in the RPG category), Fire Emblem(annocunced for a Europe release, but expect a American release as well), Rune Factory 4 might come to states soon.

Overall, you won't be disappointed by the 3DS. If you still like DS games, then you can enjoy them on the system as well. The eShop is also a great place for games too. For Virtual Console(Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES(just starting), and soon Game Gear(coming in March, at least in Europe), DSiWare titles, and eShop favorites such as Sakura Samurai, Pushmo, Mutant Mudds, etc. You might have seen an ad about it somewhere on the internet.

It's in 3D..

This may seem off-rail but the 3D is inwards instead of outwards, it's still really well done though.

True and in that sense it is similar. But your account is still tied to that one system. Thats not the case for PSN or LIVE. I hope Wii U does not have this and that Ninty can find a way to update the firmware for 3DS to have it more close to the other models but im not holding my breath

Not only is it off-rail, it's also incorrect.

The 3D works both ways depending on the situation.