Which smartphone would you recommend to your parents?

Depending on your interest in technology, and if you're reading this then you're probably a pretty big fan, you probably get asked about recommendations a lot. You're probably accustomed to giving them, talking about them, and pointing out cool and unique handsets or tablets for people to use. Finding that right device, the phone that is absolutely perfect for someone else is kind of tricky, isn't it?

One of the trickiest things to do, I think.

Because what they tell you they want, or what they're looking for, may change the moment they see the phone you've picked out. Or, another phone they see while in the retail store. I had that situation happen to me several months back, actually. Last year, even.

I had told my mom about the iPhone, and told her about all the cool apps and the great camera, and yadda-yadda-yadda. She was excited to get her hands on it. We went into the store, I picked up a Lumia 900 (I typed 9000 there, the first time. That was my exciting moment for the day), and she had fun with the iPhone for all of about 15 seconds.

Why? Because she saw the HTC One X and immediately fell in love with it. I mean, it was just that fast. She saw it there, on the wall with its big display, and with some pre-loaded video running on it. She walked over to it, picked it up, and looked at me with eyes that said, "This is the one." So, that was the one. She's been happy with it ever since.

It's a funny thing, to try and recommend something to someone. But hey, you learn from what people want, say, need, or what they may be looking for. Eventually, you'll recommend the right device for the right person.

And there are a lot of devices to choose from out there, aren't there? And most of them are probably definitely worth using. Using them is fine, but it's the buying part that can really hold things up. After all, it's fun to just use a phone, but knowing you'll have to pay a certain amount, and probably sign a new, two-year contract, means you've really got to like it.

So, at this point in time, right between a few new launches and announcements, I'm very curious to know what you would recommend. But not to just anyone. No, I'm very curious what you would recommend to your parents, and why. Would it be the upcoming G2 from LG? Or what about the new Moto X from Motorola?  Let me know what you'd recommend and why!