Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Incredible Shrinking Antenna

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the two-inches-is-plenty dept.

pinkUZI writes "NYTimes ran an article yesterday about a new material, created by a general manager at Integral Technologies, that would enable use of the plastic mold of a cell phone as its Antenna. Pretty neat, as it actually increases the size of the antenna while decreasing the footprint."

13 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Shrinkage = Bad by Duckz · · Score: 2, Funny

    Great, now my phone is gonna be so tiny I can put it on my keychain!

    1. Re:Shrinkage = Bad by Brento · · Score: 4, Funny

      Great, now my phone is gonna be so tiny I can put it on my keychain!

      What's so bad about that? And come to think of it, a keychain might make a decent antenna if you could wrap the wire right...

      --
      What's your damage, Heather?
    2. Re:Shrinkage = Bad by vicviper · · Score: 2, Funny

      Kind of like the people who think that they can/can't hear with glassess on/off? Tell me, when you talk to someone in person, do you put their ear in your mouth? :)

      Seriously, it's understandable why the asthetics of a phone (or any such device) would lead to use that was not intended by the designer. As long as there is a demand for phones that have mics close to the mouth, someone will make 'em.

  2. How to make your own incredible shrinking antenna by cscx · · Score: 1, Funny

    1) Place said cell phone into a cold swimming pool.

    2) Watch and learn.

  3. Or... by NiftyNews · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or you can just plug yourself into a high-yield electrical outlet and become the antenna!

    --
    ------
    Today's Top Deals
  4. Shocking! by FurryFeet · · Score: 1, Funny

    Gotta love those dry days, when you're walking on a thick carpet and your phone rings.
    Hope you don't keep it in your pants pocket.

  5. Re:Capacitance? by AlexDeGruven · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't see why it wouldn't. Your antenna on your car isn't affected a large amount if you grab it. And, who knows, if you have a metal plate in your head, it may increase your signal by several orders of magnitude. I can see it now, no roaming, even from China

    --
    Randal Graves says: I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class... Especially since I rule.
  6. Score one for the pointy-haired bosses! by duffbeer703 · · Score: 3, Funny

    This may be the first time that a General Manager has accomplished anything!

    --
    Conformity is the jailer of freedom and enemy of growth. -JFK
  7. But I thought... by Bob+McCown · · Score: 2, Funny
    it actually increases the size of the antenna while decreasing the footprint

    I thought that your antenna size was related to the size of your feet?

  8. Re:"a very effective radiator" by onion2k · · Score: 3, Funny

    Then you had better stay away from table lamps - they're far more effective at spewing radiation than your cellphone

    The last time I held a table lamp to my head Iwas told to see a doctor.. as for the time I held one to my balls.. well..

    --
    http://twitter.com/onion2k
  9. Tumor as an antenna tuner by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Like it or not, your head is part of the antenna. As the microwaves bounce around up there, the tumors would form in areas where the radiation was highest. Once the tumors got to sufficant size, they would resonate, giving you a better signal.

    So, if you all the sudden find that your cell phone is working really good, even in remote places....

  10. three words: aluminum foil hat by GCP · · Score: 3, Funny

    Matching foil underwear might be nice, too. For the man who has everything....

    --
    "Those who have never entered upon scientific pursuits know not a tithe of the poetry by which they are surrounded."
  11. created by a general manager? by cinder_bdt · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is completely foreign to my experience! A general manager creating something other than a spreadsheet or a headache?

    I'm inclined to believe a person was promoted to general manager for technical chops they earned in the past, or maybe even because of this wonderful invention. But was this person a general manager *when they created* this device? Not likely! I want to work at that company.