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Short Text Messages In Mid-Air

Posted by timothy on from the clever-finns dept.

bahree writes "The BBC is running an interesting story on how Nokia is making a mobile that lets you write short text messages in mid-air. The messages are written using a row of LEDs fitted on the rear cover of Nokia's forthcoming 3220 phone. A motion sensor in the phone makes the lights blink in a sequence that spells out letters when the handset is waved in the air."

17 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. You know what comes next. by sulli · · Score: 5, Funny
    Airborne ascii art.

    Be afraid. Be very afraid.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  2. Pretty useful by Olaserov · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wonder if it has any pre-programmed messages already? A particularly useful one might be "HELP: HAVING A SIEZURE!"

    --
    * Olaserov is in the process of thinking up a signature.
  3. reverse mode by eegad · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope it comes with reverse mode so I can wave messages to the car in front of me. think: "Green is for go"

  4. Freebird by The_Rippa · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nokia said the 3220's air messaging system could be used by friends to talk to each other across crowded rooms or open-air concerts.

    Great, all the artists need are 10,000 people waving "Freebird" in the air

  5. What need does this serve? by ethanrider · · Score: 4, Funny

    When someone developed the flamethrower it was because of the idea "You know, I'd really like to set that person over there on fire"

    I wonder what the analogous thought process was for this product if there was one...

    --
    ACMD eht detaloiv evah uoy ,erutangis siht no noitpyrcne eht gnikaerb yB
  6. Short Text Message by ackthpt · · Score: 5, Funny
    "Can't Afford Monthly Payments on Cell Phone - Please Help"

    You notice a cup with a few coins in it at their feet.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  7. Re:I had that toy... by arudloff · · Score: 5, Funny

    They still sell something extremely similar at Disney World. Incrediably cool at first, for about 3 minutes, then you realize how retarded you look waving a plastic stick with mouse ears on. :(

  8. What a gimmick by AlphaPB · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the article:

    Nokia said the 3220's air messaging system could be used by friends to talk to each other across crowded rooms or open-air concerts.

    So instead of picking up the phone and calling the other person, you're supposed to type in a 15-letter text message and wave your phone around in the air?! I can see how this can be fun... for 5 minutes.

    1. Re:What a gimmick by Johnathon_Dough · · Score: 4, Funny
      Yes, according to nokia at least

      My friends and I though, have this other method we have been using, I am actually thinking of patenting it:
      We walk across the room and (this is the neat part) hold a conversation using (get this...) only our voices.

      Revolutionary for the times I admit, but just watch, give it a few years, everyone will be doing it, if only so as to not have to try and pick the message directed to them from the sea of waving arms and blinking lights at the concert.

      --
      If you are one in a million, then there are six thousand people who are just like you.
  9. How does it know? by DanielMarkham · · Score: 4, Funny

    Whether you are waving your arm in a straght line? Seems like when you wave your arm it makes more of an arc than a line. I wonder if the phone compensates.

    And you wouldn't want to send a long message on a subway -- you'd end up whacking the people around you trying to work it out. Back up, buddy! I've got a phone here!

  10. Re:Prepare for some UGLY ascii art by somethinghollow · · Score: 5, Funny

    I deleted ./trolls right after I installed Red Hat on my PC. It's really a useless directory that clutters up the file system. It's always spamming dumb things like "first post" to my terminal. It's quite annoying. It kept coming back, so I got a Mac instead.

  11. when was it decided by bizpile · · Score: 4, Funny

    I want to know when it was decided that all the most annoying technology would be crammed into one device and then given to basically any idiot. I sure didnt vote on that.

  12. 15 characters by thatguywhoiam · · Score: 5, Funny

    NOONECARESNOKIA

    --
    If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
  13. Re:Innovation? by Vihai · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you let it fall by accident... will it write "OUCH!" while falling?

  14. Re:Innovation? by coopaq · · Score: 5, Funny

    Only if I can get the Hello Kitty version!

  15. Re:Innovation? by fiannaFailMan · · Score: 5, Funny
    but now we are going to get people gesticulating madly, waving their arms back and forth to send messages.
    You'd better not go to Italy then!
    --
    Drill baby drill - on Mars
  16. I want one of this for my car! by Phybersyk0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you could make it print the characters in reverse it'd be awesome!

    My first messages would be:

    "Put Down The Phone And Drive"
    "Eat when you get home!"
    "I think you've eaten enough already"
    "Watch TV when you get home."
    "Nice stereo. Turn it down."
    "POLICE"
    "OMG WTF LOL"