Nokia Unveils Shape Changing Nano-phone Concept

An anonymous reader writes "Morph, a joint nanotechnology concept developed by Nokia Research Center and the University of Cambridge, has gone on display as part of the "Design and the Elastic Mind" exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. The concept demonstrates how future mobile devices might be stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform the gadget into radically different shapes. Nokia said that elements of Morph might be integrated into handheld devices within seven years, though initially only at the high end."

Comments

Ugh

[Brian Gordon]

What's with this constant focus on e-toys? This is news for nerds, stuff that matters, not what $800 gadget will make you look like a networked, tech-minded businessman.

Re:Ugh

[PrescriptionWarning]

You mean like those blue-tooth headsets people insist on wearing all the time even when they're not talking on them? Ugggggh

Re:Ugh

[merreborn]

You mean like those blue-tooth headsets people insist on wearing all the time even when they're not talking on them? Ugggggh

It's not hands free if you have to dig into your pocket, find the thing, and shove it in your ear.

If you have a reasonable expectation that you'll receive a call, say, during your drive home, then the safest thing you can do is leave the thing on, even if it makes you look like an extra from a bad sci fi movie.

Now, if you're in a theater, your phone is off, and you're still wearing the earpiece, then yeah, you're a tool.

Re:Ugh

[antifoidulus]

If you have a reasonable expectation that you'll receive a call, say, during your drive home, then the safest thing you can do is leave the thing on, even if it makes you look like an extra from a bad sci fi movie.

No, the safest thing is to let it go to voicemail

Re:Ugh

[Your.Master]

Makes perfect sense. You leave it on at those times when you feel you might take calls, and take it off when you have no intention of doing so. I don't keep a phone in my bedroom precisely because if it rings while I'm sleeping, I don't give a shit. Same as when I'm showering.

When driving it's best not to talk on the phone at all, but failing that, far better they keep it in their ear than fumble around with a phone.

Re:Ugh

[amRadioHed]

No, the safest thing is to sell your car.

Re:Ugh

[Oktober Sunset]

especially when its a really steep banking on the seats so my foot is almost level with his head when I'm sat behind him.

Re:Ugh

[Simon Brooke]

Wow, for a moment there I thought this was a geek site.

Nonononononononono...

This was a geek site. Like, ten years ago, maybe eight, even.

Now it's a site for wannabes, soi disant k3wl kidz and Microsoft astroturfers.

(Yes, I am getting old. So are you. So what?)

How about this?

[Anonymous Coward]

They spend that money on a cell phone where I can actually *hear* the person clearly on the other end?

Is it a functioning "concept"

[Webcommando]

Wasn't clear in the (brief) write-up whether this is a functioning concept.

Cool design is...well cool.. but if this included flexible circuits, displays, etc. to make it function (even if fragile or only in the most basic way) I'd be very interested in reading more on the underlying tech.

There's a long way between design concept and all the technical risks being retired.

Airport security headache

[Sciros]

Soon you'll have to demonstrate that your phone can't be molded into a knife or shuriken before you're allowed through. Nor a nunchaku or brass knuckles, knowing airport security...

Re:Airport security headache

[WilyCoder]

And you'll have to prove that the putty-like device with circuitry is not a bomb. Should be fun to travel when this thing comes out.