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

Damage Resistant?

[AbsoluteXyro]

I don't really know how many people are going to want to play with their gadgets as though they were silly putty, but this strikes me as something that would greatly enhance a device's resistance to wear, tear, drops, and falls. I could see this having applications in particularly rough environments, if nothing else.

Re:Damage Resistant?

[blindd0t]

I don't really know how many people are going to want to play with their gadgets as though they were silly putty

Well, if they bend, stretch, and vibrate, I'd say a pretty good number of people will play with their gadgets (though not quite like silly putty). What really matters at that point is whether or not it's water proof. =P

On a more serious note though, I can really appreciate the additional durability one would expect with this, as parent mentioned. I've actually broken a few phones just from leaving the phone on my pocket and rolling over the wrong way while working on my car. Though I've learned to take my phone out of my pocket before I start work like that, it'll be nice if that's one less worry. On that note, it'd also be nice if it was water proof (and possibly heat resistant) as well in case it gets left in the pant pockets and run through the washer and dryer.

Re:Ugh

[mapkinase]

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

That does not make any sense unless you shower, sleep, etc. with that blue bug stuffed into your ear.

Some people ware it even in the mosque, some people put it right before turning their ignition on and take it off right after turning the ignition off, or more generally, right before they need their hands to be constantly busy with something else.