Nokia GEM – Touchscreen All Over
The Nokia GEM is the latest gift from the Nokia Research Center, the concept behind the phone is that it’s totally customisable with touch screens on every surface of the phone. Essentially, the phone is one big touchscreen device. The shape of the phone is more reminiscent of the old school Nokia phones, rather than the iPhone/HTCesque phones of late. Though clearly some time away , it does indicate the exciting possibilities to come!
This isn’t Nokia’s first innovative/crazy phone idea. It also showcased the Nokia Kinetic bendy concept phone at Nokia World 2011.
iPad 2 3D Display
As we recently reported, the new iPad 2 has been mounted with a front facing camera. Apart from allowing individuals to video chat with ease, Apple also gave developers access to the camera in the hope that they create new and exciting apps and games.
With such access a team of researchers at the Grenoble Informatics Laboratory in France have recently developed a 3-D style interface for the iPad 2. The researchers use the camera to track the user’s gaze, allowing the iPad to change the image on the tablet’s display to shift its perspective. They call this a “spatially-aware mobile display.”
HTC Flyer
HTC has just revealed the HTC Flyer which is rumored to go on sale as early as April. There have been reports that the tablet will cost in the regions of £600, but this is just speculation as no official announcement has been made. What’s more, it’s not uncommon for prices to change pre-launch.
So with the iPad 2 already out in the USA, and soon to be out in the UK, how does the HTC Flyer compare? Can it compete with the current king of tablets?
The HTC Flyer has a 7-inch Super LCD touch screen, one which is stylus enabled. The tablet will also have digital ink technology which will allow you to take notes and draw straight onto the tablet, a very innovative feature which distinguishes it from competitors. The HTC Flyer also has the advantage of supporting flash and allowing more user customization by running Google’s Android operating system. It will also have a standard USB port.
HTC Flyer Spec
- CUP Speed – 1.5 GHz
- Memory
- 32GB internal storage (can be expanded via the microSD slot)
- 1GB Ram.
- USB – the HTC Flyer will feature a USB, something which is lacking in the Apple iPad.
- Camera
- 5 megapixal rear camera with auto focus
- 1.3 megapixel front camera
Video
Check out this short teaser video for a more interactive look.
New spin on the mobile phone – how simple is too simple?
This phone was designed by the Dutch creative agency John Doe in Amsterdam. It is therefore aptly named John’s Phone, and it is touted as the world’s simplest phone. There are no frills, the only feature available is calling, no text, no camera and no choice of ringtones! The idea behind it is that the use of the phone would be simple and intuitive, requiring no explanation whatsoever.
The phone is available in 5 different colours, and it comes unlocked thereby allowing any sim-card to be accepted. The phone is priced at €79.99, and has a standby battery life of over 3 weeks.
The phone seems to be targeted at senior citizens, children and people who just can’t handle the technology overload and complexity of many phones today. I for one would never be able to use such a phone, what with my iPhone 4 permanently glued to my palm. Although, I’m interested to know whether other people would actually find such a phone useful, would you?
The iPad Pillow
The iPad pillow was created by the Dutch designer Stein Bakker in an attempt to make tablets more ergonomically friendly. Though tablets allow us the freedom to work and play on the go, offering the ultimate in portability, they are often difficult to use for long periods of time. Therefore the iPad pillow seeks to solve this problem by allowing you to view your iPad in various different angles without having to hold onto it continuously. The pillow also has a slot to place your iPad into, allowing for the upright placement of the device – perfect for presentations or movie watching. The iPad pillow costs around £30.
Kara – Wireless Charging Desk
The new Kara desk not only looks and functions great, fulfilling all the requirements one would expect from an office desk such as this, but it also has a 21st century twist which is truly innovative. The desk helps eliminate the growing amount of clutter created by the ever increasing number of electronics we use in our work place. It does this by fitting a wireless transmitter within, allowing you to charge your mobile phone by simply placing it on the desk, no wires and no hassle. The unit is priced at $1,946 according to inc.com, and in all honesty the price is very reasonable. The desk is available in a variety of 7 finishes, and so finding the right look won’t be too difficult in most cases.
If you are looking for something comparable, but without having to shell out circa $2000, you might want to consider a powermat or the similar myGrid by Duracell. Prices vary, but expect to pay roughly around £40-50.
Miikii Group
Miikii Group specialises in the development of innovative mobile solutions for business.
Miikii Group has developed a versatile self-manage software platform that enables rapid deployment of mobile applications using internet, SMS, MMS, WAP and Bluetooth technologies. The in-built versatility means that the platform can be rapidly adapted to the needs of virtually any industry sector.
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Steely Eye Digital Media
Steely Eye Digital Media is an independent, full service provider taking on all parts of the mobile software development process from identifying and quantifying the mobile opportunity considered, through to design and feasibility, development, testing, porting, release and maintenance.
Steely Eye Digital Media offers application development services for iPhone, Android, Symbian OS, Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Java J2ME, as well as mobile web applications, widgets and SMS services. We also understand web and server technologies ensuring that your mobile solution is completely integrated.
More can be found at www.steelyeye.com
Vodafone Head Office – Portugal
Vodafone was launched on 1 January 1984, it started life as a tiny UK startup but after a series of mergers and acquisitions it has grown to one of the largest telecommunication giants in Europe. The company’s head office in Portugal definitely stands testament to the company’s solid presence in the market, exuding grandeur, confidence and style. The offices where built in Porto, Portugal’s second largest city.
The building was designed by Barbosa e Guimaraes Arquitectos, the well known Portuguese architects. They wished to reflect the company’s motto “Vodafone Life, Life in Motion”, and they felt that the best way to stay true to such beliefs was to create a building that appears to be out of balance and challenges the traditional motionless character of a building. The use of industrial materials is not limited to the outside, but also extends to the interior of the building.
Nokia Unik Customisable Phone
Targeting the global market, French designer Clement Logereau has designed a unique mobile handset that lets users modify its back made of 152 customizable small squares. Entitled the “UNIK,” the Nokia concept becomes a fashion accessory for trendy users, as they can get additional squares in different colors and materials, including metal, transparent and rubber, from Nokia shops. The artistic cellphone lets users play with their imagination as they can match the texture with their mood or personality.
[ Article Source: Design Blog ]