Napkin PC

You have seen desktop, you have seen laptop and palmtop and tablet PC and many more. You have seen napkin too. Now its napkin PC time. This touch interface concept allows multiple users to collaborate on brainstorming projects, make notes or play noughts and crosses or, as it will henceforth be known, Futuristic Noughts and iCrosses. It uses “E-paper” which doesn’t require power to retain an image. Microsoft is behind it and t3.com let us know about it.

Google Streetview

Hot Technology: 3D Mapping

Google Streetview is like Google Maps, but with photo-realistic, 3D representations of the streets, so you can scroll around and up and down to have a look around, just like you were actually in the road. Currently only a few locations outside the US are covered, but expect the UK to get mapped next year and who knows when the other countries will be called for. But one thing is for sure, it will literally bring the world at your doorstep.

Sony Xperia

Sony's Xperia X1a created a rather lengthy story line last year in anticipation of its release. While they are now available at local Sony Stores and other outlets, Dieter was fortunate enough to capture one while attending MacWorld in San Francisco. I was able to get Dieter to look the other way and took off with it. I only had the weekend with the Xperia X1a before the alarms sounded and a massive manhunt began. Luckily, I had it long enough to take it on a test run to see if all the excitement surrounding the Xperia had any merit. As the saying goes, "Read on after the break" to see what type impression the Xperia made.





Pros

* Panels
* Very good build quality
* Exceptional Screen
* 3G, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth

Cons

* Restricted Keyboard
* Terrible on-screen keyboard
* Price

Oxyn

A collaborative venture between Synaptics and Pilotfish, the Onyx concept mobile phone eliminates the need for conventional buttons completely through utilisation of optical transparent capacitive technologies.

And, whilst we have already previously featured phones that are complete touch screens, the benefit of this technology is that the phone will not only be able to recognise the points and taps decipherable by standard touch screens, but also complete series of complex gestures and even shapes.

For example, to close an application the user need merely define the shape of an “X” across the phone’s surface and the application will close - and that’s just touching the surface (excuse the pun) of this phones extended, interactive capabilities.

onyx detail



Much like the previously featured Blackbox phone concept, Onyx phone consists of a complete interactive display across the phone’s facing surface that adapts to whichever application is currently being used. But unlike the Blackbox, which relies on standard touchscreen technology, the technology behind the Onyx consists of a simple 0.05mm thick sensor that can incorporate curved surfaces (touchscreens are limited to flat surfaces) which allows for a far greater scope of design possibilities.

The use of gestures is also something that cannot be facilitated using standard touchscreens, which means that to send a message with the Onyx could be as simple as swiping the message off the screen, or that sending a kiss to someone could be achieved simply by placing the phone against your cheek (the phone’s shape and surface recognition sensors would do the rest).



Onyx Mobile Phone Concept Large

Of course, on a more practical level, this could also mean that answering a call could be achieved merely by placing the phone to your ear (though those with faltering co-ordination may inadvertently send a kiss at the same time, which is great if it’s your partner calling but not so great if it happens to be your boss on the other end).

NOKIA AEON

Everyone's getting all touchy-feely these days, Nokia's very own Aeon ever make it into the mass consumer market. The Aeon will feature a full touchscreen surface that does away with the standard keypad, giving you an extremely sleek and sexy look that is guaranteed to turn heads each time you answer a call. One thing's for sure though - unless Nokia knows how to perfect a material that does not attract fingerprints like ants to sugar, you'll probably spend half your time wiping the Aeon.


Features !!

ENERAL
Network HSDPA / GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Announced


DISPLAY
Type TFT

RINGTONES
Type Polyphonic (64 channels), Monophonic, True Tones, MP3
Vibration False

MEMORY
Phonebook Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
Call Records Detailed, max 30 days
Card Slot Yes

FEATURES
GPRS Class 32, 107 / 64.2 kbps
Messaging SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Clock Yes
Alarm Yes
Infrared Port True
Games Downloadable
Colours Black
Camera 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, video(VGA 30fps), flash; secondary CIF videocall camera
Other Features Bluetooth: V2.0
JAVA: MIDP 2.0
MP3 Player/Support
EDGE
WAP: 2.0/xHTML, HTML
T9 Dictionary
Organiser
USB port

BATTERY
Type: Li-Ion 1200mAH (BL-6F)