Shortly after the Nexus One was released there was a small controversy regarding a cracked screen. HTC allegedly responded by suggesting that mobile phones don’t belong in your pockets. I can’t say that I am entirely clear on exactly where HTC thinks we should be keeping our phones – perhaps some sort of custom built flight case on a chain around our necks?
Researchers from Queen’s University in Ontario Canada, however, have been experimenting with a new type of phone that we could perhaps keep in our wallets. Or even our back pockets – with no need to worry about sitting on them.
Enter the “Paper Phone”.
The idea of a bendy phone seems like quite an impressive, if slightly odd one. What is particularly intriguing about this prototype device is that the user actually bends it in order to trigger various actions such as making a phone call or turning the page in a ebook.
The Paper Phone uses a ductile E-Ink display as well as flexible sensors to determine whether the user is bending the device and what shape he or she is trying to create. Check out the following video for a closer look:
In a further twist on the idea, another device, called the “Snaplet” has been developed which is designed to be worn on the user’s wrist:
While I find the idea of building flexible devices fascinating, I have to say that I remain completely unconvinced about using one as a day-to-day phone device. Certainly the idea of having to bend the device in order to trigger actions seems very counter intuitive to me. I think it would make the device extremely uncomfortable to use indeed. While the first video doesn’t demonstrate whether or not the Paper Phone also has touch screen capability, it is at least clear that the Snaplet does -although I cannot pretend to be thrilled with the idea of wearing one on my wrist!
