Motorola confirms they are working with Google on a new phone

You've probably seen it or heard about it. You've probably even hopped to have one. You've maybe prayed the rumors were true. Well people, it seems they were. Motorola confirmed that they are working with Google on a new phone to be sold directly to consumers.

No one knows yet it the phone is question is the one that the concept pictures showed, but it is certain that the new phone will have the Android operating system and since Motorola and Google are working together on this one, the nickname of Nexus Two that has been given to the not yet released handset (also known as Motorola Shadow), is very appropriate. This phone might even be a crossover between a Nexus and the very popular Motorola Droid.

We'll just have to wait and see what will they finally come out with and until then we might even try to soften or completely obliterate the Apple iPad hype that's been going around lately. Although I doubt that's even possible.

You can read more about the new Motorola Shadow (or Nexus Two) smartphone on electronista.com or on gizmodo.com.

Natural user interface concept demos from Microsoft research

It seems to be a tendency these days for technology to go ahead of itself, releasing new and fascinating ideas continually. Natural user interfaces is one of the hottest topics these days. If you still haven't heard about them, I suggest you visit the natural user interface wiki on Wikipedia. These concepts are meant to improve the way we use technology or the way we interact with it. Lately we have seen that Microsoft has been more involved in social media environments and in the way users receive theyr products. It's not that crispy office company anymore. Or at least that's the way they want to appear.

The natural user interface Microsoft is developing is meant to improve the user interaction with the computer. Craig Mundie, Microsoft’s chief research and strategy officer, discusses how science and information technology can help solve the world’s biggest problems. In his presentations to college students Mundi uses text, voice but also hand gestures to manipulate the data on the screen. The most interesting thing though is the eye tracking, where you skim you eyes over the page in a very natural way.

Dont think that only big corporations have a part of all this hype. There are a lot more people passionate about such things. In fact there are even natural user interface groups out there. NUI Group, which actually is an acronym for Natural User Interface Group, is just one of them. You can check out their website at www.nuigroup.com. They have some really nice videos about the concepts that they created or tested.

Also in the commercial area there are several companies that provide customers multi-touch solutions, but mostly in the advertisement business. One company that deals with natural user interface in Europe is NUITEQ. Natural User Interface Technologies AB (NUITEQ) is a Swedish innovative technology company with its main focus on delivering commercial advanced multi-touch software solutions, to the global market. Additional services include multi-touch hardware solutions.

For all of these cool natural user interface devices you would of course need the top of the line technology or you would have to build it yourself, if you have the skills. But all of it is still in concept phase, which means it may never be created the way it is presented, it might not be cost-effective or another cool thing will come out in the meantime. One thing still bugs me about those transparent glass displays though. Won't they get all smeared from hand fat and fingerprints? Do you always have to clean them?

Nokia Morph - mobile phone concept

I've seen it on Gizmodo and then I went over to Unwired View for the original article, and I simply had to write about it. Nokia proves again that they are one of the greatest names in the industry. I, personally, am a huge fan of Nokia's mobile phones. Any of them. Since the standby time is one of the key factors I take into consideration when I see a phone, Nokia beats the competition by the mile. That's my little narrow point of view.

And with this new phone, they're going to set new limits that others can't reach. From what I understand, the phone is not yet planned for mass production so we can't expect it to be available in retail stores any time soon. But then again, even if it would be, I don't believe there will be many people so eager to purchase it. Seeing as the Apple iPhone made such a big hype around it, another ground breaking mobile phone might not be properly appreciated so soon. It's not like we're made of money. Well, most of us aren't anyway. And speaking of costs, if it will reach the masses that is, let's take a little look at the technology it involves. According to Unwired View, the concept phone is made possible with the help of nanotechnology based flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces. That makes the phone flexible, stretchy and thus the user might be able to give it different shapes. I can just imagine future implications of this technology. The commercials might sound a little like:

Tired of the mobile phone giving you an uncomfortable feeling when you sit down? Tired of that pain in your thigh? Well rest assured, the new Nokia Morph will bend to your every desire!

OK, so that was corny. I guess that's why I don't work in marketing or advertisement. But you probably got the general idea.

In the end, let's take a look at that beautiful green piece of ... something. Look at the shapes, look at the infinite possibilities, just look.