Your Next Cell Phone Won't Have Any of These

iPhone makes touchscreens the big thing, but voice, image recognition coming soon

By Michael Roston, Newser User

Posted Nov 8, 2008 1:33 AM CST

(Newser) – Designers are hard at work on technologies for tomorrow’s cell phones, Priya Ganapati writes for Wired, with more functional touchscreens, developing voice recognition that learns, and typepad software with fewer typos. In 5 years, Ganapati writes, “your phone will be a smooth, sleek brick—a piece of metal and plastic with a few grooves in it and little more.”

But cell-phone companies are mindful of not going too far, too quickly with new designs, aware that new technologies that are too experimental could be off-putting to subscribers who have gotten comfortable with current options. “It isn't about the technology but it is about the company’s ability to use the technology in a compelling and profitable way,” one consultant says.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

Your next phone may not have any buttons. (Mark Wagner/Creative Commons)

Keypads on mobile phones will, in the not-too-distant future, be replaced by touchscreens, or users will be able to rely on voice and movement commands. (©jepoirrier)

This mobile device concept from the British firm The Alloy, Couple-IT, is an example of the type of design being considered for future cell phone technology. (The Alloy)

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Mobile interface design has to mimic the touch, sight, gesture and auditory feeds that we use to interact with our environment. - Rachel Hinman of design-consulting firm Adaptive Path

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Guest

Nov 8, 2008 5:16 AM CST

come on, it wont be off-putting. Antitechs think they are afraid of technology but then it comes along and its so cool and easy to use and they just have to have one...

Guest

Nov 8, 2008 2:54 AM CST

"In 5 years, Ganapati writes, 'your phone will be a smooth, sleek brick—a piece of metal and plastic with a few grooves in it and little more.'" I guess I got my "future" phone six years early when I bought the iPhone.

dolcevita

Nov 7, 2008 11:14 PM CST

With a springy cord.

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Your Next Cell Phone Won't Have Any of These