Diaries of a Nokia Fan Boy

Well this is interesting. If anyone remembers that resistive display technology that was able to detect multiple input points as well as the pressure applied to those points, this looks like very similar tech. In fact, I would question whether Nokia is developing the interface for that very display in order to incorporate it into their next generation of cellphones!

The idea is fairly simple: instead of just identifying multiple points, have the device identify the pressure which is being applied to each one. This could allow for more realistic game play, such as playing musical instruments, as well as I’m sure that some more practical applications will be out there.

This of course is not the first time that tech like this has been developed. Some companies use the surface area being touched at a single point in order to identify the intensity, however that tech is not very accurate.

I am, however, hoping that this is the implementation of the prototype resistive display we saw before, and there are a couple reasons for that. First, resistive displays permit the use of styli. Second, resistive displays are less power hungry. A potential down side, and something I am slightly concerned with, is just how they plan to make the screen – namely, I like the way a glass, capacitive screen feels.

Anyway, interesting technology, really exciting potential products, however its still only a patent application and its likely that we’re at least a year or two away from seeing it in practice.

-Nokia FanBoy

patent application
via: Engadget Mobile (read)

Well this is rather interesting. I have always disliked the way Apple used the courtrooms to their advantage and was rather pleased at just how little court time Nokia puts other companies through. Now if Nokia sued a different company I would have been upset, however this being Apple I am torn – on the one hand I disapprove of suing just to get your way, to postpone the launch of a product, etc. but on the other hand, this is Apple we’re talking about, the company that seemingly sues left, right, and center.

The details of the lawsuit aren’t exactly open to the public as yet, however we do know that it is due to some patents regarding GSM, UMTS, and WiFi, among others I’m sure. Also, the cause of the lawsuit is, of course, Apple’s iPhone, and Nokia states that 10 patents have been infringed on.

A brief history: Nokia has an amazing patent portfolio, having invested well over EURO 40 billion into R&D. Nokia’s patents are considered essential to industry standards. And Nokia has also successfully entered into patent agreements with over 40 companies, including some of the leading manufacturers.

I am really interested to see where this goes, and I am really quite torn on the matter. Of course its going to last quite a while so don’t expect updates too often.

-Nokia FanBoy

read: press release
via: Symbian-Freak (read)