Futuristic Nokia Concepts Reviewed

nitinah writes "Nokia design concepts is an ongoing initiative from the Finnish communications giant that invites designers around the world to create breakthrough cellphone designs. Phonemag has coverage of this year's entries, which includes the Aki, a wrist wrap device for programmed self expression that tunes its behavior and outgoing/incoming communications based on the moods and gestures of the user, and allows 'talking' without speaking, just by gesture. Another design is the Acibo, which features a mini buddy device that has an entirely voice driven all-in-one personal communicator which can be charged by bio-energy. More featured concepts include a wearable, shock proof and waterproof device, the SURV1, a necklace based communicator called the Global Nomad , and a complete communication device called the Colores, with virtual storage to access all your personal information on the go."

well, let's just do the future, ignore the present

[yagu]

Oh please, oh please, stop making futuristic cell phones. How about some today phones. Phones that work. Phones that sound good. Phones that have decent battery life.

Last time I looked at cell phones, the only ones on display at the kiosk were camera phones. I asked to look at just a plane old cell phone. She asked why I would want a phone that couldn't take pictures. Hwah?

Let's see, what is Nokia considering:

• the Aki, a wrist strap device for programmed self expression? Hell most people aren't able to self express anyway, let alone thinking some wrist device is going to do this. An electronic and more expensive twenty-first century mood ring (for those of you who are old enough to remember).
• the Acibo?, voice driven?, bio-energy rechargeable? Hwah? Don't know what bio-energy rechargeable means. I'm also not wild about the idea of yet another device to which people can talk and get increasingly frustrated when it calls "Bob" instead of "Mom". Nope.
• the wearable shockproof SURV1. Huh, shockproof wearable electronics? They'd better be. Interesting looking, old looking in a year, which of course is what they want.
• a necklace base communicator, the Global Nomad? Cute name. Ugly device. They describe it as the necklace for your geeky girlfriend. For those geeks I know who do have a girlfriend, even they won't wear this device. Nor, I'm guessing would any guys. Next!
• the Colores. Apparently this does everything and holdseverything. I just don't think there's a need for people to be this chock full of data, nor to be this transcendentally connected to the universe. But, I could be wrong.

Maybe I'm too Unix "old school". I like small devices each of which do their thing well, and integrate nicely with other things when it makes sense. In the above "future", it mostly doesn't.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for cell phone technology to work correctly. Can you hear me now?

Unusable

[Numair]

The user interfaces for these things completely suck. Anyone remember that retarded "rotary dial" interface on the 3650? Yeah, well, here's more from the same people who brought you that piece of crap ...

Does this mean

[zappepcs]

that Nokia is out of ideas? Can't they go down the street to Ikea and get some more?

Make Phones for Consumers

[fragmentate]

Subject says it all.

Most companies are making their phones for the carriers. Which means out of the last 4 camera phones I've had, I've had to buy a service to get the pictures off. Yeah, I can buy some 3rd party hack to do the job, but these hacks would work so much better if the phone had been designed for my personal use. Instead, they're designed so the carriers can make more money.

So, they can make all the fancy phones they want, I've ceased buying them.

Now that I think about it, I'm probably the only one that cares...

Re:well, let's just do the future, ignore the pres

[G3ckoG33k]

In this case, I think Nokia need it. They have had the same lead designer for ten years or so; which might explain why their phones all look so similar too.

Anyhow - fresh blood and ideas are always welcome. Think Appple, they do have some wacko ideas coming out regularly. Who else would have suggested an iPod, or those ****ugly iMac? Nokia need som more weird things too, after a decade of mobile traditionalism.

Re:Make Phones for Consumers

[Slashdiddly]

Maybe they would make phones for consumers if consumers paid for them. However, at least in the US, most phones are heavily ($200-$300) subsidized by carriers. So the simple answer is, as always: follow the money.

oh come on

[akhomerun]

this isn't even realistic. phones have been the same, weak, slow, useless crap for the last 10 years. even if these phones are plausibile, they are totally unergonomic and unrealistic. i mean what planet are these guys on?

even if any of these devices become plausible, the cell phone companies won't touch them because they don't involve ripping off the customer for $3 ringtones

furthermore, isn't it easier to just push buttons rather than to remember stupid gestures that you have to act out in public and look like a complete idiot?