Design: Björn Torhall
for Mobile phone 2020

 

 
Summary

In 13 years time, year 2020 I believe there will be a sucsessful merge between laptops and mobile phones and the outcome should be a device with the size of a phone, but somehow the comfort of a laptop. To solve this I designed a transformable device, which is optimised for the current use. When used as a phone it is small as a phone, when used as a computer it has the size of a computer.

Background
Today a phone is used for a lot more then just calling. More and more features become available with stronger cpu's and better displays. The new gengre UMPC is one step towards a merge between laptops and mobile phones, but the size seems to be an unsolvable problem. UMPCs are to big to be a phone PDA combo, and to small to be useful as laptops. A phone-sized device can not be used for typing very well and the screen is today limited to the size of the phone. If the size is increased, the mobility is reduced. My proposal ROLL-UP is an effort to solve this issue.

Proposal
To solve the size issue I designed a transformable device, which is optimised for the current use. When used as a phone it is small as a phone, when used as a computer it has the size of a computer.
It has dual panels and one of them is a scratchproof touch screen for interactive interfaces, which also makes the front of the device. The other one is a roll-up screen, with a maximum size of 10". When used in full-size mode (maxi mode) a large keyboard is projected onto almost any surface.

Why a hand-held and not a bracelet, implant or goggles with displays?
Of course it’s possible to make the phone disappear, but I cannot see that coming. The gadget love is stronger then the wish to call just by scratching your ear tip. And to control a device with your hands is the most natural way. A loose object can also be passed to a friend to see or use. Furthermore a hand-held device empowers the user to put it wherever he/she pleases. For example in the pocket or in a bag. If we design a pair of goggles or a bracelet we limit optional use.

The three faces of ROLL-UP click and drag to rotate the devices
Mini mode   Medi mode   Maxi mode    
   
   
for use as a phone is used today   for typing, gaming, web, film   for comfortable working    
 

 

Visual explanation

click the image to load a flash presentation

 

If i win
I will use the latest technology to design a device with the features of my proposal. I believe it can be done today if the capacity of my proposal for 2020 is reduced. First I would create the interface to match an existing touch screen of the right size. The next step would be to build in the keyboard projector. After that I would test different flexible displays and how the sides can be strengthened, and if possible include the roll-up screen.

Alternatively, since my MA-thesis is supposed to be done this autumn it would be a great opportunity for me to work at Sony Ericsson and Mobile Life Centre on a new project in the same field.

 


 

 

 

All work by Björn Torhall, e-mail: bearthesign@gmail.com , student at Konstfack (ID)
Vävstolsvägen 8, SE-16875 Bromma, mobile phone (avaliable from July 23) 0733-478325