Nokia's patent application looks at things from a different angle

Nokia's back with another USPTO filing. This time, they're vying for rights to this dual-display flip -- aka, a "foldable electronic apparatus." Open at say, 160-degrees and the bottom panel is readied for touch-screen input. Open fully and the display extends across both panels. This filing, like the new S60 interface, shows that Nokia's done a 180 themselves. Remember, it was only 5 months ago that they were questioning the value of touch-screens for consumers.

[Via Unwired View, thanks Pdexter]

[Christine @ Nov 23rd 2007 8:22AM]

I dont like Nokia products very much, this doesnt change my mind.

[Vanillacide @ Nov 23rd 2007 8:44AM]

It's the Nokia DS -- maybe they hoping to sell as many as Nintendo?

[LondonConsultant @ Nov 23rd 2007 8:52AM]

I just read the main patent claim (on the read link) and, although it's a nice design idea, the law is ridiculous when something as basic as that can be patented...

[Jon Acheson @ Nov 23rd 2007 9:22AM]

That's not a bad looking design, but yeah, the DS did it first.

Will it play N-Gage games?

[Constable Odo @ Nov 23rd 2007 9:57AM]

Why would they do a 180 about touchscreens. After all, they figured nobody would want or need touchscreen handsets. Oh, that's right. They have to chase after the iPhone in order to stay on top of the handset business.

[Jah @ Nov 23rd 2007 10:20AM]

Engadget Tech journalists know so little - what about the Nokia 7710?

[Thomas Ricker @ Nov 23rd 2007 10:58AM]

@Jah, That's a nearly 3 year old device of extremely minor significance when considering Nokia's overall lineup. If you would have read the comments made by Nokia linked to above (which I now paste here):

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/11/nokias-not-enthusiastic-about-touchscreens-apple-lg-and/

then you'd understand our point, perhaps.

Thomas

[Bazza @ Nov 23rd 2007 3:31PM]

...And only two months ago they announced their s60 touch interface. Did you forget, or did you just not know something wittier to finish the article off with?

[Jah @ Nov 23rd 2007 5:04PM]

@Thomas

if you had done your research you would have known that Series 90 was being added to S60 before the interview you mentioned. Nokia is a company with many employees, just because one senior person says something about touch screens it does not mean that is the view of all decision makers and that views do not change. The UI of the 7710 is superb and used as the basis of the Nokia N800 etc. Also ask yourself how come in October Nokia were showing a working touch screen S60 devices at the London Smartphone show if Nokia had no real development for touch screens in June 2007!

[Thomas Ricker @ Nov 23rd 2007 5:26PM]

@Jah,

Why all the anger? Fact of the matter is, the *bulk* of Nokia's efforts have not been behind touchscreen devices or a UI based on finger navigation. LG, Samsung, HTC, and Apple recognized the mass-market appeal of this combination and are now capitalizing on it. Where's Nokia? Still showing off its future platform at events, not the phone shops.

Thomas

[Jah @ Nov 23rd 2007 5:53PM]

@Thomas,

actually Ericsson and SE had the first touch screen devices in the R380 and the P800, many many years ago. Real Smartphones not just PDAs. And most touch screen device users have used their fingers for many years or the back of a finger nail - not real innovation here.