Apple is rumoured to be testing some prototypes of a next-generation iPhone that includes an RFID reader built in. According to Einar Rosenberg, who runs LinkedIn's Near Field Communications group, "the reaction was very positive that we can expect this in the next gen iPhone".

We're a little skeptical. Not that Apple is testing RFID in iPhones, after all - it's patented the idea, but that it'll be showing up in the next iPhone in June 2010. On the one hand, near-field communications is a growing industry, but on the other hand there's relatively few places you can use it right now (outside of the Oyster Card system on the London tube network).

Rosenberg posits that it could be used to link iPhones to Macs for syncing purposes, which is possible. We think it's more likely, though, that this is an extension of Apple's new iPod-touch based purchasing systems for Apple store staffers, and could make its way into a more enterprise-targeted product.

What do you reckon? Tell us in the comments.

Note: The embedded video above is from the Touch Project's iPhone RFID Demonstration - it's not an Apple video.

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Tags: Phones iPhone Apple Mobile phones RFID Concepts Rumours Video

VIDEO: Apple prototyping RFID iPhones? originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:01:36 +0000

Whether you're a Mac or a PC (or a bit of both) this witty concept design has something for all-comers, with the clever design idea to create real-world versions of the calculators found in operating systems.

Just a concept at this stage, although we reckon with real product potential, the Mintpass designer has managed to capture the individual characteristics of the XP calculator and Apple's more metallic option perfectly.

Of course, if they were real world products the Mac version would be over-priced - and likely boast a non-replaceable battery - while the Windows version would crash often and may well come with an over-friendly paperclip as a free gift.

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Tags: Software Calculators Microsoft Apple Concepts Operating Systems

Clever concept sees OS calculators created in real life originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:44:52 +0000

The humble car is about to be catapulted into the 21st century offering drivers and passengers a multimedia experience akin to enjoying an in-flight entertainment service sat on an aeroplane.

Although only at a "proof of concept" stage at the moment, Alcatel-Lucent has shown off in New York what it believes we will be experiencing in the next couple of years.

Based around a Toyota Prius, the "Connected Car" features a LTE wireless connection, four independently operated touchscreens streaming live content from the Internet and cloud computing resources, such as connected music catalogues. ?

Each individual touchscreen in the Connected Car can operate simultaneously and features six categories of applications and content: Navigation, Communication, Internet, Vehicle Control, Games, and Entertainment. ?
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Because of the LTE connection, users will be able do things like rent a movie on the road, access home services and play multi-player games against passengers in the car, in other cars or remotely.

Alcatel-Lucent said the technology would also allow users to create a Wi-Fi hotspot in the car allowing your phone to connect to the Internet.

Tags: Car And GPS Cars Car Stereos Alcatel-Lucent Concepts Toyota

"Connected Car" brings in-flight entertainment to your car originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000

From the chaps that brought us the iPhone with Cover Flow multi-tasking, Apple's mobile gets Dashboard Widgets in this latest concept.

The clip from Ocean Observations shows one possible way the iPhone could offer Dashboard Widgets as seen in the Mac operating system on desktops and MacBooks.

Hit play to see the vision and meanwhile we'll be sure to keep you posted with all iPhone news - real or imaginary.

Tags: Phones iPhone Mac software Concepts Video Ocean Observations

VIDEO: What if the iPhone had Dashboard Widgets? originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:05:22 +0000

We got invited to look into the future by Ericsson at the Taiwan Broadband show, as the company has done some studies on what the connected world will look like in 2020.

Ericsson was showing off a few concepts of what they expect to see in terms of consumer interactivity with various devices and how people would use these devices in 2020.

One of the concepts which Ericsson has created something of a working prototype of is the Spider Computer. This was initially meant as a computer for third world countries, but was changed to become something more of a portable computer during the study.

The current prototype has a built-in pico projector, a laser keyboard and a memory card reader. Ericsson is working on a clever way to integrate a long lasting battery and of course internet connectivity.

The Spider Computer mock-up looks like something out of a sci-fi movie as it stands on three legs that are meant to fold into the device itself. It’s all black and it almost looks as if it’ll come alive at any moment and start to attack you.

It’s always interesting to see a company’s vision of the future, but the biggest hurdle in this case seems to be how to power the separate devices rather than how to integrate all the technology Ericsson wants to fit into its futuristic concept.

You can read more about Ericsson’s vision of the year 2020 over at http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/corpinfo/2020/

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Tags: Hardware Desktop PCs Concepts Ericsson

Ericsson reveals futuristic Spider Computer concept originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:46:59 +0000

The ebook reader marketplace is becoming rapidly populated as manufacturers rush to produce a gadget that not everyone's got yet.

Some potential purchasers are said to be put off from making the leap from hardback to ebook due to the electronic version not offering such a tactile experience.

This new concept design aims to address such issues with a "flipper" section on the right edge that can be pushed up, or down, to virtually turn a page.

Other innovations within the design include the flip gesture generating power for the device, a neat idea for a power-saving solution.

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Tags: Gadgets ebooks eBook readers Concepts Bibliofile

Bibliofile ebook reader concept design revealed originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:19:57 +0000

Ocean Observations has worked up a concept interface for the iPhone that takes elements of the Palm Pre's functionality, combines it with Apple's Cover Flow, and makes up their idea of what multi-tasking on the iPhone could look like.

"Our idea is to present the running apps together with the rest of your app icons on the home screen, instead of hiding them behind some long pressing unrelated key", says the team behind the concept.

"All running apps have a miniature representation in a cover flow at the bottom of the screen. To make room for this, each home screen page will have one less row of icons and the dock is removed completely. But since the running apps will often equal your favourites, they will still be easily accessible".

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Tags: Phones iPhone apps Concepts Video Ocean Observations

VIDEO: iPhone concept shows Cover Flow multi-tasking originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:15:13 +0100

Adobe has posted a video revealing what features future versions of its Photoshop software might offer.

Revealed online for those that could not make it to Photoshop World, Adobe says it's a "sneak peek of technologies we're working on in the Photoshop Labs".

Hit play on the 5-minute video above to see wet paint effects for better blending, new brush prototypes, and warping and distorting functionality that looks almost too advanced to be possible.

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Tags: Software Adobe Adobe Photoshop Video Concepts Photo editing software

VIDEO: Sneak peak into the future of Adobe Photoshop originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:36:33 +0100

Panasonic Avionics has come up with a new concept for in-seat entertainment on aeroplanes. Dubbed the Fusion, it's for cattle-class seats, rather than for those that turn left. It gets an advanced touchscreen a USB port and iPod integration. When fitted into planes of the future it will offer video, games and internet access in a rather tidy design.

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Tags: Gadgets Home Cinema Panasonic Aeroplanes Video Concepts

VIDEO: Panasonic's Fusion entertainment concept for aeroplanes originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:39:50 +0100

Newly revealed designs from Microsoft's Applied Sciences Group and Microsoft Research bring the world five new input devices - presented as the Mouse 2.0 - that combine mousing abilities with multi-touch capabilities.

"Our goal is to enrich traditional pointer-based desktop interactions with touch and gestures. To chart the design space, we present five different multi-touch mouse implementations - the Arty Mouse, Cap Mouse, FTIR Mouse, Orb Mouse and Side Mouse", says the team.

Hit play now to see the different touch applications in action, as well as the different form factors your future mouse might well take...

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Tags: Hardware Mice And Keyboards Concepts Microsoft Video Microsoft Research

VIDEO: Microsoft's Mouse 2.0 concepts originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:18:53 +0100

Apple's much-rumoured iTablet, or iPad as the most recent rumours have dubbed it, could get a highly advanced touchscreen.

A new patent application revealed by AppleInsider describes plans for a multi-touch surface that could work with two full hands and distinguish between palms and individual fingers for typing and gestures, with activities done with more than one finger referred to as "chords".

Filed in June this year, Apple says the tech in the patent would make for "unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device".

Adding to the iPad hype, with the ability to detect all ten digits, the device that uses such a screen would have to be large enough to support two hands, so arguably of tablet, rather than phone, dimensions.

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Related links:

• News - Fresh Apple tablet rumours claim the iPad is due on 19 January

Tags: Hardware Apple Tablet PCs iTablet iPad Rumours Patents Concepts

Apple patents advanced multi-touch display originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:52:34 +0100

Would you like to transform your iPhone into a teeny, tiny netbook complete with weeny keyboard? Well, now there's an app for that. Hit play on the video above to see Manuel Eder's amazing demo. It's just a shame it sounds a bit noisy...

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Tags: Phones iPhone Apple Video iPhone apps Concepts

VIDEO: New app turns your iPhone into a tiny netbook originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:33:20 +0100

Honda has revealed its new personal mobility device, aimed at the elderly, ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show.

The U3-X, part unicycle, part Segway, is just at concept at this stage, but is a lot smaller than most other designs.

The U3-X can stand up unsupported, like a stool, users sit on it and leaning in a direction then sets the contraption off. It can go sideways as well as backwards and forwards.

The U3-X is designed to be small, safe and unobtrusive enough to use alongside pedestrians, says Honda.

Specs include speeds of up to 6 kilometres an hour, a weight of less than 10kgs, but just a 1-hour battery life.

A concept design at this stage, there's no news yet on when you might see pensioners on U3-Xs zipping down the high street.

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Related links:

• News - Honda unveils walking assist device

Tags: Car And GPS Honda Segway Honda U3-X Concepts Video

VIDEO: Honda's U3-X redesigns the Segway originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:33:40 +0100

Forget your PS3 Slim, we're all over the PlayStation 4 as designed by Tai Chiem.

With see-thru being the new piano black, this PS4 concept gets a transparent touch-controlled console and matching controllers.

The fourth image along also features Chiem's vision for the "Xbox 720", taking the Microsoft console and making it all space age.

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Related links:

• Feature - The evolution of the PlayStation games console

Tags: Gaming Sony Concepts PlayStation 4 Photos

PlayStation 4 clear concept revealed originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:53:05 +0100

We brought you the video for Min Kyu Choi's folding plug, but we love it so much, we couldn't help but grab some hands-on time with a prototype of the plug and travel adapter whilst chatting to its designer.

The folding plug system was recently awarded third place in the James Dyson Awards for 2009, which aims to reward and encourage innovative and practical design solutions.

"Manufacture involves insert-injection moulding", commented Min Kyu Choi, "which is expensive". Telling us that securing investment and passing all the necessary safety standards was the current focus.

The folding plug has a distinct Apple feel to it, which is no surprise as the thin MacBook Air was the inspiration for the design.

We also took a look at the travel adapter, which lets you plug in three folding plugs (which will work when folded), or opt for the double USB adapter.

You can check out Min Kyu Choi's website, link below, with lots more on the folding plug there.

Related links:

• Link - Min Kyu Choi's website
• Link - James Dyson Award
• Video - 1cm thick UK plug designed

Tags: Gadgets Home And Kitchen Dyson Concepts Photos

PHOTOS: UK folding plug and travel adapter originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:02:38 +0100

"Phone meets robot" is the title of this concept vision from Japanese operator KDDI showing off the "Polaris" handset of the future. Hit play to see its vision of what we can expect from our robotic phones in times to come...

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Tags: Phones Mobile phones KDDI Concepts Video Robots

VIDEO: KDDI's futuristic phone-bot concept revealed originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:48:43 +0100

Philips has revealed its uWand "remote touch" pointer technology for both PCs and TVs. The company says the solution "supersedes the traditional remote control" to give users "fluid 3D gesture control of electronic devices" in new "lean-back interaction".

Describing how the tech works, Philips says: "Consumers sitting on a sofa simply point the uWand in the appropriate direction, click to make selections and move the uWand to interact with screen menus, and manipulate objects such as photos, as if they were actually touching them".

The uWand system has a small camera embedded in the remote control that identifies "beacons" built into the target device and a small bar, similar to the one the Nintendo Wii uses.

"The traditional remote control, with its 50 or more buttons, simply isn't keeping pace with modern interactive television. uWand's gesture-based control removes the need for all the buttons yet provides a much expanded range of interaction", says a uWand bod.

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Tags: Home Cinema Philips Remote controls uWand Concepts

Philips reveals uWand remote touch tech originally appeared on Pocket-lint on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:16:41 +0100