Tag: prototype

The Nokia Ion Prototype Is The Bitesized Android That Company Should Have Made

The smartphone market is currently dominated by two mobile operating systems which include Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. About a decade ago the conditions were not the same as they are now. There used to Nokia which single-handedly dominated the mobile phone market with its S40 and Symbian phones.

However, with passing time and shift in consumer trends, the two mobile operating systems developed by Nokia vanished. Encountering fierce competition, the company did not reveal its first Android smartphone, the Nokia X till 2014. Though it had other prototype smartphones in development which unfortunately never saw the light of the day.

One such device is the ultra-compact Nokia Ion Mini prototype, which is currently listed for auction on eBay. The device has a distinctive design with plastic and aluminium build. Even when placed next to the iPhone 5S from 2014, the Nokia Ion Mini seems like a puny toy.

Even though the listing does not reveal the screen size of the Nokia Ion Mini, it does state the display has a wvga resolution of 480 x 800. Still, it can be assumed that the display on the device would approximately measure 3 inch.

Under the hood, the Nokia Ion Mini packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 which is clocked at 1.2 GHz. The listing states that the smartphone runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean which was unveiled in the year 2013. Connectivity options on the smartphone include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G. Also, according to the listing, the device is carrier unlocked so users from around the globe can use it, in case they intend to do so.

As previously mentioned, the Nokia Ion Mini prototype with an appealing design is listed on eBay UK at a price of US $ 1,999. Though the price is very steep and it is much more than the device would have originally intended for. Taking into consideration it is a rare device, this is mfore of a collectors item than a device that the conventional user would use on a day to day basis. For reference, the futuristic Galaxy Fold which is expected to be made commercially available next month is priced for US$ 1980.

It won’t be fair to say that this charming and ultra pocketable Nokia Ion Mini could have taken down Samsung’s behemoth army of varied smartphones by itself. Though it could have generated its own following amongst consumers that intend to buy a compact handset.

Also Read: Features And Design Of Apple iPhone XI Lineup Leaked In CAD Renders

Nonetheless, this tiny Android smartphone will definitely go down the books of history for Nokia and cult followers of Nokia who are willing to pay any price for such a unique item.

July 1, 2019
Pictures of a Nokia Handset Prototype Appear Online

Nokia seems to be everyone’s favourite under-dog these days. So obviously, when pictures of a potential Nokia prototype appear online, we cannot help but talk about them.

Images of an unknown handset has appeared online which seems to be Nokia-branded. It appears to be a prototype handset, and a closer look at the images does not reveal any doctoring. It sports a camera on the back with an LED flash along with suggestions of an antenna design on the body of the phone.

Additionally, the images do not show a smartphone, but a feature phone. It is complete with a keypad and a non-touch display. This could be either an old prototype which couldn’t be launched before Microsoft took over Nokia, and then got shoved under the carpet, or it could be a future device.

Even though Nokia is not allowed to use its brand on feature phones until 2024, as part of the deal with Microsoft, who knows what this device holds for the future? Watch this space for more scoop on Nokia and its upcoming plans.

January 11, 2016
First Look at Toshiba’s First Working Camera Modules for Project Ara

Project Ara is an on-going endeavor by Google to create a modular smartphone for which the user can switch critical components in and out, thus allowing them to build the perfect phone for their specific needs. It seems that one of the third parties working on the modules is Toshiba, which is contributing towards its progress in creating the first swappable camera units.

Toshiba has created one prototype with a 2MP camera which is designed to be placed in front of the camera and 5MP and 13MP camera modules, which is to be placed as the primary camera. All the cameras are within a swappable module, which would allow the user to swap cameras according to their desired shot, or simply purchasing a better camera piece and replacing the existing one.

Toshiba had revealed some of the initial designs at the Modular Phones Forum. As of now, the company is now developing three different modules: a 2MP front camera and 5MP/13MP primary camera.

The video below shows Toshiba’s new 5MP prototype camera module working and capturing images.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo4GeSil9fU

February 17, 2015
Paperfold is prototype for a Foldable Smartphone

The Human Media Lab at Canada’s Queen’s University has designed a prototype of a smartphone, that can not only fold, but transform from one form factor to another. The future of unified devices may simply lie in a design like this. The “Paperfold” uses three snap – E-Ink displays to create one large display.

The Human media lab claims that the inspiration came from paper, and that the device will have a lot of possible future uses. The hinges also act as buttons allowing you to switch between modes and tasks depending on your usage and application.

Although we are notoriously far from the project reaching commercial availability, it seems that the next logical step in transformation of devices could and may as well be devices like the Paperfold. Watch the video below for more.

May 2, 2014
Google Announces Project Tango, a 5 inch Android Smartphone that Can Map the World Around You

The goal of Project Tango is to give mobile devices a human-scale understanding of space and motion. The device is a 5 inch Android prototype smartphone equipped with 3D sensors and other components to track motion and map the surroundings around you.

Google has 200 devices that they are preparing to give out to developers who want to build mapping tools, games, and new algorithms that can take advantage of the technology on the prototype smartphone, and these developer editions will ship by 14th March 2014 as planned by Google.

Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group is the brains behind the project Tango. By now, you might have got an idea of what exactly is Project Tango, now lets see how it works:

The device in the Tango project will work by using a motion tracking camera and a sensor built into the backside of the prototype android smartphone. Once the smartphone is moved around, the sensors will detect everything in front of them, and as a result it will build a 3D map of the surroundings using the data captured.

The Project Tango is capable of doing more as per ATAP, while they emphasize this on being at an early stage, they also believe developers will do wonders with this prototype. Project Tango is result of one year research from ATAP, they worked with universities, research labs, and industrial partners spanning nine countries around the world to harvest research from the last decade of work in robotics and computer vision, concentrating that technology into the prototype smartphone.

This project comes from Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects team, the same team which was associated with Motorola but Google decided to keep them, while they let go Motorola. We will keep you updated with all the latest happenings related to the Project Tango, however, you might want to watch the video below to know more:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe10ExwzCqk”]

[Project Tango]

February 21, 2014
Galaxy SIII Prototype leaked, images, buttons etc

Here it is! or is it? Is this the next Galaxy phone? The Galaxy SIII, launching May 3 2012 has been grabbing a lot of limelight in th east couple of weeks and now as we near the launch a lot of details have been handed out to us.

Looking at the image it appears that the Touchwiz customizations will be very well integrated with the Android 4.0 UI. Also to notice is the positions of the buttons is different, and the presence of a rather large home button of physical nature, which is usually absent in Android 4.0 devices, makes for a unique function of the said “physical home button”.

Well either way, we won’t really know till we know, first week of May 2012.

April 25, 2012
Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin spotted wearing Google Glass prototype

Were you wondering if the Google Glass prototype was actually real or just a pro type in the testing? Well, here is the answer, apparently Google is really serious about the project. How serious you ask? Google C0-Founder Sergey Bring was spotted wearing a prototype at a recent charity event for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Robert Scoble posted the images on his Google+ account for the world to see in amazement. According to the comments in his post other people, including Google exec Vic Gundotra also have the prototype glasses.

Wowie?

[Robert Scoble]

April 9, 2012
Blackberry London – QNX based Berry – Leaked dummy

Oh dummy its just a dummy, QNX based Blackberry “london” just showed up on the inter webs and it does look like there is a future of the mobile smartphone company after all (the device is only a dummy). The device purportedly thinner yet taller than the iPhone 4/4s will feature a nice set of specs. The Verge ( proud owners of the story) were also informed that the device will feature a 1.5GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage. An 8-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front-facing one with a release set for June 2012.

Time to upgrade my Berry to London, well in 6 months anyway!

[The Verge]

November 15, 2011
The Festo Smart Bird – A Miracle In Aviation

We’ve all seen Wile E Coyote trying to flap some ACME wings to take off from a cliff to catch the Road Runner and failing every single time. Well sadly, like the coyote, man has had the greatest trouble trying to design a machine that can fly like a bird. Until today, we have not had the materials or the scientific data to unravel the mystery of flight. And it’s not for a lack of trying. Many engineers and scientists have, over the years, tried to achieve this goal but have failed time and time again.

After many centuries of observing bird flight and analysing its motion and studying the anatomy of birds, man has enough data to replicate the way a bird flies. Researchers at Festo, a global leader in the fields of pneumatic and electrical automation technology, have developed a prototype that they’ve dubbed the Smart Bird. Watch the video below and see it take its first flight.

July 29, 2011
Nokia W7 and W8 to be the First 2 Nokia Windows Phone 7 Devices

Here is an interesting tidbit. A report at russian website Habrahabr [Russian] claims that they have first hand information on the new and upcoming models of Nokia’s Windows Phone 7 Lineup. The W7 and the W8 will be both touch screen, where either of them will have a slide out full qwerty keyboard. They also present information on how Nokia will get to play with the Phase 2 of Windows Phone 7 Devices where the form factor limitation will be lifted and the ability to reorganize the operating system, will be an integral part of the Manufacturers capability.

April 14, 2011
Samsung Galaxy S II leaked in Ukraine, complete with Ukrainian Video Preview

The much anticipated successor of the Popular Samsung Galaxy S / SL has been leaked in Ukraine. The Samsung Galaxy S II brings all those features that the Galaxy S forgot to and more.

The device has an 8 Megapixel Autofocus camera on the back and this time has a camera Flash as well. It also runs a newer version of Touchwiz Ui by samsung on what appears to be Android 2.3. It also has the HTC Leap-esque home screen jump, like we saw in the new Galaxy series that we recently looked at.

March 24, 2011
Panasonic’s solar powered wireless charging table

A solar powered table that can wirelessly charge things, what more could you ask for? This isn’t a device that is available right now but Panasonic seem to be readying the stylish technical table for retail towards the end of this year or the start of next year.

The only true problem we see with the design image – Well you cant be inside with the sun, and you possibly cant charge your device in direct sunlight either. Unless they come up with a design like this ambient-light powered display, we don’t see much use for this solar powered table.

March 14, 2011
BMW’s i3 and i8 caught testing on ice, with ski clothing?

Just a few weeks back BMW announced the “i” series cars. This series is meant to be the first full range electric/hybrid vehicles from the automaker. The cars with 62MPG rating and a 0 – 62 time of 4.8 seconds.

[Autoblog]

March 10, 2011
Sony Ericssons Windows Phone 7 Device Leaked !

Pictures of what looks to be a Sony Ericsson prototype running Windows Phone 7 have recently surfaced. “Julie” the name that was given to a sliding prototype WIN 7 handset when SE was named Manufacturer at the WP7 event last year. It is becoming more and more apparent that manufacturers are keeping their options open in terms of Mobile OS selection and the demand for Windows Phone 7 Devices is far more than anyone would have anticipated. The only problem that remains to be showcased tis the difference in the hardware manufacture process. While all manufacturers are in an ability to provide similar hardware, what a manufacturer does better is what will set them apart in the coming future. Lets wait and watch.

March 7, 2011
Rolls – Royce makes an Electric Phantom – Wants your opinion on production!

Luxury car maker Rolls Royce has just announced an electric prototype of its flagship the “Phantom”. Possibly the best luxury car available today. The car dubbed 102EX is still a prototype and the company along with the CEO want people to join in a global debate to see whether or not they should go into production. Primarily if Luxury and an electric motor can co-exist in harmony without denting the ego of the Phantom owner!

Join the global debate at www.ElectricLuxury.com

PR

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Confirms Electric Test Vehicle Project

Goodwood UK

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the development of 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom, to debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data which will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

“We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,” said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, speaking from the company’s headquarters in Goodwood. “With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.”

Rolls-Royce produces cars that represent the pinnacle in luxurious motoring for the world’s most discerning customers. With 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), it is the company’s intention to carefully test the opinions and reactions to alternative drive-train options of a range of stakeholders including owners, enthusiasts, members of the public and the media.

102EX will serve as a working test bed for a global tour that takes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Through test drives, owners will be given the opportunity to experience an alternative drive-train technology and to feedback their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly to Rolls-Royce.

While there are no plans to develop a production version, as one of the company’s EX models it will serve to begin a dialogue with existing owners and stakeholders, posing as well as answering questions of its audience.

These include the car’s ability to deliver an acceptable range between re-charges and to operate in extreme weather conditions. But also to benchmark reliability and quality against customer expectations of the world’s pinnacle automotive brand.
“I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience,” added Müller-Ötvös. “It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future.”

In preparation for the Geneva debut, Rolls-Royce will launch the website www.electricluxury.com this week, a portal to fuel a wider global debate seeking views on the question of electric luxury from media, VIPs and stakeholders. The site will also deliver regular updates of the car’s progress while on tour.

Full technical specifications for 102EX, as well as images and b-roll will be published at 00:01 GMT on 1 March 2011.

February 21, 2011