14 DAY TRIAL // Nokia is apparently aiming to improve their phones and bring some innovation to their products, having recently got a patent on a 'in-any-direction' cell phone display and gaming cell phone adapter.
These patents actually reveal something that might actually end up in a product and not just forgotten or briefly mentioned as an idea that some mobile phone manufacturer had at one point in time.
The first patent details a mobile phone's display that can basically tell which way is up and will flip what's displayed on the screen according to that.
Kind of like the iPhone. But rest assured, this won't infringe any patents as it will apply to mobile phones that come with a keypad.
The keys will also flip and work and will allow the use of the phone even if it's upside down. The second handset is sort of a joystick phone, but rather than including a pop-out joystick, Nokia thought it best to allow the use of the stylus that acts as a joystick. Apparently, this handset is meant to be a better gaming mobile phone.
In the case of the second one, this is what the abstract states: "A handheld device having processor components operatively connected together for performing predetermined functions. The device defines a socket configured for rotatably receiving a ball defining an orifice configured for receiving a stylus. The socket is further configured for generating to the processor components electrical signals indicative of movement of the ball in response to movement of the stylus. The processor components include pointing device logic for responding to said signals."
To a certain extent, the iPhone is a trend-setter and many manufacturers are now considering bringing new features into their own products.