14 DAY TRIAL // Although the Finnish handset manufacturer is in a deep process of reinventing itself, it appears that its engineers have come up with something innovative.
Nokia's R&D labs have patented a mobile device that features a 3D display, as well as a regular 2D screen.
Even though Nokia fans might say that it resembles one of the old Nokia Communicator devices that have been so popular among businessmen, in truth it looks very much like the recently launched Nintendo 3DS.
While the 3D technology is not something new in the mobile phone world, as we already have the LG Optimus 3D available on the market, it appears that Nokia's device features a bunch of front-facing cameras that are meant to determine the user's eyes movement to better display 3D images.
It is common fact that users have troubles while using glasses-free 3D devices because of the limited field of view that makes the 3D content displayed to look unclear.
This is the main reason why Nokia embedded several cameras with the sole purpose of determining the user's movement and draw the 3D images according to viewing angle.
Furthermore, the 3D screen will also be able to display shadows of the objects on the second 2D display, which also features touch interface controls.
And as if this wasn't enough, the cameras are also supposed to determine the movements of the user's finger in relation to the manipulated 3D object.
Basically, we should just imagine Tom Cruise in Minority Report to have a clear picture of what Nokia has in mind.
However, Nokia is known for its prototypes and concept phones that never see the light of day.
This might be the case now as the patent was filed on October 14th, 2009 and published on April 21st, 2011.
The device is called 'Autostereoscopic Rendering and Display Apparatus', but we doubt it will keep its name if Nokia decides to embody it in the future.