Nokia and the University of Cambridge jointly designed a concept mobile phone that allows users to mould the handset into different shapes.

Nokia's Morph: formed from shape-altering substances

Dubbed Morph, the handset has been designed to demonstrate the possible future benefits of nanotechnology for mobile devices. Morph is both stretchable and flexible, but a Nokia spokesman claimed that nanotechnology could also allow future mobile phones to incorporate self-cleaning surfaces and see-through electronics.

On-the-fly interface adaptation

Although very little has been said about the Morph’s technical capabilities, pictures show how, in theory, the handset’s able to alter its state between a watch-like mode, a credit-card shape and a traditional mobile phone. No dimensions are given, but the Morph appears to be extremely thin no-matter what state it’s in.

Related stories

• Thumb-ring accessory points to handset harmony?
• Pay lip service to loved ones with the KissPhone
• Mobile phone sales under threat in 2008
• Nokia unveils network-tied handset pair
• Nokia parades recycled handset
• Nokia preps 'pedestrian's pal' navigator phone
• Nokia unveils the N96 and N78
• Nokia's N95 successor slips out on web
• Nokia pledges eco-friendly AC adaptors

The project, which has been roughly one year in the making, doesn’t mean the Morph will be on shelves anytime soon though. Nokia admitted that it could be seven years before elements of the Morph will be available for integration into other off-the-shelf phones.

However, the Finnish mobile phone giant claimed that, eventually, nanotechnology could help reduce manufacturing costs and introduce complex features at lower prices.

One day, all mobile phones will be made this way. Apparently.

More comments…