[source]

Whatever you say about finger-tap input on a mobile device, no one can deny that styluses are more efficient for scribbling words. Leaked documents from Apple suggest that pen-input is forthcoming on an Apple device. Perhaps this is on the iPhone and iPod Touch, perhaps on the iPhone 4G. Even more exciting, an Apple Tablet? The document shows a patent application for “ink information” recognition for a stylus-based computer. Is hand-writing recognition imminent on the iPhone, the iPhone 4G. Or is this new patent application in preparation for the iTablet? Whatever it is, I’m glad Apple is still going forward, not just on profits and market domination but in technology,expecially in hardware.

[via engadget]

The new multi-touch technology from Synaptics offers enough space for 10-finger touch control. The ClearPad 3000 has 8 inches of multi-touch screen space. In their demo sample, the ClearPad 3000 is usable enough for dual-player gaming mode. ClearPad 3000 right now is still too expensive to mass-produce but it won’t be too long before manufacturers can out the technology on store shelves.

Maybe we’ll see this in a Macbook Nano Touch.

[via pocket-lint]

If you think the current crop of netbooks and MIDs are the most compact mobile computers you’ll ever see this lifetime, you better think again. The CTD Dragonfly is a “crossfolding” MID which promises to bring portability and ease of use to a whole new level. What you’re looking at is just a mock up, but Edward Bullister, an MIT graduate with PhD, plans to make this a reality some day. Apart from its very intriguing design, he plans to use a Moorestown chip underneath the hood with Windows XP as its OS. Provided, of course, that when this finally goes it to production, XP is still around. Anyway, those two specs are the most realistic goals at the moment for this device. Bullister admits that the dual-sided LED displays will come at a later time, and we’re not too sure how he will achieve his goal of providing “all day” battery life much more incorporate it in the slim form factor of the Dragonfly. Nonetheless, despite being a little too ambitious, we like where he’s taking this. After all, every successful gadget in the market today had to start somewhere, and dreaming is a pretty good jump-off point.

[via engadget]
More pictures after the break.

Apart from 1080p video playback which we’ve seen (in video) in the past, this new Tegra also comes with GPU accelerated Adobe flash animation, video game play of up to 46fps, 3G, WiFi and WiMax support, always –on processors for instant access to network, and an astounding 25 days of music or 10 hours of HD playback on a single charge. The Nvidia Tegra is definitely light years ahead of Intel’s Atom processor. Unfortunately, it’s not readily available in the market as we speak, but you can expect the first batch of Tegra-based devices to drop before 2009 comes to a close with a very, very affordable price of $200 (even less after carrier subsidies).

On a similar note, to make things easier (or not) for the consumer, Nvidia has decided to call Tegra-based netbooks and tablets MIDs which has no relation to Intel’s handheld internet MID devices. One of the first Nvidia MIDs to be unveiled to the public is the Mobinnova elan. With such promising features, we’re certainly looking forward to more Nvidia MIDs in the not-so-distant future.

[via engadget]

What you’re looking at folks is a video of the NanoTouch screen demonstrating its gaming prowess. Developed by Microsoft and the Hasso Plattner Institute, the NanoTouch display used here is a small 2.4-inch LCD that features a capacitive sensitive touchscreen at the back as opposed to the front. This makes for an ideal interface for small portable gaming devices as it provides users with a convenient set of controls that won’t hamper their view of the game on the tiny display. We’re still not quite sure which products will feature this NanoTouch display in the near future, but with its immense potential for gaming, we’re pretty certain that there will be some takers for this new technology.

[via engadget]

The companies which will be supporting this new standard will also be announced on April 21st. This is definitely something we’re excited about, and hopefully, the major players in the industry such as Apple, Nokia and Samsung have already signed up for this technology. Stay tuned folks, this is going to be a good one!

[moconews via engadget]

“From their previous victory in the case with Synaptics, I think they should be quite confident,” she said, referring to Elan. “Elan believes they have a unique edge with this patent, and they want to send a signal to the market” and set an example for others.

If you take a look at how eFinger Transparent Touchpad works, on Android this time, it might actually make you think twice next time you get the urge to call the iPhone the multitouch king.

[via engadget]

Ultraportable laptops seem to be outpacing the smartphone market these days. This is bad news for Nokia, the world’s biggest mobile phone manufacturer, but a solution may not be long. Fabien Nauroy’s E97 concept phone is a hi-tech gadget that takes it design inspiration from the lowly envelop. It’s an extremely sleek industrial design with two OLED screens, one of which is detachable, apparently, so data can be shared by two people across the table. The technology to fulfill such a design shouldn’t be too far off. Consumer may be able to enjoy a seamless marriage of ubiquitous technology and ultraportability.

[source via electricpig]

If you really can’t get over the old cassette tape, you could go for one of these once it gets manufactured. The design is called the NVDRS Tape by Stefano Pertegato, Massimiliano Rampoldi, Eloisa Tolu, Francesco Schiraldi & Giovanni Mendini. The MP3 player is powered by your fingers… Yep through one of the spools, while goinf from one track to the other requires one to finger the other spool. It’s also equipped with a USB and built-in indicator lights.

The designers really wanted a more meaningful experience when a user listens to the NVRDS Tape, which means small memory and it’s not possible to skip a song. Like the old tapes, you have to fast forward.

[yanko]