The shape of things to come update from February 2008

Nokia gave the industry a glimpse of the future when it unveiled a shape changing mobile devices concept based on nanotechnology.

Morph, a joint nanotechnology concept developed by Nokia Research Center and the University of Cambridge, has gone on display as part of the “Design and the Elastic Mind” exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The concept demonstrates how future mobile devices might be stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform the gadget into radically different shapes. Nanotechnology would enable the ultimate functionality delivering flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces.

Nokia said that elements of Morph might be integrated into handheld devices within seven years, though initially only at the high end. In the future however, the Finnish firm sees nanotechnology as one day leading to low cost manufacturing and the potential to integrate complex functionality at a low price.

Check out the video from Nokia below: