Group Shot

Group shot courtesy of Ruotian and Adrian Dezen. Take outside the D building, just before we spotted the pizza.

Photos

Future of Mobiles Phones

Our perspectives on the future of mobile phones:

• An accurate GPS navigational system
  GPS is still a fairly uncharted area of mobile technology, especially due to the costs for the consumer. An accurate system would make a world of difference, and by merging the mobile towers with the satellite information, a more accurate position can be devised.
  
• Improved video and camera quality
  A simple and greatly worthwhile advancement will see that mobile phone camera and videos will be used more often, increasing the usability and desire to own a phone.
  
• "Universal Remote" capabilities
  Inferred is nearly uniform on all phones, adapting it to work with TV, DVD & Stereo remotes is already a possibility with PCs. Adapting it for the mobile realm would simply be software based.
  
• Headphone Jacks
  Proprietary headphones are awful, especially when they break or the ear-bugs are of a shocking quality. Headphone jacks will also allow music to be played from the phone to a speaker system, increasing the advantage of using the phone as a music player.
  
• Digital keypad that is context sensitive
  This is already appearing on PC keyboards, a touch sensitive keypad with changing icons depending on the current phones operation would help mainstream the user interface.
  
• International Dictionaries, Translates and Thesaurus
  A simple software update with much potential
  
• Java games that can connect with other phones\computers for multiplayer
  Java is already the format of choice for mobile gaming. Since most phones are now Blue-Tooth or IR enabled, multiplayer games are a natural step.
  
• Greater connectivity with computers - WiFi access
  WiFi is quickly becoming common in households. WiFi hot-spots such as McDonalds or the airport allow free internet access to customers. Mobile phones should be able to take advantage of that offering.
  
• Thumb-print security
  Most PDA's in the last few years have offered this. It should not replace the PIN, merely supplement it for faster logins.
  
• USB storage device that doesn't require proprietary software
  Phones should be universally accessible as a standard USB thumb-drive without the need of additional software. Proprietary cables can also be replaced with a USB port. Since USB ports are large, USB Mini-A or Mini-B ports can be used instead. They are about the same size as a headphone jack.
  
• Ability to connect to printers
  Canon & HP cameras can print straight to a printer, no reason why phones can't implement the same technology. WiFi, IR or USB access are all possibilities.
  
• Mobile phone that is easily accessible for the blind
  Audible menus and indent buttons.
  
• Waterproof - with underwater reception
  Not only in case of an accident, but people working in water environments would benefit from having a phone they can always have on them, whilst remaining stylish.
  
• Extremely shock proof
  Most phones can survive a beating, but a teenagers life can bring along some unexpected bumps that manufacturers may not expect. A sturdier case and reinforced screen would be very helpful.
  
• Integrated Yellow Pages, or White Pages
  Software that connects to a database offered by the provider. But without a service fee as this would defeat the point as you could just find the book instead.
  
• A history of movements, tracking device - the phone stores its movements so you can view where you've been
  Helpful for runners or joggers who want to track their runs, parents who want to keep an eye on their kids or the teenager who just wants to see how far he or she walked on a Saturday night.
  
• Flat Rate plans that allow infinite internet access without charging for usage
  Internet access is not an expensive thing. Providers should realize that its usage is heavily dependent on its costs. If people play a flat-rate instead of a usage scheme then they will attract a larger demographic of users.
  
• Backup battery for emergency calls
  Most phones allocate the remaining battery life for emergency calls, but sometimes a secondary device to hold a little charge would be most helpful.
  
• Network stored address book
  If you change SIM or phone then chances are you will lose your address book. The information should be synchronized with the provider so you can recover any lost addresses if the worst does happen to your phone.
  
• Speech to Text
  Helpful not only for the disabled, but those who want to write memos or SMS's but don't have the time to sit and type.
  
• Translucent case that can change colour
  More of a phone design than an advancement, but boy would it be cool.
  
• Direct connection to phone credit or plan usage and other bank account details
  Being able to see remaining credit on your plan or the amount left in your savings account would really help declare the mobile phone as a life organizer.
  
• Phone can be used as a debit card
  We are seeing more than just plastic cards as ways of storing credit information, phones are the next logical step. They even have
  
• Phone indication when another contact on your phone list is near
  Imagine you call someone to meet up, but its lunch time in the middle of the city and finding a person is nearly impossible. If your phone can communication its location and receive the location of the other persons phone, it would make meeting up hassle free.
• Standard support for internet browsing
  As designers and companies quickly begin to embrace "Web Standards", mobile phones are going the other way. Websites aren't designed for phones in mind, those that are only display well on some phones and not others. If phone manufacturers would support standards it would ease web development time and make the whole mobile-web experience easier.
  

As always, smaller, slimmer, bigger screen and more memory.