Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:58 am Post subject: Mobile phone design turned upside down
Despite the huge variety of mobile phones on the market there is one design trend that has always remained the same - the screen has always been above the keypad.
According to Anthony Harrison, who has filed a patent for a phone with the screen below the keypad, conventional mobiles are not very easy to use.
Having the screen above the keypad offers users a clear view of the screen while texting but is awkward and results in the phone being held in your fingertips rather than in the palm of your hand. The thumb is restricted in movement and texting is slowed down.
The new design repositions the keypad above the screen and ensures that most of the handset rests in the palm of the hand for improved support and control.
As well as the improved grip, the thumb rests in a comfortable position directly above the buttons of the keypad. The improved angle for the thumb makes it unnecessary to shift the mobile phone around in the hand while typing text.
Whether people really need to be able to text faster is debatable but its always great to see innovation in mobile phone design.
