Neonode N2 One-handed Cellular Phone
Every once in a while, you have to give a company points for originality. My shout out today goes to Neonode, and their N2 touchscreen phone. Sure, the idea of a cellular phone with touchscreen interface isn’t exactly new, but the Neonode N2 certainly puts a great twist on that with a touchscreen interface phone that can be used with one hand.
Why is that? Because the Neonode N2 fits in the palm of your hand. Not only is it a complete touch interface, but you will feel it. One of many complaints about the iPhone is the touch screen has no “tactile feedback”. In other words, a user touches the screen, only to find that something happens without anything being felt on the fingers. However, the Neonode N2 has tactile feedback in spades as a user feels a definite vibration. I can only guess it is the same vibro-technology used in the LG Voyager.
The touchscreen is fitted with an array of infrared lasers called Z-force that reacts to the taps and sweeping movements of your thumb. Apparently, your thumb is the only part of your hand needed to operate this thing.
You can then access operations using the system known as Neno. The Neonode N2 will show what sweeping movements you can do in order to unlock whatever operations you need. Apparently, the whole of the controls is with the sweeps, which is why the Neonode N2’s tagline is “all you need is your intuition”. That is one big boast, as there are many electronic devices that promise some instinct-based controls that serve only to reprogram us until it becomes second nature.
And, of course, what good is a phone if it doesn’t have multimedia functions? Well, ten years ago, the answer to that would have been “normal”. However, in this age, it has to be able to play music and movies. Fortunately, the Neonode N2 has all of that covered. In fact, it even has a camera, which must be incredibly tiny in order to work. I have no idea how they do that one.
The Neonode N2 is also designed to connect right to the computer so you can be connected with Outlook and other functions. All content is stored on a miniSD card that is within the apparatus itself.
Neonode N2 is not quite available in the United States as yet, but there is a predicted American launch sometime in the second quarter of 2008. As for the price, I have heard it might be a little expensive at $606.