MyOrigo builds motion sensitive phone

MyOrigo has unveiled what is said to be first motion-controlled smartphone on market, which will be on sale in the UK this autumn.

The phone, called mydevice, is powered by Tao Group's multi-media software platform "Intent" and makes use of motion-controlled and touch-sensitive technologies. Intent allows the device access to multimedia features such as audio, video, media plug-ins and Java technology.

While carrying out capabilities already on offer in the mobile phone market, such as multi-network support, texting, Web browsing, e-mail, document reader, VGA camera and an MP3 player, MyOrigo and Tao outline what they describe as mydevice's four main differentiators. These are: motion control, my book user interface, mirroring and haptic touch and feel sensitive functions.

The handset is dominated by a 176mm X 320mm colour display screen that adjusts to the users' hand movements to allow for tilting, scrolling and zooming. The screen will also adjust between a landscape and portrait view according to the content.

With the book user function, users can move through documents and windows by moving their finger forward and backwards across the screen, as though leafing through pages. The device can download full Web pages, however the sites can't be viewed in full on mydevice's screen. To compensate, the devices' screen functions like a mirror, so, for example, to see the top left corner of a page, you tilt the phone in that direction.

Haptic touch and feel sensitive responds as users touch, like touching a real key. Mydevice is finger operated, not with a stylus, and has a full QWERTY keyboard for texting or e-mailing.

"Through the revolutionary advances from MyOrigo and Tao, network operators can deliver the calibre of services required to attract the size of user base needed to generate revenue and grow the operator's brand," said Francis Charig, chairman and chief executive of Tao Group.

Mydevice is to enter the UK market in the autumn and will enter others subsequently. MyOrigo has not set a price for the handset.

Spanish operator Telefonica, with whom MyOrigo already has strong links, has expressed considerable interest in the device, according to MyOrigo. The Finnish company expects to make announcements in other European territories in the coming months.

Established in 2000, MyOrigo works closely with Microcell, a player in the mobile communications device ODM market. The company is based in Finland and has offices in London. For more information visit the MyOrigo Web site.

© ENN