Phones of the Future

Enter Fluid, a device concept by Brazilian designer Dinard da Mata. This smartwatch/smartphone reminds us of a slap bracelet from the 1990s. But with a flexible touchscreen, the gadget would certainly serve as more than just a hip fashion statement. There is also Paddle.Think of Paddle as the sort of Rubik’s Cube of smartphone designs. Created by a group at Hasselt University in Belgium, the project imagines a device without a distinctive shape, a “highly deformable” smartphone that can also take the form of a tablet, a ring, or other offbeat shapes. The physical design of this iPhone 6 concept may appear familiar, but the function is pretty far out there. Developed by SET Solution, this proposed version of Apple’s smartphone would pack projectors, providing for essentially three touchscreens when the device is placed on a table surface, as well as some really cool (and slightly unbelievable) 3D interaction with the main screen. People that are invested in software development also have a stake in the new phones that are being developed because the new medium and technology on which to development the business applications and mobile applications.

Get Up From That Chair!

New research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health reports that prolonged sitting puts people over 60 at a risk for disabilities. Elderly adults in this age group spend on average two-thirds of their days sedentary, which equates to about nine hours a day. The link between age and disability held even when researchers controlled for obesity, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and other health factors. The risks include being overweight, increased risk of heart attack, and just overall worse health. As a web developer, it might be hard to find time to get up and move. There are plenty of desks that enable you to stand and even exercise while you are working in the office or your home. With these types of studies constantly coming out, it might be time to consider all that sitting around we do either on the computer or using phone services. After you finish reading this post, please stand up.