Hardware Innovations

Application performance, or at least perceived application performance, can be
improved by exploiting additional information available from new hardware components
in the handset, for example, adding a digital compass to a handset so the handset
software knows which direction it is pointing in. Microsoft Research has also proposed
adding in a linear accelerometer and proximity sensing, (using the existing infrared
devices already embedded in the handset, and user touch detection–capacitive sensing).
The software can therefore turn the device on when it is moved, as follows:
 Moving the phone toward your head enables the phone facilities.
 Putting it flat on the desk enables the keyboard and speakerphone facilities.
 Turning the device 90° when vertical switches the display from portrait to
landscape.
 Moving closer to the device zooms the screen font.
 Walking along with the device in your pocket would mean the vibration alert
would be turned on.
Microsoft is also proposing a 360° Web cam (or RingCam) for conference meetings.
The general principle is that all this then synchronizes seamlessly with your desktopbased
applications.