Borg-like patent of the day

Not content with making smartphones that simply vibrate, Nokia is looking at tattoos with magnetic ink to alert you to incoming phone calls.

Discovered by Unwired View, Nokia’s Haptic Communication patent describes an electronic device, probably your smartphone, that generates a magnetic field that stimulates ferromagnetic ink that’s been stamped, tattooed, or taped to skin. The ink’s reaction creates perceivable stimuli that responds to digital content on the smartphone.

Translation: Notifications on a smartphone will trigger a vibration in the magnetic ink attached to your body. A text could trigger a specific vibration pattern, while a voicemail could trigger another…

While the patent frequently uses the term tattoo, it’s unlikely most Nokia users would get inked just so their latest Nokia smartphone could announce the arrival of a text message…

OTOH, I can think of gamers and nerds who would love this sort of intimate communications.

And speaking of intimate communications, I would think that picking the perfect spot on your body for a vibrating tattoo could make long dull meetings tolerable. If you don’t fall off your chair.

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