Scientists in Europe have developed prototype devices that could drastically change the way we interact with our smartphones and tablets. The six working prototypes, known as "Morphees," are thin, electronic displays capable of automatically changing shape to perform certain functions. Researchers say that if brought to market, the devices could usher in a new era in mobile computing, breaking down the physical barriers that have traditionally defined smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.
Project leader Anne Roudaut, a researcher at the University of Bristol in the UK, outlined her team's developments in a paper published this week for the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM). One design transforms a smartphone into the shape...