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Nokia has openly stated that it is in the process of bringing touchscreen to the S60 interface so all that remains is to see what devices it believes will best implement it.

We get another clue today via a sharp spot from UnWired, which has found this newly filed patent from those industrious Finns.

Helpfully, Nokia gives the game away too with its submission summary:

"A foldable electronic apparatus comprising first and second parts being arranged to be foldable with respect to each other about a folding axis to define first and second apparatus folding configurations, wherein the first and second parts comprise respective first and second displays, wherein the device is arranged to have respective first and second operating modes according to whether the apparatus is in the first configuration or the second configuration, and wherein, in the first operating mode, the first display is arranged to act as a user input, and in the second operating mode, the first and second displays are arranged to act as displays."

Furthermore, while I could be tempted to dismiss this latest patent as yet another OTT prototype, rivals like LG are already known to be treading a very similar path. Beyond this, it simply makes practical sense since touchscreen offers a completely fluid UI - even perennial technology donkey Motorola can see that.

Sadly attempting to place real world dates on this would be foolhardy. That said, given I have no problem looking a fool (and don't call me Hardy) I feel confident with all the manufacturer competition saying a Q3/Q4 2008 launch for similar designs is more than likely. Which should be just in time for iPhone v2.0. Gosh 2008 is going to be fun... ;)

Link:
Patent

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