Fellow Trend Hunter Brian Randles first reported on the Sharp Touch Wood over a year ago when it was just a concept debuting at CEATEC 2009. Over a year has passed and now Sharp's unfortunately named phone is getting a limited release to the Japanese public.
The Sharp Touch Wood has a wooden backplate, a 5 megapixel camera, and a 3.4 inch screen that looks to be touch-friendly. There will be 15,000 units produced and made for Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo. Let the bad puns begin.
Curved Wood Phones
The Sharp Touch Wood is Ready to Be Released (UPDATE)
Trend Themes
1. Organic Material Phones - The use of organic materials in phone design provides a unique opportunity for the mobile device industry to create eco-friendly, natural, and distinctive products.
2. Curved Screen Technology - The use of curved screens in phone design allows for a more immersive and ergonomic experience for users, presenting an opportunity for screen manufacturers and phone designers to explore this technology further.
3. Limited Release Phones - The limited release of new phone models generates buzz and exclusivity, providing an opportunity for boutique phone manufacturers and luxury brands to create high-end, collectible mobile devices.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry can capitalize on the trend of using eco-friendly materials and introduce innovative smartphone designs.
2. Smartphone Manufacturing - Smartphone manufacturers can focus on improving screen technology by exploring the use of curved screens for a more immersive experience.
3. Luxury Goods - Luxury brands can create limited edition and exclusive phone models, targeting high-end consumers who are interested in collecting unique and specialized mobile devices.