Researchers in the US are also working on a shape-shifting device that uses magnets to mimic molecules that fold themselves into complex shapes.

BBC: Future tech: Smart fabrics and other forecasts

Trend 1: A shifting device mix.

FORBES: The Data Explosion and the Networked Enterprise

"It's clear we're shifting to a multi-device world and that creates a lot of pain points, " says Karl Mattson, vice president and general manager of Maxthon, which has about 220 employees.

WSJ: Web Browsers Are Reinvented

Such is the importance of software on mobile devices these days, that for the Lumia 800 and future Windows devices from Nokia to regain some semblance of dominance, other competing device makers like HTC and Samsung need to start shifting more phones that run on Windows.

FORBES: Can Nokia's New Lumia Compete With The iPhone 4S?

Samsung is about shifting as many boxes as possible, and if that means having every combination of device available online to buy, then so be it.

FORBES: The 8 inch Galaxy Note Is A Product Of Samsung's Unimaginative Approach

The cable cos obviously see the benefits to using a wireless device to expand the functionality of their home services (think: place-shifting DVR content to your phone, unlimited calls between home phones and cellphones, etc.), and don't even get us started on what happens when you start talking WiMax, which is another thing briefly touched upon in the release.

ENGADGET: Sprint Nextel now also together with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, and Advance/Newhouse