'Emotional' Phones Simulate Hand-Holding, Breathing, and Kissing: Creepy or Cool?

The next generation of phones may bring an entirely new meaning to the phrase "keeping in touch."

Fabian Hemmert, a designer at the Berlin University of the Arts, has created prototypes of phones that can recreate the physical sensations of breathing, hand-holding, and kissing.

The "hand-holding" phone includes force sensors and a strap that goes around a hand. When a friend grips their own phone, the strap will tighten, simulating a squeeze.

Similarly, the "breathing" phone detects air movements on one phone and sends a corresponding jet of air out of the other.

The "kissing" phone uses a moisture sensor on the kisser's phone and a "wet sponge pushing against a membrane" on the receiver's phone. According to Hemmert, the sensor can differentiate between a peck on the cheeck and a sloppy smooch and will move the wet sponge accordingly.

Hemmert admits that the idea of "sensory" phones can sound pretty weird at first. Ultimately, however, he is interested in sparking debate about how to make telecommunications more emotional.

"You get the question that arises: Do we want that?" he said. "How much nearness do we want?"

What do you think? Is the possibility of "emotional" phones simulating hand-holding, breathing, and kissing creepy or cool?