These mobile interface innovations range from customizable smartphone concepts to e-commerce keyboard tools. In addition to a number of budget phones that run on alternative operating systems -- Plasma Mobile's interface is customizable and Linux-based while Jolla's features a Sailfish operating system -- other standouts include apps that enhance communication and creativity.
Other examples of notable mobile interfaces include cancer-detecting smartphone sensors and even light installations that will change their shape and brightness according to specific smartphone commands.
Additional standouts like digital honeycomb keyboards and mobile-connected touchscreen tables are changing the way smartphone users communicate or present ideas within an academic or corporate settings, while interactive tablet toys let kids experience a fusion of physical and virtual play.
33 Mobile Interface Innovations
From Customizable Smartphone Concepts to E-Commerce Keyboard Tools:
Jana Pijak — Dec 21, 2016 — Tech

33
Physical Touchscreen Toys
The 'Pocket Racing 2.0' Racing Cars React to the On-Screen Action

32
Bioluminescent Light Installations
'Light Pollination' is on Display at the London Design Festival
31
DIY In-Car Touchscreen PCs
The 'Carputer' Car Entertainment System Packs Computer Functionality
30
Battery-Boosted Phones
This LG Mid-Range Phone Offers Exceptional Battery Life
29
Mobile OS Desktops
The AOC AIC All-in-One Computer System Runs Remix OS
28
Standalone Graphics Tablets
The MobileStudio Pro Tablets are Designed For Creative Projects
27
Durable Budget Phones
The Blackview A8 Max Offers Great Features Considering Its $80 Price
26
Customizable Smartphone Concepts
The 'SVPER' Concept Smartphone Features a Bevy Of Nifty Perks
25
Pared-Down Cell Phones
The 'Nokia 216' is a So-Called "Dumb Phone" with Smart Benefits
24
Fishy Finnish Smartphones
This New Jolla Smartphone Features the Sailfish Operating System
23
Digital Honeycomb Keyboards
The WRIO Expand the Surface Area of Phone Keys for Easier Typing
22
Powerful Flagship Smartphones
The New Xiaomi Phone Features a One-Of-A-Kind Operating System
21
Cancer-Spotting Smartphone Sensors
This Inexpensive Sensor Can Detect Biological Markers Of Cancer
20
Compelling Phablet Phones
The ZTE Zmax Pro Offers Incredible Features At a Low Price
19
Supercomputer Vehicle Interfaces
GM's 'OnStar Go' System will Incorporate IBM's Watson
18
Photo-Cleaning Platforms
The Cleanz App Lets Consumers Efficiently Remove Unwanted Mobile Images
17
Fingerprint-Accessed Mobile Interfaces
Android 6.0 Marshmallow Uses Fingertip Authentication
16
Car Console Touchpad Interfaces
The Acura Precision Cockpit Car Controls Merge Functionalities
15
Modern Family Phones
Ily by Insensi is a Communication Device for Long-Distance Relationships
14
Intuitive Touch-Sensing Software
'TouchTools' Lets Users Summon Touchscreen Tools Through Gestures
13
Object-Recognizing Impairment Aids
iDentifi Audibly Describes Objects for Visually Impaired People
12
Offline-Only Smartphones
The Xiaomi Redmi 3S Plus is Available In Indian Stores Only
11
Touchscreen Mirrors
This Unnamed Mirror Has Many of the Same Functions as a Smartphone
10
Modular Mobile Operating Systems
The Cyanogen Modular OS Program Lets Brands License Features
9
Convergent Mobile Platforms
The Plasma Mobile Operating System is Inspired By a Desktop Platform
8
Pioneering Camera Phones
LG's V20 Smartphone Will Be the First to Boast the Android Nougat System
7
Multilingual Smart Keyboards
Microsoft SwiftKey Uses Neural Networks to Function in Many Languages
6
One-Handed Smartphone Keyboards
Google Keyboard for Android Now Features a One-Handed Keyboard
5
Fingerprint-Sensing Budget Phones
The Oukitel K7000 Offers Security and Convenience For Less
4
Dual Operating System Phones
A New Samsung Patent Could Run Android and Windows Simultaneously
3
Darkened Social Media Interfaces
Twitter's 'Night Mode' is Easy on the Eyes and Saves Battery Life
2
Smart Touchscreen Payment Terminals
The Smart Terminal Offers a Slim Unit to Accept Payment
1
Trailblazing Touchscreen Tables
'La Table Kineti' Blends Touchscreen Technology and Furniture
Related Ideas
Cancer-Detection Apps
The Dermofit App Assists Early Stage Skin Cancer Detection Efforts
User-Friendly Programming Kits
This 'Starter Kit' Offers an Introduction to Raspberry Pi
360-Degree Smartphone Cameras
The Insta360 Nano Extension Turns Mobiles into Adventure Cameras
IoT Hydroponic Systems
'Gro.io' is a Fully Automated Hydroponic Garden System
Ultra-Efficient Toothbrushes
GlareSmile Claims to be the First Automatic Toothbrush
High-Tech Beauty Bars
The Skinfood Concept Shop Features Tech-Integrated Displays
Interactive Dog Bones
The Gobone is Designed to Play with Pets When Its Owners are Away
DIY Wooden Cameras
These Cameras Fuse Modern and Vintage Design Elements
Fire-Powered Smartphone Chargers
JikoPower Uses Fire Power to Charge the Smartphones of Kenyans
Transparent Dashboard Displays
'Hudly' is an Aftermarket Device That Adds Tech to Any Vehicle
Shape-Shifting Laptop Tablets
The Lenovo Yoga Book Tablet Computer Combines Multiple Devices
Inexpensive Upgradeable Laptops
The HackBook Elite is an Affordable Laptop that Runs Mac OS X
Artistic Camera Filters
The Prisma App Converts Images Into Dynamic Famous Paintings
DIY Home Spy Cameras
This DIY Raspberry Pi SpyCam Can be Remotely Controlled via Smartphone
Foldable Flip Smartphones
The Oppo Concept Flip Phone Revives the Former Design With Modern Tech
Chic Chinese Smartphones
The UMi Plus Extreme Offers Premium Features and Designs
Curvaceous Chinese Smartphones
Huawei's New Mid-Range Phone Offers a Curved Back and Quality Specs
Flexible Bracelet Smartphones
Chinese Company Moxi Group Will Sell the First Bendable Smartphone
Radio Wave Phone Charging
Radient Micro-Tech Uses RF Waves for Truly Wireless Phone Charging
Curved-Screen Smartphones
Blu's New Android Phone Offers 3D Touch Functionality
Battery-Boosted Phones
This LG Mid-Range Phone Offers Exceptional Battery Life
Touchscreen Keyboard Peripherals
This Conceptual Apple Magic Keyboard Features an OLED Display
Aluminum Braille Timepieces
The 'Dot Watch' is a Light Watch That Tells Time Through Touch
Driverless Rideshare Fleets
Cars from Uber's ATC are Launching in Pittsburg
Deal-Finding Finance Apps
The 'Squeeze' Budget App Analyzes Spending to Find Deals
Dual-Screen Smartphones
The LUNARK Offers a Hinged Two-Screen Design for Maximum Usage
Programmable Smart Buttons
The 'TiBe Connect' Buttons Can be Customized to do a Bevy of Tasks
Waterproof Workout Waist Bags
The 'FRiEQ' Race Belt Keeps Cards, Cash and Phones Secure
Electric Vehicle Driver's Licenses
Renault's Subsidized Driver's Licenses Encourage Eco Transport
Budget Chinese Smartphones
Huawei's Latest Budget Phone Offers Surprisingly Strong Video-Recording
Interactive Doll Retailers
The American Girl New York Shop is Dubbed "The Store of the Future"
Immersive Audio Installations
At Field Day, H&M is Engaging Fans with Music, Art and Interactivity
Virtual Vehicle Dashboards
Rightware is Designing Interactive Navigational Displays for Drivers
Social Livestreaming Platforms
Ingkee is a Chinese Livestreaming App with 50 Million Users
Flexible Smartphone Screens
The Galaxy X Cellular Will Feature a Fully Pliable Exterior
User-Friendly Diet Apps
This Weight Loss App Counts Calories with a Simple Interface
Detailed Dashboard Cameras
The Waylens Horizon Adds Statistical Information to Dashcam Footage
E-Commerce Recommendation Platforms
Shopping Opinion Platform Askourt Enhances Customer Experience
Durable Budget Phones
The Blackview A8 Max Offers Great Features Considering Its $80 Price
Directional GPS Sunglasses
These Glasses Feature a GPS Function to Aid the Visually Impaired
Extra Secure Smartphones
Gionee's Phones Feature Encryption Chips to Protect Personal Information
Skin Health Smartphone Accessories
The 'DermLite' Smart Skin Scanner Tracks Skin Health
Inexpensive USB Hacking Devices
PoisonTap Uses a Raspberry Pi to Hack Computers in Just 30 Seconds
Tech-Free Teahouses
The Camellia Sinensis Teahouse is Free from Cellphones and WiFi
Supremely Slim Smartphones
The Axon 7 Phone Offers Big Features In a Skinny Package
Tactile Graphic Novels
This Comic Book Artist Created Tactile Graphics for the Visually Impaired
Branded Social Media Stickers
Twitter's 'Promoted #Stickers' Include Brands like Pepsi
Last-Minute Accommodation Apps
'Overnight' Helps People Find Places to Crash In At Short Notice
Fuel-Saving Dashboard Devices
The 'Kiwi' OBD Device Provides Data Logging, Fuel Savings and More
Television PC Sticks
The Meegopad A02 Mini PC Stick Runs the Remix OS
Tiny Arcade Consoles
Adafruit Built the World's Smallest Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator
Attachable Module Smartphones
The Galaxy S8 Concept Features Plugin Parts to Customize the Device
Escapist VR Experiences
This Program Uses Immersive Virtual Reality to Lift Cancer Patients' Moods
VR-Ready Smartphones
Alcatel's Virtual Reality Phone Offers a Futuristic Smartphone Experience
Security-Centric Smartphones
This Secure Smartphone Has a Print Sensor & Secure Operating System
3D-Printed Campus Maps
This Tactile Braille College Map Was Designed for the Visually Impaired
Mindfulness Coaching Apps
Mazlo Offers Personalized Learning with Text Message Coaching Sessions
Arboreal Light Installations
The Leafy Installation Consists Of a 1500-Leaf Canopy
IoT Operating Systems
This Open-Source Operating System is Designed By Google
Website Visitor-Converting Services
'ActiveConvert' Helps Convert Visitors into Sales and Leads
Giant Smartphone Billboards
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Billboard Takes Over an Entire Building
AI Travel Apps
The 'Radar' App from Yahoo Makes Smart Travel Recommendations
Wearable Cloud Computing Systems
This Leather Jacket is Equipped With 10 Raspberry Pi Computers
Safety-Inspired Phone Features
Mobile Panic Buttons are Set to Become Mandatory in India
Charitable Virtual Gardens
Cancer Research UK Celebrates Its Supporters with a VR Flower Garden
Driver-Analyzing Safety Rings
The 'STOPSLEEP' Anti-Sleep Alarm Measures Drowsiness for Safety
Indestructible Music Players
The Astell & Kern AK JR Portable Audio Device Has an Aluminum Build
Charitable Athlete-Inspired Headphones
AfterShokz Looks to Raise Breast & Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Distracted Pedestrian-Warning Apps
The 'Look Up' App Warns Pedestrians Of Upcoming Intersections
Modular Smartphone Protectors
The Otterbox Universal Case System Can be Used with Peripherals
Cash-Conscious Messenger Bots
Chat with Monty Frugal Through Facebook Messenger to Track Expenses
Affordable Touchscreen Chromebooks
The HP 11 G5 Offers a Cost-Effective Laptop to Access Apps On
Autonomous Beer Delivery Trucks
Otto Big Rigs Have Successfully Transported Shipments of Budweiser
Wireless Car Information Devices
The 'Automatic' Connected Car Adapter Allows Access to Car Data
Supercomputer Vehicle Interfaces
GM's 'OnStar Go' System will Incorporate IBM's Watson
Distinguished Deluxe Smartphones
The Zenfone 3 Deluxe Offers Classy Aesthetics & Top Performance
Sleek Ultra-Secure Smartphones
The Sirin 'SOLARIN' Smartphone Protects Against Cyber Attacks
3D-Printed Jaw Prosthetics
This Doctor Created a Lightweight 3D Prosthetic for a Cancer Survivor
Tracking Pet Health Collars
The Tracy Tracker is a Canine Wearable that Monitor a Dog's Well-Being
Multimedia-Minded Tablets
This New Android Tablet Caters to Photo and Video Enthusiasts
Branded T-Shirt Challenges
Oasis Promises Rewards to a Fan Who Wears a Promotional Tee for a Month
Voice-Activated Security Apps
This Hands-Free Security App is Designed to Hear a Woman's Scream
Illuminating Lightning Cables
The Magicharge Smartphone Cords Lights Up to Show It Is Charging
Palm-Sized Retro Consoles
This DIY SNES Console was Created by YouTuber lyberty5
Circular Smart Home PCs
The 'FIXO' Smart Computer Disc Provides Support with Palpable Information
Retail Payment Apps
The Kohl's Pay App Consolidates Payment Details, Rewards and Discounts
Sleek High-End Smartphones
Huawei's 'Honor 8' Will Compete with the Top Smartphones
Personalized Car Rental Apps
The 'Carla' Car Rental Service Makes Unique Recommendations
Search Engine Smartphones
The Google Pixel Smartphone Features Innovative Hardware and Software
Vehicular Social Messenger Apps
Android Auto Now Supports Facebook Chats for Drivers
Photo-Scanning Apps
The Photomyne App Lets Users Scan Multiple Photos as Once
Multi-Room Audio Systems
The SonosPi Audio System is Powered By a Raspberry Pi Mini PC
Professional Networking Videos
Users Can Now Record Themselves on LinkedIn Video
Rainbow-Reporting Apps
This Rainbow App Helps Russians Marvel At Nature and Support LGBT Rights
One-Touch Contact Apps
'Drupe' Collects All of a Friend's Social Contacts in One Place
Digitized Retail Directories
Moscow's Central Children's Store Boasts Connected Product Displays
Virtual Tumor-Destruction Apps
The Tumour Takedown App Shows You How Cancer Treatments Work
Connected Car Mechanics
The Hum By Verizon Offers Digital and Data-Tracking Auto Servicing
Unlimited Comic Subscriptions
The Comixology Service Allows Digital Access to a Comic Book Library
Offline-Only Smartphones
The Xiaomi Redmi 3S Plus is Available In Indian Stores Only
Rollback Retail Platforms
The Walmart Canada App Connects Consumers to Automatic Savings
Plant-Based Explosive Detectors
MIT Researchers are Using Spinach to Find Dangerous Explosives
Blossoming Donation Stations
NFC Wristbands Scanned at This Terminal Activate a Floral Animation
Pocket-Sized Personal Seismographs
The 'Raspberry Shake' Measures Seismic Activity at Home
Contextual Smartphone Dials
The O6 Rotary Dial Lets Consumers Check Their Devices Without Looking
Resonating Light Installations
'Forest of Resonating Lamps' Responds to People Moving Through It
Gesture-Control Car Dashboards
Visteon Gesture-Control Technology Enhances the in-Car Experience
Affordable Octa-Core Smartphones
This Huawei Smartphone Offers Top-Notch Features At a Low Price
Recycled Smartphone Fire Alarms
The Smokey App Turns Old Androids Into Smart Smoke Detectors
Senior-Centric Ride Services
UberCentral is Targeted Towards Seniors Without Smartphones
Comprehensive Chinese Smartphones
This OnePlus Smartphone Features Expansive Storage Capabilities
Engaging Celebrity Social Media
'Engage' by Twitter Lets Famous Individuals Better Connect to Fans
Selfie-Focused Social Feeds
Facebook's New Feed Features an Olympic-Themed Camera as its Focus
Prank Message Apps
The Phoneys App Lets iOS Users Put Text in Their Friends' Writing
Dramatic History Apps
This Czech App Brings History to Life In a Striking Manner
DIY Fashion Design Kiosks
American Girl's Truly Me Signature Studio Lets Users Customize Dolls
Monitoring Perspiration Patches
The Chem-Phys Tracks Health Through Chemicals Found in Sweat
Streamlined Retail Apps
The Bizom App Helps Retailers Deal With Suppliers and Distributors Online
Educational Tourism Apps
The Visit New Jersey App Aims to Boost Tourism Numbers
Donor Registry Campaigns
'Be The Match' is Using Snapchat to Try to Register New Donors
Olympic Emoji Languages
SKINS Designed 'Esportanto' as a Universal Language for Sports Fans
Dual-Boot Tablets
The Chuwi V10 Plus Tablet Can Run Windows and Android Operating Systems
Multilingual Texting Apps
The FirstVoices Chat App Lets You Text In Indigenous American Languages
Curved Compact Smartphones
This Acer Smartphone is Available In Unlocked Configuration
Upgraded Budget Smartphones
Lenovo's New Moto G Phones Offer Top-Notch Features For Low Cost
Phone-Shaped Water Games
The Shape of 'Water Fun' Puts a New Spin on Classic Water Toys
Flexible Rideshare Services
The HolyCab Startup Helps Nigerians Earn Money For Offering Rides
Multi-Device Streaming Apps
The Plex App Optimizes Multimedia Streaming Across Devices
Recycled Fluorescent Light Installations
'Foam Cloud' is a Museum Installation with Zero Budget
Social Media Abuse-Reporting Systems
Periscope Sets Out to Deal with Trolls on Its Platform
Voice-Activated Keyboard Apps
The TalkType App Uses Vocal Inputs to Generate Text
Expansive Budget Smartphones
The New Wileyfox Phones
Social Verification Expansions
Twitter Verification is Now Possible for Any Public User