Nokia's haptic tattoo patent application may seem like the stuff of science fiction. However, "when you consider the nanobiology and synthetic biology applications, the possibilities of having a fully functional local device attached to the body becomes very likely," said James Canton, CEO of the Institute for Global Futures. "With this convergence, you start to see a new technology platform, one that could make mobile phones of today seem like a very minor story."

Another possibility goes beyond communications to the world of entertainment, which could become all the more interactive.

"When considering its application, one must think about entertainment as well as telecommunications," said Josh Crandall of NetPop Research. "I can imagine this type of technology being used for tactile response from games, in particular. Perhaps it would spawn a new category for computer 'shock' games."

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