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Nokia asks consumers to contribute ideas for new internet handsets.

A predictable mega-trend this year is the booming of the mobile internet, which will see more of us online for longer while on the move. Nokia responded to this trend in China by launching its Design My Internet Life competition last December, aiming to attract a slew of original designs for internet-accessible handsets. The competition had attracted more than 200 participants by the time it closed recently. The winning designs will be announced this month (April).

The submitted design works feature the convergence of cellphones with music players, GPS, television, personal computers, and handheld game players. For example, a college student worked out a “folding” solution to the inconvenient small screens of cell phones. When the phone is folded, it functions like any ordinary mobile handset with a medium-sized screen; unfolded, the screen doubles its size for convenient internet surfing. Another design combines Nokia functionality with the stylish elements of Apple’s iPod.

For the original post and other China-based trends please visit our CScout China blog.