Nokia files a patent for a magnetic tattoo that could sync with your phone, giving a whole new meaning to keeping in touch. WXIN explains…

“The tattoo would be imprinted on your skin. It would then vibrate when you receive a call…the patent isn’t specific as to whether the ink has to be permanent or not.”

The tattoo can feature any design and can go anywhere on your body. You can even customize the physical response depending on who’s calling, if you have an upcoming appointment, or if your battery is running low. You could also get different tattoos for different people. Media are having fun with the possibilities.

A writer for the Australian Financial Review writes…

JOHN DAVIDSON: “A tattoo on your ear could be reserved for people who talk a lot. A tattoo on your foot could itch when your travel agent called. One on your palms could tingle when your bank manager called.”

And an analyst for Discovery News thinks the patent has a nice ring to it.

NIC HALVERSON: “While the vibrating ink idea is certainly not the dumbest scheme to come out of the tattoo world, at least it could eliminate all those awful ring tones.”

While an opinion writer for the LA Times envisions the future.

PAUL WHITEFIELD: “The whole family stops at the smart phone store, then troops next door to the tattoo parlor for customized ‘tattoo ringtones.’ Or more likely, the tattoo artist will be right there in the smart phone store. Heck, maybe it’ll even be a robot tattoo artist.”

But a writer for ITworld thinks these tattoo ringtones would just get under his skin — in more ways than one.

CHRIS NERNEY: “Isn’t the tingly feeling you get when your phone vibrates in your pocket enough for Nokia?…If this technology catches on, the first super villain to invent a portable, powerful magnet will have a field day.”

Can’t get used to the idea? An analyst for IHS Screen Digest says you’ll get a few years for it to sink in.

IAN FOGG: “This is still two steps ahead of practical and personal applications. But looking back, 20 years ago a Bluetooth headset would have been very difficult to sell — and very few people would have said they would ever use it. Gradually, all sorts of these devices became acceptable.”

If you don’t like the idea of permanently setting your arm on vibrate, Nokia’s patent offers less invasive methods. The device could potentially be stamped, sprayed, attached with adhesive tape or even drawn on.

Transcript by Newsy.

(Image source: newsy video)

Sources: Australian Financial Review Discovery News LA Times ITworld Tech News World