Change the only constant

BERLIN: Mobile phones are morphing yet again, with the unveiling last year of some breakout new products that may even help us discard some of the personal technology that weighs down a bag.

Typical of the change are the optional "stations" sold with last year's Droid phone from US manufacturer Motorola, which change a phone in one easy action into an alarm clock or a satellite navigation device.

Fitting the phone into a bedside holder changes its display to a clock, while slotting it into a car windshield mount makes it instantly ready to display driving directions. This reduces button pressing.