Nokia Demonstrate Lumia 820 3D Printing At MWC 2013
Last month we brought you news that Nokia had made it possible for users to print their own 3D cases for the Nokia Lumia 820. The vast majority of people don't have access to an expensive 3D printer, but Nokia releasing the CAD files for the Lumia 820 have us a mouth-watering glimpse of the future.
The Mobile World Congress is always where manufacturers show off their pioneering technology and this year has been no different. We've seen NFC-enabled scooters which turn-on you move your smartphone near them, but Nokia's 3D printing demonstration was the thing that impressed us the most.
Nokia joined forces with MakerBot to showcase the amazing 3D printing feature of the Nokia Lumia 820. The demonstration involved two MakerBot 3D printers which were used to produce cases for Nokia's smartphone.
Nokia even gave users the chance to win a personalised Lumia 820 case which would be printed for them at the event in Barcelona. All you have to do enter is tweet @Nokia_Connects using the hashtag #Lumia820 and add your own funny or witty statement, but you'll need to be fast as the compeititon closes tommorow.
The winners are then selected and will win themselves a personalised Nokia Lumia 820 case , but what use is a case if you don't have the smartphone. Well, Nokia have been kind enough to give each winner their own Lumia 820 as well !
How far away is 3D Printing in the home ?
Wouldn't it be great if everyone could print their own smartphone case or 3D models in their home. However, the reality is that the Makerbot Replicator 3D printer (pictured above) used by Nokia costs around £2000 and the software used to produce 3D CAD files is incredibly expensive and complicated.
The good news is that the printer is only the size of a microwave which means it's not unthinkable to have one in your home. Further, things always get smaller and more affordable and over time and therefore we expect 3D printers to begin become more common over the next couple of years.
Initially, you'll probably only be able to make small items such as kids toys but over time they'll become more advanced. 3G think thats the ability to make your own smartphone case could become a reality very soon especially if other operators release the CAD files for their devices.
By Simon Thomas on 28th February, 2013