By Quek Hong Shin

A mobile phone today is jampacked with many applications, making it the "Swiss army knife of technology".

Here are some of the fascinating features that might find their way into our phone of the future.

Text scanner

A photo of the document is captured on the handset and sent to firms that process the image. A set of servers grabs all visible text, cleans it up and drops it into a PDF file that is fully editable and can be sent as a document via e-mail. ScanR.com, which was lauched in 2006, is one of the leading entrants in this particular technology.

Location finder

Emergency responders can pinpoint users' locations when they are in danger. The GPS technology also allows you to track your friends' location, search for specific services in the vicinity and lets parents keep tabs of their children.

Intercom

Answer your front door, even if you are overseas. The doorbell and intercom system sends a message to your phone when activated. After you enter your password, you can talk to your guest over the intercom or even unlock your door to let him in.

Advanced video options

It is likely that you will soon be able to manipulate your images and videos directly on your phones, just as you would on a high-end digital camera or PC. Certain camera phones will let users stream live video to contacts with a video-capable phone.

Some phones will also be equipped with projectors that can expand their displays to fill the nearest white wall or screen.

Mobile Augmented Reality

This technology will tie together the Internet, accelerometers in phones and GPS to superimpose digital information on the real world. Point your phone at a building and it tells you anything from the history of its construction to visiting hours to restaurant reviews.

Revolutionary design

Nokia revealed a concept phone that is stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform his mobile device into radically different shapes and making it wearable.

With nanotechnology, devices could be made of transparent electronics and have self-cleaning surfaces. Alternative energy like solar power, thermal and fuel cells also means that phones are powered more efficiently.

Mobile TV

Users will have access to a wide range of TV programmes on their phones, from original and professionally produced content to specially edited segments to live broadcasts and user-generated clips.

Mobile payment

Just tap your phone to a near-field communication (NFC) reader and it acts just like the credit card or debit card. A mobile payment-enabled phone is associated with a bank or credit-card company, like how it is associated with a phone service provider.

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.