How the iPhone calculator would look if it were "real".

After rendering this image in Cinema 4D, Adobe Photoshop was used to add a slight Barrel Distortion - to simulate the effect of using a zoom lens at the widest angle setting. Consequently, the straight edges curve outwards slightly.

The model uses a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bump_map" rel="nofollow">bump map</a> to simulate the through-molded key markings. The symbols - molded in a different coloured plastic - run through the key like the lettering on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_(confectionery)" rel="nofollow">seaside rock</a>, and so cannot wear off with use. (Some keys on Casio calculators have or had this feature.) Bump mapping creates the illusion that the characters are slightly indented into the key. (If you look closely at the X key, you can see that I forgot to turn on this feature for that particular button during the render, and so the X does not appear indented.)

The "hybrid" LCD / vacuum fluorescent display is curved - both like a glass vacuum enclosure and a magnifying lens. The (fictionally auto-kerned and finely rendered) black "LCD" lettering casts a shadow against a "mucous green" background, a typical colour for low power LCD display.

The base of the keypad has a rough texture, also simulated using a bump map. Early pocket calculators often had a non-smooth textured finish.

There are also fine horizontal lines spreading to the left of the round "home button". I think that these are caused either by geometric errors when I cut a hole in the case mesh to fit the button, or by the "normals" (which govern shading) becoming accidentally reversed during the cutting process. Properly aligned normals - indicating in which direction each individual facet/polygon faces - are essential for proper smoothing during rendering. The edge of the "home button" hole is a bit ragged too - possibly as a consequence of using too coarse a mesh before cutting the hole in it.

Anyone who has ever seen eerie <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveView" rel="nofollow">live view</a> real time face <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Face_detection" rel="nofollow">recognition/detection</a> technology - little boxes swarming over people's faces in real time to help with auto focussing - will know that it is only a matter of when - not if - iPhone like devices will dynamically produce and directionally project (using dynamic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenticular_lens" rel="nofollow">lenticular</a> screens) appropriate "left eye" and "right eye" views. 3D "hologram like" displays will become a reality. Companies like Apple have already filed patents.

Related 3D interface and autostereoscopic display articles here: <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10121240-37.html" rel="nofollow">CNET</a>, <a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/11/3d_gui/" rel="nofollow">The Register</a> and <a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/20/apple_researching_autostereoscopic_3_d_display_hardware.html" rel="nofollow">AppleInsider</a> and, (updating) <a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/18/apple_3d_patent/" rel="nofollow">The Register</a> again. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd3-eiid-Uw" rel="nofollow">Also, Head Tracking - YouTube demonstration</a>

<a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/06/04/amazon_mystery_product_launch/" rel="nofollow">Amazon "Holographic" phone rumour...</a>

Wikipedia references: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_rule" rel="nofollow">Slide Rule</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculator#1970s_to_mid-1980s" rel="nofollow">Calculator</a> - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TI-30" rel="nofollow">TI-30</a> - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP-35" rel="nofollow">HP-35</a> - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinclair_Cambridge" rel="nofollow">Sinclair Cambridge</a>