Lots of Nokia's higher-end mobiles already come with basic motion-sensing, but in 2009 things look set to get even smarter, with ultra-sensitive MEMS gyroscopes likely to feature in at least some Nokia handsets, according to Far Eastern technology bible DigiTimes.

At present the likes of the N95 and N96 use accelerometers to work out which way they're facing and how fast they're moving - this works fine for apps like Nokia Step Counter, but the tech isn't massively advanced. MEMS gyroscopes are in a whole different league - this is the same tech that will be used in Nintendo's forthcoming Wii MotionPlus controller add-on (see picture), a super-sensitive dongle that allows the already-motion sensitive Wii Remote controller to measure gamers' real-time actions and replicate them identically on screen and whatever game is being played.

So how will MEMS affect how we use our Noks? I guess gaming controls are one obvious use, but that's got to be the tip of the iceberg - especially once the S60 development community gets its hands on the tech. Looks like there could be massive strides in usability coming to Nokia phones in 2009.

(Via DigiTimes and Pocket-lint)