Itochu and Holochip — yeah, I know. Never heard of them either. — have teamed up to make liquid lenses that will offer optical zoom and image manipulation without the mess of digital extrapolation. A tiny motor and squishy lens will work in tandem to deform the optics to zoom in and out without physically moving the lens forward or backwards. This means thinner, better optical zooms for cameras and phones and — if you’re not careful — a little wet spot on your pants if you smash your lens.

Liquid camera lenses just around the corner [DigitalTokyoWorld]