Tag: Foldable Display

IBM Is Developing A Unique Smartwatch Which Unfolds Into A Tablet

The issue with technology is its volatility. Dreams of today is reality in the near future. Previously, the foldable smartphone concept was an eye catching product of science fiction. We have all heard of foldable smartphone, which is one of the hot key words in technology this year; such devices have already been seen with Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s Mate X. Now, a new report suggests that IBM is currently working on making the worlds first smartwatch that unfolds into a phone or tablet.

IBM is one of the major IT company which is renowned for its rich history with computing devices. The company is now reportedly working on an entirely new concept; we have seen foldable smartphones and soon we might see a smartwatch that doubles as a phone and a tablet. According to the report, IBM patented a design titled, “Variable Display Size For an Electronic Display Device.” The images portray a smartwatch with a thick case that will house multiple layers of the secondary display folded behind the main screen. These stacked display can be extended to be positioned on the sides of the main display.

Each screen individual screen measure 3 x 2 inches and when after unfolding reaches 6 x 4 inches. The third configuration only doubles the sides making it a tablet of 6 x 8 inches in size. The implication of such technology from IBM is massive. Soon foldable display under the main screen can help reduce overall footprint of devices which can be extended as and when needed. Even gadgets like smartwatches could potentially have more productive capabilities built into them.

Also Read: Nintendo Announces Switch Lite, An Affordable Portable Gaming Console

IBM patents that the unfolding smartwatch is made to be a partnering device for keeping the user posted with news; it does so and more via its ability of enlarging its screen size for more functionality. The company has yet to provide any statements regarding this particular device or its planned internal hardware. More updates will be provided when information is available.

July 11, 2019
Apple Maybe Working On A Laptop Sized Foldable iPad

Apple iPad is one of the best selling tablet devices in the global market. However, the mobile industry is one of the most volatile markets and currently suffers from oversaturation that has led to a decline in Apple’s sales volume. The American company is reportedly planning on overcoming this slump with the introduction of its first 5G ready devices.

A new report from a Chinese source has claimed that Apple is developing a foldable iPad with 5G connectivity.

The news arrives after rumours had surfaced on an upcoming dual screen Microsoft Surface laptops. It can be implied that Apple is taking the portable ultrabook category more seriously to compete against Microsoft’s offering. The upcoming foldable iPad would feature the first major redesign in the series in about 10 years and will help boost Apple’s sales. The foldable tablet is also implied to offer 5G networking capabilities alongside the new design philosophy. However, it is unclear as to when the device will be released as a 5G iPhone is more likely to be released before a 5G iPad.

Apple is rumoured to unveil its first 5G ready iPhone in early 2020, although rumours are also alleging that a 5G iPad might be launched before it. The confusion in launch timelines can only be cleared by an official company statement regarding the matter. Unfortunately, it is still too early for a response to be given out if the device is under early stages of development.

A foldable smartphone is a hybrid between a tablet and handset, but a foldable tablet will be a tablet and laptop hybrid. Hence, the upcoming device might be a bendable MacBook sized Apple product built for versatility. According to the report, Apple is already seeking suppliers for critical components for the foldable iPad. Rather than simply being a bending MacBook screen, Apple might just include a secondary display for dual screen functionality similar to the rumoured Surface Pro; or include the 2 in 1 hybrid feature that is employed by certain OEMs.

A foldable 5G iPad would allow users to have a lot more mobility with capable hardware at any given moment. It would enable more productivity with the inclusion of the new faster bandwidth on the go. Apple has yet to make any announcement regarding this information so loyal fans of the brand should not start making victory laps already. The new design could be a much needed fresh breath of air to revitalize the product.

Also Read: AMD Reduces Radeon RX 5700 Prices To Beat NVIDIA RTX Super

Analysts have also claimed that the first 5G iPad will not be seen until the year 2021. It is not to say that Apple would not include new designs for its upcoming iPad Pro in 2020. The company might be making a bold new step if they do decide to go through with the unique design formula. More information is expected to be available in the arriving weeks with updates following soon.

July 6, 2019
Royole Working On A New Form Of Folding Wearable Technology

Chinese technology company Royole is best known for making the world’s first foldable smartphone, the Royole FlexPai. Fresh patents from the company have surfaced online which reveal it is working on two new design for foldable wearable devices. Both the wearables feature a large screen that can be folded to be comfortably worn on the wrist.

About The Patent

The patent for a folding wearable was filed by the Royole Corporation in the second half of the year 2017. It was then published on the website of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on the 4th of April 2019. Images in the patent reveal a flexible wristband with a foldable rectangular display. The display can be folded into a compact form factor that can be easily worn on the user’s wrist. To hold the screen together, magnets are used behind the display. All the necessary display components are processed inside the bendable housing behind its top layer. The patent claims the folding wearable will make use of a flexible battery, which will be integrated into the watch band. Unfortunately, it is unclear what battery technology will be used into the device, as modern-day Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries cannot be bent because they have a high chance of leaking or exploding.

Also read: After PUBG Ban, Tencent Launches Game For Peace In China

The second patent showcased is of a ‘Smart bracelet’ which was published in the month of February this year. The images in the patent showcase a similar device to the first patent with minor differences. Like the one mentioned above, the device in the images also showcases a smartwatch with a foldable display, however, this time it is shaped in the form of a bracelet. The display on the smart bracelet can be unfolded downwards, providing an elongated screen. To facilitate the folding and unfolding, a rotating mechanism is used on the device. While the company has been granted these patents, it is unknown as of now if it will release devices corresponding to them in the near future.

May 9, 2019
Samsung Patents A Rectangular Foldable Device With Large Flexible Display

Samsung is known for innovating with its smartphones in order to provide a better user experience. The company became the first one to launch a foldable smartphone in the market, which is the Galaxy Fold. Previously, a smartphone with dual display panels was patented by the South Korean organization. In March 2019, Samsung was granted a patent for a device which had a spring mechanism for the foldable display. As per latest reports, the company has patented a rectangular display device can be conveniently folded.

About The Patent

The patent was granted to Samsung and published on May 7 2019 in the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) and the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) database. It clearly depicts a device that has one large single flexible display. When the device is unfolded, it reveals an elongated tablet-sized panel which has 3 folding creases, indicating the lines around which the smartphone has to be folded. Once it is folded, the resulting device has a screen on all the four sides.

Users can choose what to display at each face of the folded display. For instance, one side can showcase the time and date, whereas the other side can display the incoming notifications. Furthermore, such a design can be very handy at meetings, where the user can simply unfold the device to convert it into a tablet to convey necessary information to multiple people at the same time.

Also Read: Every One In Two Smartphones Will Have Triple Rear Cameras By 2021, Claims Report

The images in the patent exhibit that the foldable device has a power button at the front alongside the USB 2.0 port. Additionally, no technical specifications and functionalities of the device are spoken of in the patent. Considering that Samsung has applied for the patent both in Korea and America, the company may have plans to manufacture such a device in the near future.

The detailed patent can be viewed by clicking here

May 9, 2019
Google Files Patent To Make Foldable Displays Durable
Google is a company that is not limited to one particular field or industry. Being in the hardware space for a long time with devices like Nexus and Pixel phones, Pixel tablets and such the company has recently filed for a patent that intends to improve the durability of foldable displays. It seems that the patent is not meant for just one single device but it rethinks how foldable displays are made and operate. The patent details three different types of solutions which can improve the durability of a foldable display panel.

Limitations Of Foldable Displays

The currently showcased displays by major companies like Samsung and LG make use of flexible material that is engineered to have high tensile and compressive strength. Every flexible display is rated to bend to a certain degree without experiencing permanent damage. If the display is bent beyond that degree it loses its capability to retract to its original state. Google, however has filed patents for three mechanisms that approach this issue from a completely different perspective.

Google’s Patents

The patent filed by Google includes three different approaches to making a highly durable foldable display.
- Low Stretch Fibres- The first type of display has an additional layer of stretchable fibres. The stretchable fibres prevent it from bending after a certain degree. It involves arranging the low stretch fibres in such a manner that ensure that they reach their limit of elasticity before the display is bent beyond its minimum bend radius.
- Memory Metal Display- This patent has thin wires of a memory metal which is arranged in a grid layout behind the actual display panel. Memory metal is a metal alloy which when bent has the ability to restore back to its original state when one exposes it to a certain temperature. In simple words, attaching such a metal mesh to a foldable display will allow it to spring back to its unfolded state.
- Non-Newtonian Fluid Display- A non-newtonian fluid is a fluid that does not follow Newton’s law of viscosity. That is constant viscosity independent of stress. Such gel or fluid can be infused with electro-active materials like polymer-metal composites. Electric current and voltage can be used to limit the bending radius of screens having this fluid. Therefore allowing companies to make foldable displays that have a high durability.
The patents are just a concept as of now. But the ideas look promising and can be shaped into real life future technologies.
December 15, 2018
Samsung Files Patent For Foldable Device With Three Screens

The market for foldable smartphones will soon get pretty heated up. The long-awaited devices are on the brink of commercial availability. Samsung has previously showcased a foldable smartphone & is very optimistic about it. The company expects to sell 1 million units of foldable smartphones within the first year of their launch. The company seems to fall short in the field of smartphones against Chinese OEM’s. But, the foldable technology devices might help Samsung maintain their supremacy. Recently, Samsung has filed yet another intriguing patent of a device with double fold screen.

Foldable Frenzy!

The biggest highlight of the patent is the S-shaped foldable triple screens. The three screens unfold into to seamless tablet display. The patent reveals two hinges on either side of the middle screen that connect it with the left and right screen. The device when folded looks like a thick stack of cards. Additionally, the folded edge looks very thin unlike the previously showcased Galaxy F.

The flexible mobile/ tablet device has rounded corners and a rectangular cutout at the back. The cutout will most probably house the rear camera and a fingerprint sensor if Samsung opts for one. The patent also shows a few slots at the bottom of the middle screen. The ports include a speakerphone grill, 3.5mm audio jack and what appears to be a USB Type-C port. As this is just a patent no certain specifications are currently available. But, the device will surely be a significant technological achievement which will open gates for a lot of other industries as well.

Fold Mania

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite To Launch Soon

To conclude, the patent is just a representation which indicates the possibilities of a foldable screen & what foldable devices from Samsung might look like in the future.

November 14, 2018
Android Adds Foldable Display Support

As foldable displays come to the verge of becoming a reality, Android has announced it’s support towards this new tech. This was announced at the Android Dev Summit held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA. Android announced that they will be extending their hand to support foldable displays with their UI. According to the company, as early as Android 1.6, Android and it’s partners have contemplated different screen sizes and densities. They have since worked on several different form factors to power a broad category and new experiences like Android TV, Android Auto, Wear OS and even Android apps on Chromebooks. The introduction of Phablets, which are phones with bigger screens set the benchmark for where smartphones are today.

Android Optimisation For Folding Displays

Foldable screens are the future where the screen folds into a phone and unfolds into a bigger screen for media consumption. Android is working towards making this transition from a phone to a media consumption device seamless and more immersive. Android states that when unfolding, the app seamlessly transfers to the bigger screen without missing a beat. They are optimising Android for this new form factor. According to the company, they are making changes to help developers everywhere take advantage of the possibilities this creates for amazing new experiences. It also opens up new ways to engage and delight the users, states the company.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ To Get Android 9 Pie Based On One UI

Android also stated that there will be more manufacturers joining the folding screen bandwagon soon. Last year, ZTE displayed a phone that had two screens attached to a hinge. While Samsung’s new phone closes inward, but Royole’s FlexPai, another foldable phone, has an outward-folding screen. Other makers such as Huawei, LG, Xiaomi, Oppo, Lenovo and Motorola are also reportedly working on foldable phones. It will be interesting to see how Android optimises for different form factors and screen sizes from different manufacturers in future.

November 9, 2018
Samsung Showcases Its Foldable Smartphone With Infinity Flex Display

The long awaited, folding smartphone from Samsung is finally here. Samsung unveiled the phone, which also doubles up as a tablet, at the Samsung Developer Conference. But the company did not reveal an official name for the device. However, they did mention that it uses what is called the Infinity Flex Display. This lets you use the phone as a smartphone when it is folded, and a tablet when the screen is unfolded. The device runs on the new Android OS for folding displays. It will enter mass-production early next year, according to Samsung.

To complete the transition, it uses a 4.6 inch Super AMOLED display which acts as the primary display for when you use it as a smartphone. Upon unfolding, you can use the 7.3 inch Super AMOLED display which is the main display, according to the company. With so much screen available, you can use up to three apps at once, while using the device. The company also ensures a smooth transition between apps. They also claim that the transition from a smartphone to a tablet is smooth and effortless at all times. To make this possible, they take the help of Android, which has announced support for foldable displays.

The Foldable Future

Samsung has also set up an emulator SDK to help test apps for the device. Additionally, they will provide guidelines on how to develop apps for foldable smartphones. Samsung also said that they have spent a lot of time on perfecting the design elements for the new phone. From what we can see in the video of the device presented by the company, it has much thinner bezels and a smoother finish than the FlexPai folding smartphone, which was launched last week.

It’s a phone… It’s a tablet… It’s a phone that unfolds into a tablet! #SDC18 pic.twitter.com/FgwpJPjqTn

— Samsung Developer (@samsung_dev) November 7, 2018

Some reports also suggest that this is not the production variant of the phone. Saying that the final version will have thinner bezels and a less bulky design. This would be key as no one would like to lug around a phone that is bulky and inconvenient, no matter how innovative it may be.

November 8, 2018
Samsung Teases Its Foldable Phone, Will Reveal It Soon

The Samsung Developer Conference is just a day away and the hype around the event is increasing. Samsung will give the world a first glance at its foldable Galaxy smartphone, which also doubles up as a tablet. The foldable device had been under production for a long time and sports a 7.3 inch foldable internal OLED display.

Two-Fold Teaser

Samsung updated the pictures on its Twitter handle and Facebook page. The new image features a ‘folding’ logo which obviously points towards the imminent launch of the folding phone. The folding phone has been given the title of Samsung Galaxy ‘F’ according to sources and doubles up as a tablet. There had been a lot of speculation regarding what kind of design Samsung would settle with for the device, and latest reports claim they have the answer. They stated that Samsung will use a 7.3 inch foldable internal OLED display and a 4.6 inch external OLED display. The internal display will hide completely when you fold the device and the external display will let you use it as a smartphone.

Developer Conference

The device will take centre stage at Samsung’s Developer Conference. The official SDC app also states that Samsung will display their new Android 9 Pie Beta program and a brand new Galaxy UX. It also states that we will get to see ‘how a foldable displanew experience creates a totally e’. However, this is not the first folding display. A Chinese company, Rouyu has already shown their display running on the unannounced Snapdragon 8150 ( a.k.a Snapdragon 855). The device is available for pre-order and a lot of people also had used the device hands-on.

Also Read: Apple Halts Additional iPhone XR Production Lines Due To Decreased Demand

However, as we have seen before, it doesn’t matter that much as to who introduced the technology first. It is expected that Samsung phone will produce a much more refined and smoother device when compared to the Rouyu FlexPai. Samsung is also expected to provide more details about its Galaxy Home AI Speaker at the event.

November 6, 2018