iTnews

Microsoft patents foldable smartphone designs

By Juha Saarinen on Dec 8, 2017 9:00AM
Microsoft patents foldable smartphone designs

Former and current Nokia engineers listed as inventors.

Microsoft is continuing to add smartphone designs to its intellectual property portfolio despite having exited the Windows Phone business two months ago.

Two new patent applications - for "two part device with camera and mechanical flap" [pdf] and "portable devices with adjustable optical arrangement" [pdf] - show a mobile apparatus with two separate screens that fold in the middle like a book.

They include designs with hinges and foldable screens.

While the patents don't lay claim to having invented foldable designs, they focus on a crucial feature of modern mobile devices - cameras: Microsoft is patenting ideas on how to make imaging units work when foldable devices are opened and shut.

The patents cover smartphones as well as tablets and laptop computers, phone-tablet hybrids, and gaming consoles.

For both patents, the six inventors are existing and former Nokia employees in Finland. Two of the inventors now work at Chinese electronics giant Huawei.

Foldable clamshell and slider style mobile phones were common in the early 2000s, until Apple's iPhone debuted with a flat touch screen and no numeric hardware buttons.

Smartphone vendors are working on bringing back foldable designs, however, for next year.

Already, Korea's Samsung this month released the W2018 flip phone, which features a 4.2-inch screen, for the Chinese market.

Korean media reported that Samsung has a Galaxy X smartphone in the works for next year with a three-panel foldable design.

Apple is also said to be working on a foldable iPhone, with Samsung competitor LG supplying bendable panels for the device.

Got a news tip for our journalists? Share it with us anonymously here.
Copyright © iTnews.com.au . All rights reserved.
Tags:
hardwarehuaweimicrosoftnokiasmartphonestelcotelco/isp

Partner Content

Alienated from your own data? You’re not alone
Promoted Content Alienated from your own data? You’re not alone
5 essential digital transformation ideas
Promoted Content 5 essential digital transformation ideas
Don't miss Australia’s premiere IoT Conference on 9th June
Promoted Content Don't miss Australia’s premiere IoT Conference on 9th June
Security "mindset shift" needed to protect organisations
Promoted Content Security "mindset shift" needed to protect organisations

Sponsored Whitepapers

Planning before the breach: You can’t protect what you can’t see
Planning before the breach: You can’t protect what you can’t see
Beyond FTP: Securing and Managing File Transfers
Beyond FTP: Securing and Managing File Transfers
NextGen Security Operations: A Roadmap for the Future
NextGen Security Operations: A Roadmap for the Future
Video: Watch Juniper talk about its Aston Martin partnership
Video: Watch Juniper talk about its Aston Martin partnership
Don’t pay the ransom: A three-step guide to ransomware protection
Don’t pay the ransom: A three-step guide to ransomware protection

Events

  • iTnews Benchmark Awards 2022 - Finalist Showcase
  • 11th Annual Fraud Prevention Summit 2022
  • IoT Impact Conference
  • Cyber Security for Government Summit
By Juha Saarinen
Dec 8 2017
9:00AM
0 Comments

Related Articles

  • Microsoft joins with Nokia, SA govt to explore 5G, space tech opportunities
  • Victoria to replace wireless myki readers as 3G shutdown nears
  • Huawei 2021 profit leaps on asset sales
  • Telstra shows off edge compute in Barcelona
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Whatsapp Email A Friend

Most Read Articles

NBN Co's 250Mbps and gigabit growth is finally clear

NBN Co's 250Mbps and gigabit growth is finally clear

NBN Co sizes up six-figure customer exodus a year to fixed wireless

NBN Co sizes up six-figure customer exodus a year to fixed wireless

Kmart Australia re-platforms ecommerce site to AWS

Kmart Australia re-platforms ecommerce site to AWS

NBN Co to cut 160 applications under $200m IT simplification

NBN Co to cut 160 applications under $200m IT simplification

Digital Nation

COVER STORY: A Year in the Metaverse
COVER STORY: A Year in the Metaverse
Lendlease launches its own metaverse in Milan
Lendlease launches its own metaverse in Milan
CTO Juergen Mueller offers a glimpse into SAP's metaverse play
CTO Juergen Mueller offers a glimpse into SAP's metaverse play
COVER STORY: Data and IoT set digital agriculture on a sustainable future
COVER STORY: Data and IoT set digital agriculture on a sustainable future
Why do DeFi and DAOs matter to business?
Why do DeFi and DAOs matter to business?
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorisation.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of nextmedia's Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.