Microsoft patents foldable smartphone that can transform into a tablet
Microsoft looks to have created a solution to the awkward conflict of screen size against portability with smartphones in a patent for a new foldable screen.
Microsoft
A tri-screen system could see the display extended into a full tablet, tented device or mini-laptop, presenting a fully adaptable hybrid device.
The Verge is reporting that the patent further solidifies the company’s intent to return to the smartphone market after the eventual failure of its costly 2014 Nokia mobile sector acquisition.
Fuelling the speculation is the news that the patent was invented by Microsoft’s Kabir Siddiqui, who has also developed the Surface kickstand and Surface camera.
The patent reads: “The size of a display device has been found to be a major consideration by consumers regarding a choice of which mobile computing device to buy, whether to purchase multiple mobile computing devices, and so on.
"For example, a user may be forced to balance portability of a mobile computing device having a relatively small display device (e.g., a mobile phone) with increased viewability afforded by larger display devices included on relatively large mobile computing devices."