Looks like Samsung has the first foldable tablet

[Lloydbm41]

Interesting patent. Samsung apparently already has working prototypes as well.

Link: http://phandroid.com/2014/06/10/samsung-foldable-display-patent/

The problem with this is that the phone is still rigid and likely going to be heavier and bulkier than normal. This is probably the next evolution in 'consumer level' phones before we get the paper thin foldable/rollable displays.

 

[sk1wbw]

Didn’t Kyocera have something like this that flopped?

 

[Dolorian]

The problem with this is that the phone is still rigid and likely going to be heavier and bulkier than normal.

Yeah and it also has a bunch of moving parts. I am not convinced by this concept, even tho I think something similar to the phone they showed in the movie Paranoia is probably in the future.

 

[Vegastouch]

Samsung has had that bendable screen for a couple years now so maybe it could be something but who knows.

 

[kdarling]

Didn’t Kyocera have something like this that flopped?

Previous efforts involved separate rigid screens hinged together, so there was a line where they met.

Samsung's doing a single flexible folding screen, with:

- The ability to withstand over 100,000 open/close cycles without radical screen degradation at the fold(s).

- A flexible touchscreen component.

However, since the folds can't be really tight creases, the enclosure has to be thicker to accommodate a usable curve. This is from a much earlier Samsung folding phone patent, but it gives a side view of that need:

 

[maflynn]

Microsoft back in the day had one called the Courier. Id' not say they have the first foldable tablet. It never made it beyond the prototype, but its a design that is not all that new.

i realize MS' offering was a dual screen and not a foldable screen but I think it bears mentioning

 

[kdarling]

i realize MS' offering was a dual screen and not a foldable screen but I think it bears mentioning

The pre-iPad Courier dual screen collaborative tablet always deserves mentioning.



It's still unbelievable that Gates and Ballmer killed it because it didn't fit into their Windows centric view. It was a cool project with some great ideas. I never get tired of viewing their concept videos:

These are both great videos showing the potential of sharing info between multitasking windows on a tablet. (Most people don't realize the things that can be done on the Note tablet.)

 

[jamezr]

The pre-iPad Courier dual screen collaborative tablet always deserves mentioning.

View attachment 476060

It's still unbelievable that Gates and Ballmer killed it because it didn't fit into their Windows centric view. It was a cool project with some great ideas. I never get tired of viewing their concept videos:

YouTube: video

I think that it helped push HTC and Samsung to add pen support to their tablets, along with heavily influencing Samsung's actual Note Tablet capabilities:

YouTube: video

These are both great videos showing the potential of sharing info between multitasking windows on a tablet. (Most people don't realize the things that can be done on the Note tablet.)

I want the phone in this video from Samsung.....Right at the 2:43 mark is a great bendable foldable phone......

 

[spinedoc77]

That's awesome, hope to see one soon. It's obvious this is the next breakout paradigm, combine your tablet and your phone.

 

[kdarling]

I want the phone in this video from Samsung.....Right at the 2:43 mark is a great bendable foldable phone......

Yeah, we all want that one!

Samsung has been teasing us for years, but I think these devices are finally coming.

Here's an older prototype folding phone that they showed off back in 2008. (screen folds at 0:24 and 1:35)

 

[jamezr]

Yeah, we all want that one!

Samsung has been teasing us for years, but I think these devices are finally coming.

Here's an older prototype folding phone that they showed off back in 2008. (screen folds at 0:24 and 1:35)

YouTube: video

They like showing off display oriented stuff, since they're the ones who'll manufacture the screens. Here's another of their displays concept videos:

YouTube: video

I love these types of future concepts! technology is a beautiful thing!

I want the tablet in the last video at about the 2 minute mark....nice!