2019 is shaping up to be the genesis of the foldable phone. Samsung, Royole, Xiaomi, and Motorola have all been confirmed or rumored to releasing such a device. Now, a new Microsoft patent is hinting at a future foldable device from the company who recently buried Windows 10 Mobile. The fact that Microsoft shelved its mobile OS makes one wonder what would actually run on this device?
Well, that remains to be seen but according to reports, the company is working on two dual-screen devices code-named Andromeda and Centaurus 2-in-1. Of course, this Microsoft patent doesn’t mean we’ll actually see any of this come to fruition but it does reveal some interesting details.
The patent explains that a series of ultrasound sensors on either side of the device will determine how the user interface is displayed. The sensors will calculate the distance between them and, presumably, switch the device into the appropriate mode (tablet/phone/PC) or display relevant information for the device’s current shape.
Forbes
It is very possible that what we’re seeing here won’t be an actual phone but a Windows pocket convertible tablet of some kind. Given that Windows 10 Mobile is discontinued the only other solutions are, new mobile-optimized software developed by Microsoft or using Android. Don’t get your hopes up too quickly though, as this is only a patent. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this Microsoft patent though and if foldable phones are destined to be the next device in our pockets.
We had the chance to check out the Royole FlexPai phone at CES 2019. My initial impressions were that the hardware and software both need a lot of work. The hardware was far from being polished or what I would consider to be consumer ready. The software was janky, laggy, and not fluid in the least. Check out our video from CES 2019 below.
What do you think of this Microsoft patent? What do you think of foldable phones? Would you buy one and why? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter, or Facebook. You can also comment on our MeWe page by joining the MeWe social network.
[button link=”https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2019/01/30/new-microsoft-foldable-surface-phone-details-emerge/#29ed2fe65892″ side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Forbes[/button][button link=”https://www.windowslatest.com/2019/01/30/new-patent-shows-off-microsofts-foldable-device-with-focus-on-sensors/” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Windows Latest[/button]Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
