Apple Exploring Viability of Foldable Devices With Touch-Sensitive Chassis

[MacRumors]

Apple has been awarded yet another patent for a foldable device, with the latest embodiment featuring a clamshell design with touch-sensitive areas on the sides that serve as virtual buttons (via CNBC).

Filed by Apple in April 2021 and approved this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the new patent explores ideas for "Electronic Devices With Display and Touch Sensor Structures" and envisions how parts of a device could work as input surfaces to augment the display or for use when the display is folded up.

In one example, the patent describes how display layers and touch sensor layers could be "overlapped" in a device's outer panels, and how the touch sensors could go under a glass layer along the front, bottom, and "curved sidewalls" of a device, suggesting the potential for touch input across the entire outer chassis of a clamshell-style enclosure.

Elsewhere in another example, the patent describes "wrapping a display around some or all of the device," where the curved sidewalls would house touch-sensitive layers, allowing them to work as camera controls, volume sliders, and other functions.

The patent is fueling fresh speculation that Apple's first foldable device is getting nearer to launch. The company has been working on foldable display technology for some years now, filing multiple foldable-related patents. Analyst ‌Ming-Chi Kuo‌ said last year that Apple is actively testing a foldable display, although he believes Apple's first foldable device may be a hybrid ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌, or simply a foldable ‌iPad‌. More recently, Kuo said that Apple is preparing to launch a foldable iPad with a carbon fiber kickstand in 2024.

Display analyst Ross Young said last year that Apple's long-rumored foldable ‌iPhone‌ has been delayed until 2025. The news of the delay reportedly came after discussions with supply chain sources, suggesting that Apple has been conducting due diligence to ascertain the viability of bringing such a product to market anytime soon.

Article Link: Apple Exploring Viability of Foldable Devices With Touch-Sensitive Chassis

 

[wanha]

A 20 inch iPad that folds into the size of a 10 inch iPad? Sign me up (as soon as the screen technology catches up with the vision).

 

[icanhazmac]

I have no use for this. Just about everything Apple makes has a great screen experience so no, I won't be buying anything with an ugly folded seam running down the middle.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Not interested and too gimmicky! Still doesn’t look appealing to me.

How about bringing back the classic 3D Touch instead?

 

[epox999]

Seems like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist?

 

[star-affinity]

I have no use for this. Just about everything Apple makes has a great screen experience so no, I won't be buying anything with an ugly folded seam running down the middle.

That can be avoided with a bendable OLED display.

 

[MacWiz_007]

Disclaimer: if you are not someone who uses a mini tablet/tablet along with a cell phone often and would appreciate having both devices in one, this post is not for you.

I was skeptical at first regarding foldables as well, until I traded in my iPhone 12 Pro Max for the Z Fold 3. I couldn't wait any longer for Apple to release a foldable phone and I was using my iPhone and iPad Mini all the time so I figured it would be great to have a 2 in 1. I have the Z Fold 4 now and I will never go back to a traditional slab phone. I love having a cell phone and mini tablet in one pocketable device. I prefer having the Z Fold 4 in my pocket over the iPhone Pro Max, as the iPhone Pro Max is too wide to be comfortable. The Z Fold 4 is a multi-tasking beast as well. I believe Apple will make a great foldable phone, and if/when they do I will consider coming back to iOS. If you are on the fence at all, give a foldable a try. It is impossible to understand how great they are unless you've owned one. You can always return it, if you don't like it. Android has come a long way over the past 4-5 years, and this is coming from someone who used to absolutely despise it. I found that Android 12 and 13 to be just as stable as iOS, which has gone downhill drastically over the past 3-4 years. For reference, I had owned every iPhone from the 4 to the 12. Food for thought anyway 😁

Side note: I had a Z Flip 4 as a backup phone and it was not good. I just don't understand the appeal of this type of foldable. Having to unfold it all the time for pretty much anything you want to do. It was a huge no-go for me anyway. To each their own though of course.

 

[surfzen21]

There is no way around this type of screen being considered a step back.

If the screen is not actual glass, I'm going to pass!!!!!

 

[Spock]

I like the idea of a folding device but I don't really see the point in some of these designs. I don't want essentially two phones stacked in my pocket. What I do think would be cool is for the MacBook Pro screen to have a foldable area down by the henge above the function keys to act as a new Touch Bar.

 

[LoveTo]

A foldable device will be cool. And I’m sure Apple will find a use case first before launching it. But under no circumstances can the screen be cheap creased plastic. Wait for better materials to be available.

 

[1885507]

I remain confused by the allure foldable screens have over people.

 

[MacWiz_007]

I remain confused by the allure foldable screens have over people.

It's simple really. It is nice having cell phone and a mini tablet in one device that can easily fit in your pocket.

 

[n-evo]

One of my biggest gripes with iOS 16 is that you can hardly rest your finger anywhere on the screen without accidentally triggering something. Let alone the physical chassis will end up doing the same.

 

[spinedoc77]

I have no use for this. Just about everything Apple makes has a great screen experience so no, I won't be buying anything with an ugly folded seam running down the middle.

This is already a non-issue with foldable phones and the newest teardrop hinge, I'm sure Apple will have worked in out in the at least 2-3 years until this possibly becomes a reality. Personally I try to envision how things might be in the near future with technology improvements rather than concentrating on yesterday's technological hurdles, but at the end of the day we won't know until it's closer to fruition.

 

[spinedoc77]

It's simple really. It is nice having cell phone and a mini tablet in one device that can easily fit in your pocket.

It's incredible how BASIC, just utterly basic this concept is, yet so many fail to grasp it. I completely get the complaints about the crease, about how thick they are, durability etc. But there are always those who simply can't fathom having something more portable because it's smaller. Yeah I get it, you will still need a messenger bag to carry this sort of device around, but go stick a 20" screen into your messenger bag and tell me having it much smaller isn't a benefit.

The other side of it is different paradigms like quad fold screens. Imagine folding that 20" screen twice into a much smaller (but thicker!!) square.

 

[vegetassj4]

Touch Sensitive?

Is there a way to learn this power?
Not from a Genius.

 

[compwiz1202]

One of my biggest gripes with iOS 16 is that you can hardly rest your finger anywhere on the screen without accidentally triggering something. Let alone the physical chassis will end up doing the same.

Exactly I do not like virtual buttons. Like you said the flashlight can come on in your pocket sometimes. I don't even want the 15 button. Don't want to be accidentally be turning silence off or volume up at work. Guess I could just turn it off since they boot way faster than they used to, but still... At least have some option to turn them off.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

My iPhone has a 6.7" screen and I have no need for it to fold into anything bigger when out and about. I hope this is not the way every iPhone goes.

 

[TSE]

This has always felt like technology searching for a solution but not solving any problems.

 

[compwiz1202]

It's simple really. It is nice having cell phone and a mini tablet in one device that can easily fit in your pocket.

I just don't understand why they fold the tablet ones lengthwise. It doesn't make it fit in your pocket any better. That the great thing about the Flip. Folding halves the length so it fits so much easier.

 

[PowerButton]

Aren’t folding screens more prone to scratches? The idea of one speck of sand in between a folding screen in my pocket slowly etching its mark on the screen is nerve-racking.

 

[cirex]

I would buy a foldable phone in a heartbeat. Played with a galaxy fold for a couple of days and it would be so useful for every day use. I just couldn't deal with not having my phone on the Apple ecosystem that I am too far in. I guess for people who use their "phones" for everything like me a larger screen is amazing.

 

[MacWiz_007]

I just don't understand why they fold the tablet ones lengthwise. It doesn't make it fit in your pocket any better. That the great thing about the Flip. Folding halves the length so it fits so much easier.

It is a mini tablet that folds into a thicker cell phone, and it's not that much thicker when folded then my wife's iPhone 12 Pro Max with a case on it. It makes it possible to carry a cell phone and mini tablet in your pants pocket. I don't have any issue putting my Fold 4 into any pocket on any pair of jeans, shorts, gym shorts, slacks, etc. that I own. I currently own the Z Fold 4 and I've owned the Z Flip 4 and the Flip 4 is the one that doesn't make sense to me. It's a phone that starts smaller and thicker and unfolds into a regular slab phone. This has been done before and nowadays it is more annoying than anything having to unfold a cell phone to basically do anything with it. Again, I realize that some people love the Flip so I'm not hating on it, but I have experienced it for myself and I don't understand the appeal.

 

[Daum]

Having owned a Z Fold 3 for 1.5 yrs I can say I can'g go back to a slab phone. I can only speak for myself as I consider myself as more of a power user. If you're just a normal person who needs a phone to do basic daily activities and is worried about price/value. A foldable is not for you.

Slab phones will eventually be considered as budget so there is always something for you.

 

[MacWiz_007]

Aren’t folding screens more prone to scratches? The idea of one speck of sand in between a folding screen in my pocket slowly etching its mark on the screen is nerve-racking.

This is a myth, unless you roll around with sand in your pockets all the time. I've owned the Z Fold 3 and 4 and I've never had any scratches on the main display, and I even remove the screen protector from the inner/main display.