Apple Wins Patent for Flexible OLED iPhone Display

[Z400Racer37]

I thought I remembered seeing something with a display that could curve, but was also translucent/transparent when you weren't using it... Anybody know what I'm talking about? Or am I remembering wrong?

 

[dragje]

Always 10 steps behind Samsung, but always the first to sue. Hence all the unwarranted patents. Patents only for "design" as Apple actually invent no core technologies that makes so many designs possible. Pathetic.

A very mature way of debating....

Samsung is 10 steps ahead!
No!! Apple is!!
No, Samsung!!
You sue first!
No you Apple where first!
No, you Samsung!!

What is this? A debate between four years old? Come on...

 

[rek89]

You are very likely correct in your explanation of the claims of this patent, but using the flex of the device as an UI method seems so utterly obvious....

Well, yes and no. I mean, almost everything seems obvious in hindsight after someone points out the possible use. Honestly, the possibility of twisting or death-gripping my phone to tell it what I want to do is not really something I had considered given the plethora of other input options that are available and because, of course, that would be holding it wrong... .

But, if technology does move to this area, I am sure there will be many ways of achieving the same or similar functionality without running afoul of this patent because of the many implementation manners. Also, obvious doesn't really mean what it seems like it means in the world of getting and enforcing a patent.

I wonder if this means Apple has in fact created a device that meets these claims or if they are seeking IP protection for their wiley imaginations...?

Complete shot in the dark, since it is something hardware related, I would be willing to bet they at least have some sort of proof of concept built. But, granted, that is merely my opinion and has absolutely squat to back it up other than gut instinct.

 

[kdarling]

Reminds me of the prototype that jamezr posted the other day in the Alternative devices section :

 

[Zirel]

Always 10 steps behind Samsung, but always the first to sue. Hence all the unwarranted patents. Patents only for "design" as Apple actually invent no core technologies that makes so many designs possible. Pathetic.

Samsung never made a flexible phone, as "core technologies ", they have been proven in court that they stole their chip technology and made their employees suffer from leukemia, and covered the South Korean media, because they are very powerful in the country.

 

[Spinnetti]

This would be great for the Apple Watch to be honest.
But I highly doubt it'd come any sooner..

Edit - Remeber the iWatch concept renderings?

The concepts were fantastic, especially the first and last of the pictures... the real thing was kind of a let down (usually true on new launches though). One of the few Apple things I didn't buy.

Regardless, only on the internet does everybody get all inflamed about what Apple does lol.

What I'd like to see is a fix for my 2009 iMac video card - that's what would make me happy lol.

PS, curved display and flexible are different things.. curved easier to do that flexible!

 

[I7guy]

Always 10 steps behind Samsung, but always the first to sue. Hence all the unwarranted patents. Patents only for "design" as Apple actually invent no core technologies that makes so many designs possible. Pathetic.

And why shouldn't they sue? Their mission is not to invent core technologies but to bring technology to the masses in a very different way. And yes the patent system is broken as you can base a new patent off an existing methodology, and needs fixing. Let's not single apple out for the patent system failings cause everyone is in the same boat.