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UBS Predicts Foldable iPhone or iPad by 2021, But Skepticism Abounds
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Be careful what you say guys... this could very well end up being like the infamous iPod announcement thread in a few years time the way you are all writing it off. That said, I think 2021 seems too early considering the current ‘foldable’ attempts are beta at best. In 5 years time I could see it though.
I like the idea of a folding iPhone. A smaller device for the pocket, but a bigger screen when in use. But the designs so far end up being much thicker, and the screen robustness is compromised.
There have been some patent drawings of a Motorola that uses the Razr form factor that looks quite nice, but is it achievable? There certainly doesn't appear to be enough basis for the UBS guess from that, or anywhere else.
There have been some patent drawings of a Motorola that uses the Razr form factor that looks quite nice, but is it achievable? There certainly doesn't appear to be enough basis for the UBS guess from that, or anywhere else.
I remember when people thought a modular smartphone was a good idea.
People kept saying to wait as the technology matures, and even though initial devices were thick and bulky that would get solved through “advances in materials and construction techniques” over the next few years.
Now where is Project ARA? Dead. Some ideas are just plain stupid regardless of whether technology makes them possible.
People kept saying to wait as the technology matures, and even though initial devices were thick and bulky that would get solved through “advances in materials and construction techniques” over the next few years.
Now where is Project ARA? Dead. Some ideas are just plain stupid regardless of whether technology makes them possible.
FFS. Please, Apple. Just put the damned Phone.app on your 4G iPads already.
Once the tech gets better, I can definitely see Apple releasing a foldable. We're just not there yet. I mean, I for one am happy to see other companies at least release foldables, even if they are crap. Should they experiment more internally? Of course. But hey, they're giving it a shot. It gets consumers, developers and designers thinking differently about responsive design.
I'd love to have one device that can function both as a tablet and a phone. If we could get to westworld level with foldables that would honestly be so sick.
I'd love to have one device that can function both as a tablet and a phone. If we could get to westworld level with foldables that would honestly be so sick.
Speaking of gimmicky. Very much agree with your folding phone comment, but I expect AR glasses to fail hard for several reasons.
What's gonna be hilarious.......
Apple release this phone and all the naysayers in this and other threads start gushing about how wonderful it is.
Apple release this phone and all the naysayers in this and other threads start gushing about how wonderful it is.
So honestly everyone gripes about about not innovating but yet most people on this thread just complain and has a lack of vision. This is a natural evolution when the tech is ready, why not have 2 devices in 1, that was the premise of the iPhone music plus phone. How about tablets plus phone. I didn’t realize this thread was so narrow minded.
Honest question to those complaining: what do you want to see in the innovation column from Apple??? Don’t just say “fix this already or Mac update xyz”, real innovation, what do you want to see them working on?
Honest question to those complaining: what do you want to see in the innovation column from Apple??? Don’t just say “fix this already or Mac update xyz”, real innovation, what do you want to see them working on?
So may nay sayers ... interesting
Remembers me when I bought my first iPhone and iPad.
I love a foldable device, hence it is needed and will be a success!
Mark my words, You nay sayers!
Remembers me when I bought my first iPhone and iPad.
I love a foldable device, hence it is needed and will be a success!
Mark my words, You nay sayers!
A small (iPhone without display) device that beams all content/information directly into your brain is more likely...
Yes, but probably not as much as the current designs. Remember how thick flip phones were until the Razr came along?
EXACTLY.
Apple gave us bigger screens because we were calling for them & there was a clear benefit.
With this... nobody is calling for it AND there is no benefit for them or us.
It seems the main problem with foldable anything is there are only 2 options. 1) The screen is on the outside permanently, so you can use it in clamshell mode but now it has no protection. 2) The screen is on the inside when folded and is useless unless it's unfolded, which means it's fullsized except when storing it.
I don't see this happening. Batteries are the key. You already have thickness with a battery to power one screen. Now you are adding another screen which increases thickness, and your battery now has to power 2x the pixels, so you need to increase battery size, which also increases thickness.
I don't see this happening. Batteries are the key. You already have thickness with a battery to power one screen. Now you are adding another screen which increases thickness, and your battery now has to power 2x the pixels, so you need to increase battery size, which also increases thickness.
Not unless the display can't be scratched, there's no glass (yet) that bends enough to be used on a foldable display.
Battery tech will advance, I bet we will see much better batteries within 5 years, lots of people/companies are searching for new battery tech, believe me, it's not to far away into the future.
Since the sharp bend in a foldable is a weak point, what about a roll-up display (rolls into a slot in a tube)? Pocketed, it might be mistaken for something else, but some who feel inadequate might take that as a plus. A much more compact version of the "globals" (portable communications/location/computer device) in "Earth: Final Conflict" gives the general idea. Or maybe it could be in the form of a stylish vambrace (forearm guard) with a retractible screen, which would avoid the particular misrepresentation issues previously alluded to.
Alternatively, what about a weightless unisex purse that exists mostly in another dimension and carries as much stuff as you want, with a "fetch" function to get a particular item out of there without digging through the contents. Diane Duane's wizards, and much later Rowling's (esp. Hermione) had something that behaved more or less like that. There are a few technical issues with having the weight and bulk be ignored while transporting easy access with you, but this is Apple we're talking about; they'll eventually figure those out. Laws of physics must not stand in the way of elegant design.
But more likely in time IMO would be something like Google Glass, but with the screen as a variable transparency overlay (allowing either AR or VR) , earphones in the temple bars, and EEG pickups. It'd take a little practice to move your virtual finger around with your thoughts, and making it sleek enough not to look like a dork when wearing it would be a challenge, but the tech required is mostly incremental on what we already have. The display would have to go transparent in case of power loss or crash though, so as not to be a hazard; requiring physical alpha and backlight channels.
Alternatively, what about a weightless unisex purse that exists mostly in another dimension and carries as much stuff as you want, with a "fetch" function to get a particular item out of there without digging through the contents. Diane Duane's wizards, and much later Rowling's (esp. Hermione) had something that behaved more or less like that. There are a few technical issues with having the weight and bulk be ignored while transporting easy access with you, but this is Apple we're talking about; they'll eventually figure those out.
Laws of physics must not stand in the way of elegant design.But more likely in time IMO would be something like Google Glass, but with the screen as a variable transparency overlay (allowing either AR or VR) , earphones in the temple bars, and EEG pickups. It'd take a little practice to move your virtual finger around with your thoughts, and making it sleek enough not to look like a dork when wearing it would be a challenge, but the tech required is mostly incremental on what we already have. The display would have to go transparent in case of power loss or crash though, so as not to be a hazard; requiring physical alpha and backlight channels.
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