According to some voices, 2023 will be the year of foldable smartphones and laptops. Samsung's plans in this area for next year are not entirely clear, but from previous demonstrations by its display division Samsung Display, it is clear that it has been experimenting with flexible display technology applied to various form factors, including laptops. Now, it appears that he has been granted another patent for a foldable laptop design.
Foldable notebook looks like exactly how we would imagine such a device: it has a large flexible screen that can be bent in the middle, much like a jigsaw puzzle Galaxy From Fold4 when used in Flex mode. The lower part of the display can accommodate a virtual keyboard and trackpad, while its upper, vertical half is reserved for displaying content.
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This patented concept design is strikingly similar to the device design Galaxy The Book Fold 17 that Samsung unveiled at SID 2021. However, the patented design appears to have a narrower aspect ratio than the device, making it appear large Galaxy From Fold4. Anyway, it's worth noting that while this patent was published this week, it was allegedly filed several years ago. So this is an idea that Samsung has had in its head for some time.
As for the very concept of a flexible laptop, this design would figuratively benefit from its flexibility. The bottom of the display could turn into virtually any tool, from virtual keyboards to other types of input devices, color palettes for photo-editing apps, or buttons and knobs for music-making software.
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It sounds good, but the question is whether it would be practical. Apple tried something similar, albeit on a much more limited scale, with touch bars on the MacBook, but eventually gave up, realizing that physical function keys and hotkeys were more practical and useful for professional users.
However, Samsung may want to show that it can apply its cutting-edge flexible display technology to multiple form factors, so a laptop could be its "next big thing" in this area. Or perhaps it will be scrolling phone? How it will turn out in the end, we may see soon.
