Attempts of patenting a device which makes use of a flexible display and hinge transforming a phone into a tablet are underway at Microsoft. A discovery made by MSPoweruser, the patent filings, shows that Microsoft is experimenting with the concept in order to release a similar device in the future.
The diagrams and notes that come alongside show a large smartphone that can be bent and folded to transform into a tablet. Another design feature is the tent more which is currently found in the Yoga tablets range of Lenovo.
Similar to the original Courier concept design of Microsoft, there are modes to enable the extension of two or three screens to flatten out and extend, hence making the device bigger. The phone patent was originally filed by Microsoft in late 2014.
Although there are multiple inventions patented by Microsoft that never see the light of day as final products, the foldable phone context is important. The inventor of the patent, Kabir Siddiqui, has previously successfully patented the Surface kickstand and Surface camera angle for Microsoft.
Rumors have been going around that Microsoft is keen on bringing to the market a Surface Phone this year. However, for the Surface devices, the company has continually refrained from any traditional form factors. This recent patent could prove that Microsoft is actually deciding to eventually return to phones allowing users an experience that expands to more than just a smartphone.
The Surface Studio device leaked a few months ago revealing the precise design approach of the 2-in-1 PC. However, it is not likely that the leak is actually the final design of the Surface Phone that is rumored to be released by the software maker.
The concept device might actually shed light on the company's approach to mobile communication devices and smartphones specifically after it retreated from the market last year.
