Samsung Says It Will Unveil a Foldable Smartphone this Year (cnbc.com) 36
Samsung will unveil details of a foldable smartphone later this year, the CEO of its mobile division told CNBC, amid rumors that such a device was in the works. From the report: DJ Koh said that "it's time to deliver" on a foldable device after consumer surveys carried out by Samsung showed that there is a market for that kind of handset. Speaking to CNBC, Koh was tight-lipped on how the folding screen could work but ran through the design thinking of the upcoming smartphone, particularly how Samsung is trying to differentiate the experience from a tablet once it is unfolded. "You can use most of the uses ... on foldable status. But when you need to browse or see something, then you may need to unfold it. But even unfolded, what kind of benefit does that give compared to the tablet? If the unfolded experience is the same as the tablet, why would they (consumers) buy it?," Koh said at the IFA electronics show in Berlin last week. Further reading: Samsung Plans To Overhaul Its Smartphone Strategy at the Mid-range Price Point.
More info to come (Score:5, Funny)
..as this story unfolds.
I'll see myself out, sorry.
Re:More info to come (Score:4, Funny)
..as this story unfolds.
I'll see myself out, sorry.
A joke like that's either going to have people doubled over laughing or so angry they're bent out of shape.
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At least it isn't face to face here!
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so... back to the flip phone era? (Score:1)
just a flip phone where the screen spans both halves...
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Introducing... (Score:5, Funny)
The Nintendo DS!
Sounds interesting (Score:2)
I've been hoping to see a foldable device where you could get a larger screen, I wonder if the top will fold open then flip over so as not to waste the smaller screen?
It seems like people might like it for movies, but if there was much of a visible line where the fold was that might put people off.
Re: Sounds interesting (Score:2)
Welcome back, flipphones (Score:2)
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It will be totally lame if you can only bend it a little. Sure it might fit better in a pocket if it can hug your leg but it will still be huge.
Does it unfolds from "small" to "normal"? (Score:3)
If this phone is folded not considerably smaller than the unfoldable bricks they sell today, then I'm not interested.
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that do not fit comfortably in any pocket?
Skinny jeans aren't a good look regardless of what you think.
I could conceivably go for this (Score:4, Informative)
It would, of course, depend on the implementation. And there's no way I'd be buying the gen 1 version of it.
looks interesting (Score:2)
It looks interesting but pretty thick. will make it harder to sneak into work. wonder about the fold, if it will eventually crack and/or cause dead spots.
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The 'touch' pressure is an interesting point! It'd have to be pretty sensitive to respond to finger-touches on a flexible screen that will bend when you press it. Or perhaps the screen could somehow harden when it's straightened out? Perhaps little inflatable tubes?
What's old is new? (Score:3)
History repeats, just stick around long enough, you will see it's true.
Now Flip-phones will be smart ones too..
The obvious answer... (Score:2)
The obvious answer is that you have a tablet when you want a tablet (to work, watch video, etc.), and something that fits in your pocket when you're carrying it around or using it as a handheld phone, so it's more convenient.