A newly-published patent application from Samsung describes a unique slidable smartphone that can take touch inputs from the back surface. The company wants to make it easier to operate the device with one hand when in an extended state.
After foldable phones, slidable phones are seen as the next big evolution in the smartphone industry. These devices will feature a retractable screen that extends when needed. It addresses the bulkiness of foldable smartphones. However, all big-screen devices have a common problem. It’s difficult to operate them with one hand. Samsung wants to make one-handed usage more convenient with this slidable smartphone.
To do that, the company has developed a rear panel that can read touch inputs. Users can control various functions on the extended screen using features on the back panel. Tapping, pressing, and dragging on the back of the phone will let them execute functions. The patent documents reveal that Samsung will offer a “Rear touch function” setting to enable/disable the rear inputs. It has outlined the following five gestures (via):
- Tap – Execute function
- Tap and drag – Move the object
- Double tap and long press – Select the object
- Double tap and press, and drag – Scroll the screen
- Double tap – Enter into the first mode
Of course, this isn’t the final implementation. The device should support more gesture inputs via the rear panel. More importantly, users should be able to customize and configure functions for each gesture. After all, the whole idea is to make controlling big-screen devices easier and give users a more comfortable experience.
This slidable Samsung smartphone is currently just a patent
After pioneering foldable smartphones, Samsung may be looking to steer the industry to a new form factor for mobile devices. Over the past few years, it has showcased various slidable and rollable display prototypes. It has also filed patent applications for many such devices, all of them with some unique approaches or solutions.
However, a slidable or rollable smartphone may still be too far away in the future. Companies often file patents to preserve new ideas that they may never pursue. This slidable phone from Samsung could be one of those. It’s a complex concept that the company may not want to commit resources to just yet. The Korean firm may look back at it later on, though. Perhaps once the slidable phone market gets competitive and users will start looking for devices with enhanced usability.
2023-07-05 15:05:16