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Samsung Explores 360° Dual-Folding Phone in New Patent

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Samsung Patent Reveals Ambitious 360° Foldable Phone Design

Samsung may be preparing to revolutionize the foldable phone market yet again, with a new patent that showcases a device capable of folding both inward and outward. The patent, recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), outlines a sleek, ultra-thin foldable phone design with a 360-degree hinge system. This dual-folding mechanism allows the device to open into a tablet-sized display or fold backwards to function as a secondary cover screen—potentially eliminating the need for an additional outer display altogether.

According to the filing, labeled US 2025/0107013 A1, the phone features a large flexible screen with two distinct folding areas. These hinge points enable the screen to bend in either direction, offering more versatility than the single-direction fold seen in current Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models. The diagrams included in the application reveal how the flexible display can contour smoothly along the device’s frame, suggesting that Samsung has made notable progress in flexible display durability and hinge engineering.

This isn’t Samsung’s first flirtation with dual-folding concepts. Back in 2023, the company unveiled a prototype capable of similar 360-degree folding at tech expos, but no commercial product ever emerged from that concept. The reappearance of this idea in an official patent may signal renewed interest from the company in pushing this design closer to production, although Samsung has not yet announced any plans to launch a device based on this technology.

If brought to market, a phone with full 360-degree folding capability could dramatically simplify foldable phone design by merging both inner and outer displays into a single flexible panel. It could also pave the way for thinner and lighter foldable phones, potentially giving Samsung a significant edge in the next generation of mobile hardware innovation.

Google Patents AI-Powered Smart Glasses Assistant That Tailors Suggestions Based on Gaze and Voice

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Google has recently been granted a patent for a new assistant designed to enhance the functionality of smart glasses. This assistant, which adapts its suggestions based on a user’s gaze or voice input, could significantly improve the experience of using wearables. While Google has previously explored augmented reality (AR) technologies for smart glasses, including its ambitious “Project Iris,” which was ultimately put on hold in favor of collaborating with other hardware partners, this new assistant technology might find its way into future products, whether AR glasses or other wearable devices.

The concept behind this patent is an automated assistant capable of providing real-time suggestions and interactions based on what the user is focusing on or saying. The system utilizes the smart glasses’ built-in sensors to track the user’s gaze and detect voice commands, then adapts its responses accordingly. For example, if a user is looking at a specific object, the assistant could offer information about it, or if the user asks a question, the assistant could provide a tailored answer. This level of customization would be an important step in making wearable technology more intuitive and responsive to everyday interactions.

In the patent filing, titled “Adapting assistant suggestions rendered at computerized glasses according to changes in user gaze and/or other user input,” Google explains that the assistant could utilize both visual and auditory data. This dual input allows the system to offer suggestions that are highly relevant to the user’s current environment. The glasses would continuously track the user’s focus, enabling them to receive helpful notifications, directions, or contextual information about objects or places they are engaging with in real-time.

While Google has not explicitly confirmed if these capabilities will be rolled out in a future product, the patent provides a glimpse into how the company envisions enhancing the user experience of wearable tech. With advancements in artificial intelligence, this technology could lead to smarter, more personalized devices that seamlessly integrate into daily life, helping users stay connected, informed, and engaged without the need for constant interaction with their phones or other devices.

Apple Patents Innovative Hinge Design for Foldable Devices Featuring Interlocked Fingers and Friction Clutch Mechanism

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Apple has recently secured a patent for an innovative hinge design aimed at foldable devices, signaling the company’s continued exploration into foldable screen technology. While Apple has yet to release its first foldable device, this patent suggests that the company is actively working on creating foldable smartphones, tablets, and even computers. This marks a significant step in the company’s development, especially as its competitors, such as Samsung and Huawei, have already launched their own foldable models with multi-display setups. Apple’s design focuses on creating a reliable and functional hinge that could enhance the durability and user experience of foldable devices.

The hinge mechanism described in the patent is designed to prevent excessive rotation, offering a solution to one of the main concerns in foldable device design: durability. According to the patent, the hinge consists of several interconnected links that rotate relative to each other, enabling the folding and unfolding of the device. This movement is controlled through a friction clutch mechanism, which features interlocked ‘fingers’ that fit into crescent-shaped slots. This setup ensures that the device’s hinge does not extend beyond a certain limit, which could potentially damage the flexible display or affect the device’s longevity.

The design also includes a flexible display divided into two sections, which would bend around the axis of the hinge. This configuration suggests that Apple may be aiming to create foldable devices that maintain a seamless and consistent user experience when transitioning between the device’s unfolded and folded states. The patent further outlines that the hinge is designed to maintain smooth motion while preventing unnecessary strain on the display, which is essential for the long-term use of foldable gadgets.

Although Apple has not confirmed any product release date, this patent is a clear indication of the company’s efforts to catch up with the growing foldable market. By refining the hinge design and focusing on durability, Apple may be preparing to enter the foldable device space with a product that addresses some of the common challenges faced by current models. If successful, this innovation could pave the way for more refined, long-lasting foldable devices in the future, allowing Apple to bring its own unique offerings to the foldable category.