Apple has consistently impressed its admirers with groundbreaking innovations. However, the company has, until now, refrained from entering the foldable device market. But not anymore, as sources suggest Apple is developing a “stretchable display”.
These speculations intensified after a recent patent filing by Apple hinted at this new technology. If realized, this could lead to screens that seamlessly wrap around surfaces while retaining the visual brilliance of OLED displays.
Apple’s Stretchable Screen Patent
While Apple has been experimenting with foldable phone prototypes for some time, it has yet to release a product. The company’s shift towards ‘stretchable displays’ could revolutionize the tech industry. The patent application, aptly titled ‘Stretchable Display,’ lists an unusually high number of inventors, 55 (usually the number ranges between 1-10). Many of these inventors are based in California or Taiwan, where Apple research centers are located.
The patent is concise as well, comprising 13 images and only 22 pages. “What those pages concentrate on, though, are the specifics of having a display with a stretchable portion with hermetically sealed rigid pixel islands,” reports Apple Insider. The whole patent application is light on examples of how stretchable displays could be used.”
The patent begins by outlining how Apple envisions this technology being applied to a wide range of devices. Some pages detail the significance of having a “stretchable portion with hermetically sealed rigid pixel islands.” However, the document provides little insight into the potential applications of stretchable displays.
That said, it offers some suggestions on how Apple intends to extend this patent to cover every type of device. Essentially, it discusses the importance of stretchable displays for laptops, computers, and cellular phones.
Stretchable Displays
The patent also mentions smaller devices like wristwatches, pendants, headphones, earphones, and other wearables. Many experts believe that stretchable displays could prove even more practical than foldable ones. This could mean an iPhone with a foldable inner screen and a stretchable outer screen.
Last year, Apple revealed that it wanted to make an Apple Watch with a screen that wraps around the wrist. Stretchable displays could be the solution to this challenge, potentially offering greater benefits and convenience to consumers.
As of now, there is only one application for the patent. Of course, not all patents become a reality, especially in the case of tech companies like Apple, which file numerous patents every year.
The Future of Stretchable Displays
The potential applications of stretchable displays extend far beyond what we can currently imagine. From wearables that contour perfectly to our bodies, to screens that can adapt to any surface, the technology promises to enhance user experience in unprecedented ways. While it remains to be seen when or if Apple will bring.
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