Why Is This iPhone Wraparound Patent Causing a Stir?
Apple recently applied for a patent for a new iPhone. While the company has been filing patent applications for new iPhones for several years, this particular design caused a small stir in the tech world. Instead of showing the standard rectangular glass display, this patent application had a diagram showing the screen wrapped around the entire phone. This design could completely revolutionize the way that people use their smartphones and ensure Apple’s place as a tech innovator.
With this innovation, Apple users could do a lot more with their phones. To start, the “hardwired” buttons, such as the volume controls, would now become part of each app instead of mounted to the surface of the phone. This would allow every app to have their own set of controls, rather than relying on the limited functionality of “hard” buttons. The phone itself would be completely encased by the wraparound screen, eliminating the edges and borders that currently exist.
Of course, eliminating hard buttons is only the beginning of the advantages of this new design. With a screen that wraps around the entire device, the phone becomes functional to more people than just the user. Apps that display on both sides of the device would allow a group of people to use the device simultaneously. This opens a lot of possibilities for gaming, photography, and educational apps. For example, photographs could now be displayed on the side of the device facing the subject, eliminating the need to stop the action of a moment to “check” how a picture turned out.
It’s important to note, however, that just because Apple has filed for a patent on this technology that it won’t necessarily be coming to the market anytime in the near future. Apple is notorious for patenting ideas, only to decide later on that they are not feasible or marketable.