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Apple's tireless work on the further development of iPhone and other devices should be familiar to every fan by now. Apple patents provide a good insight into Apple's world of ideas. A patent discovered a few weeks ago now reveals an iPhone with a side screen.
The Apple patent titled "Electronic Devices with Side Displays" describes a technology that allows the installation of a side display. The description states:
Electronic devices may be provided that include flexible displays that are bent to form displays on multiple surfaces of the devices. Curved flexible displays may be bent to form displays on the front and edges. Edge displays may be separated from front-facing displays or other edge displays by patterned housing elements, printed or painted masks, or by selective activation and deactivation of the display pixels associated with the flexible display. Edge displays may alternately function as virtual buttons, virtual switches, or as information displays that complement the front-facing displays. Virtual buttons may include transparent button elements, lenses, haptic feedback components, audio feedback components, or other elements for providing feedback to a user upon virtual button activation.
Not the first patent of this kind
The patent with the identifier #10521034 is by no means the first of its kind. Apple has already registered a number of designs that focus on an iPhone with a side screen. Cupertino seems to be pursuing the goal of developing an iPhone with a side display. This could have input/output functions and replace physical buttons such as the volume and lock buttons. Of course, such technology would offer other possibilities. It could also increase water resistance. But the special thing is that Apple does not want a smartphone with multiple displays like Samsung has already done. This patent proves that Apple is working on a large screen that directly covers the sides of the device. According to the patent, Apple also seems to already have ideas for possible uses. The patent description states:
For example, the user interface elements on the side panel of an electronic device can be rearranged to support user input in different operating modes of the electronic device. Virtual buttons on the edge of a device can be provided in place of tactile input/output components such as physical buttons and switches, or can be formed as part of a dummy switch structure or other mechanical features.
In general, a side screen on the iPhone would be similar to the well-known Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro. Users could assign individual keys and the side display would adapt depending on the application. The idea actually sounds pretty good - but as is always the case with patents, in the end it could just remain an idea. (Photo by ElenaYakimova / Bigstockphoto)
