Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Xiaomi Reveals Dual-Folding Flexible Phone in Teaser Video
Amidst increasing hype about foldable displays, Xiaomi has revealed that it is also working on its own flexible phone.
The Chinese mobile maker broke the news with a teaser video posted on Weibo that shows Xiaomi president and co-founder Lin Bin using what at first looks like a normal tablet device, until he folds back both sides of the display so that it resembles a distinctly phone-like form factor.
The physical power button is side-mounted on the device when in landscape orientation, which places it in a top-center location when in phone mode. In a neat touch, the size and orientation of the user interface also automatically adjusts in order to conform to the new dimensions of the display.
In a message accompanying the post, Bin wrote that the device is the result of the company overcoming technical challenges relating to folding displays, foldable hinges, flexible covers, and UI adaptation.
Bin admitted that what he hopes will become "the world's first dual-folding phone" is still just a prototype at this stage, but said that the company will consider mass producing it if the response from consumers is positive. Bin floated two possible names for the phone – the Mi Dual Flex and the Mi MIX Flex – although he said Xiaomi is open to suggestions from the public.
Last year, Samsung showed off its new Infinity Flex display technology in a device that features a 7.3-inch flexible display that can be folded in half. The company said it had developed an advanced composite polymer that's "flexible and tough" to replace the glass that's usually used as a display cover in smartphones.
Samsung is expected to formally announce its first commercially available foldable phone during its Galaxy S10 event on February 20 in San Francisco, California.
Rumors that Apple is developing an iPhone with a foldable display stretch back to December 2016, when it was reported that LG's display division would begin mass-producing foldable displays for smartphones as early as 2018. Apple was said to have chosen to work with LG Display and not Samsung out of fears that Samsung could get ahold of the sensitive tech.
LG is said to have created a dedicated task force to start developing a foldable OLED display for a future iPhone, while its siser company LG Innotek has a team developing a rigid flexible printed circuit board or (RFPCB) to go along with it.
LG has shown off several foldable display prototypes over recent years, including one that folds over like a book and a second that rolls up much like a newspaper.
The Chinese mobile maker broke the news with a teaser video posted on Weibo that shows Xiaomi president and co-founder Lin Bin using what at first looks like a normal tablet device, until he folds back both sides of the display so that it resembles a distinctly phone-like form factor.
The physical power button is side-mounted on the device when in landscape orientation, which places it in a top-center location when in phone mode. In a neat touch, the size and orientation of the user interface also automatically adjusts in order to conform to the new dimensions of the display.
In a message accompanying the post, Bin wrote that the device is the result of the company overcoming technical challenges relating to folding displays, foldable hinges, flexible covers, and UI adaptation.
Bin admitted that what he hopes will become "the world's first dual-folding phone" is still just a prototype at this stage, but said that the company will consider mass producing it if the response from consumers is positive. Bin floated two possible names for the phone – the Mi Dual Flex and the Mi MIX Flex – although he said Xiaomi is open to suggestions from the public.
Last year, Samsung showed off its new Infinity Flex display technology in a device that features a 7.3-inch flexible display that can be folded in half. The company said it had developed an advanced composite polymer that's "flexible and tough" to replace the glass that's usually used as a display cover in smartphones.
Samsung is expected to formally announce its first commercially available foldable phone during its Galaxy S10 event on February 20 in San Francisco, California.
Rumors that Apple is developing an iPhone with a foldable display stretch back to December 2016, when it was reported that LG's display division would begin mass-producing foldable displays for smartphones as early as 2018. Apple was said to have chosen to work with LG Display and not Samsung out of fears that Samsung could get ahold of the sensitive tech.
LG is said to have created a dedicated task force to start developing a foldable OLED display for a future iPhone, while its siser company LG Innotek has a team developing a rigid flexible printed circuit board or (RFPCB) to go along with it.
LG has shown off several foldable display prototypes over recent years, including one that folds over like a book and a second that rolls up much like a newspaper.
Tag: Xiaomi
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Top Rated Comments
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22 weeks ago
Wonder how that plastic screen would look after a couple of months, probably full och scratches due to the soft material.
22 weeks ago
Looks cool, and bonus points for thinking of making a trifold.
With any folding screen though, I’d want to wait and see how durable they turn out to be before considering a purchase.
With any folding screen though, I’d want to wait and see how durable they turn out to be before considering a purchase.
22 weeks ago
I mean if that isn’t innovative I don’t know what is. Looks pretty good to me and will only get better as years go on. We need something new after these last 5 years of basically speed increases to the point it doesn’t matter anymore and some decent camera upgrades.
22 weeks ago
Why waste the space on the back? If there was just one fold you could use both sides.
The problem with all these designs is there has to be some movement in the screen to allow for the fold or you get a crease - think of the dust jacket on a book. This means the screen is never going to look or feel as good as a normal touchscreen. While I'm sure there will be some applications for this tech, solid screen devices are going to remain the most practical for everyday use.
If you've ever used a phone with a plastic screen you'll understand why all modern phones are covered in glass.
The problem with all these designs is there has to be some movement in the screen to allow for the fold or you get a crease - think of the dust jacket on a book. This means the screen is never going to look or feel as good as a normal touchscreen. While I'm sure there will be some applications for this tech, solid screen devices are going to remain the most practical for everyday use.
If you've ever used a phone with a plastic screen you'll understand why all modern phones are covered in glass.
22 weeks ago
That is courage! Not removing a hardware feature most people in the world still use.
22 weeks ago
I'm sure that Apple have been developing ideas for such tech for years, but they have no need to release 'teasers' to up their market share. They tend to work out all the kinks and perfect it before they release anything.
Like AirPower?
22 weeks ago
I think all this folding of oled screens is not what apple is after ... yet.
That plastic makes it look very cheap , and not durable.
My guess is that apple is betting on micro led displays, they have been researching this tech for 3 to 4 years now, since they took over luxvue.
And judging Samsung’s demo of microled at CES , they will be able to seamlessly make 1 screen out of more screens, since it is bezelles. So you can make a more solid and premium device without the plastic, glare, etc.
That plastic makes it look very cheap , and not durable.
My guess is that apple is betting on micro led displays, they have been researching this tech for 3 to 4 years now, since they took over luxvue.
And judging Samsung’s demo of microled at CES , they will be able to seamlessly make 1 screen out of more screens, since it is bezelles. So you can make a more solid and premium device without the plastic, glare, etc.
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