Is Microsoft gearing as much as make one other try within the foldable smartphone market after the failure of its Floor Duo? A current patent suggests they may be. Initially revealed in 2021, this patent hinted at the potential of a third-generation Floor Duo. Nonetheless, new updates to the patent have introduced it again into the highlight, sparking recent hypothesis about Microsoft’s plans.
Microsoft: A New Strategy to Foldables
In response to the patent, Microsoft is creating a brand new sort of foldable system that would remedy most of the issues seen in in the present day’s foldable telephones. As an alternative of the dual-screen design of the unique Floor Duo, this new idea would characteristic a single foldable display screen. The system might fold each inward and outward, which is completely different from most foldable telephones that usually solely fold inward.
One of many main points with present foldables is the looks of creases on the display screen the place it folds. Microsoft’s answer is intelligent: the patent describes a system the place extra display screen materials might be hidden throughout the system’s chassis because it folds, stopping seen creases or dips. Reaching this could contain superior manufacturing strategies, akin to moist etching and laser reducing, in keeping with the patent particulars.
Microsoft’s Troubled Historical past in Cell
Microsoft’s journey within the cell phone market has been rocky. The corporate first entered the area with its Home windows Cell software program, but it surely struggled to compete when Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android telephones arrived. Home windows Cell was designed for older resistive touchscreens, which used a stylus, whereas the iPhone and Android telephones have been optimized for contemporary capacitive touchscreens that may very well be managed by finger faucets.
By the point Microsoft launched its new Home windows Cellphone 7, which was a whole redesign of the software program, it was too late. Apple and Android have been already dominating the market, and Microsoft couldn’t break via as a serious participant. Even buying Nokia Cell, one of many greatest telephone producers on the time, didn’t assist. Ultimately, Microsoft gave up on its cellular working system fully.
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The Floor Duo Experiment
In 2020, after a number of years away from the cellular market, Microsoft made a shocking transfer by launching the Floor Duo. This time, as an alternative of utilizing its personal software program, the system ran on Android. The Floor Duo was technically a foldable telephone, but it surely had a unique design than the foldables we’re used to in the present day. It had two separate screens linked by a hinge, permitting it to fold 360 levels.
Whereas the concept was revolutionary, the Floor Duo confronted a number of issues. It was costly, had software program limitations, and didn’t get a lot promotion. Because of this, it didn’t catch on with shoppers. Microsoft launched a second model, the Floor Duo 2, which had some enhancements, but it surely nonetheless failed to realize vital traction. Rumors a few Floor Duo 3 with a versatile OLED display screen started to flow into, however the mission was ultimately canceled.
Will Microsoft Strive Once more?
The current updates to Microsoft’s patent have sparked some hope that the corporate may be engaged on a brand new foldable system. Nonetheless, it’s vital to take this with a grain of salt. Massive tech corporations like Microsoft file patents on a regular basis, and solely a small share of them ever flip into precise merchandise. Even when this idea doesn’t make it to market, submitting the patent nonetheless has worth. It secures the concept and will result in licensing offers, permitting Microsoft to revenue from its innovation with out ever launching the product.
In some circumstances, patents are extra about defending mental property and future prospects than about speedy product launches.
Conclusion
The current patent updates point out that Microsoft remains to be exploring foldable telephone expertise. Nevertheless it’s unsure if or when a brand new system will probably be launched. The failure of the Floor Duo reveals how difficult it’s to achieve the aggressive cell phone market. Particularly for an organization with a historical past of struggles. Nonetheless, if Microsoft can overcome points like display screen creases and sturdiness, it might be able to return to the market with a tool that stands out and competes successfully.
For now, we are able to solely speculate, but it surely’s clear that Microsoft hasn’t fully deserted its ambitions within the foldable smartphone area. Whether or not this new idea turns into a actuality or stays simply one other concept on paper, it reveals that Microsoft remains to be considering forward and on the lookout for methods to innovate in a difficult market.