Patent shows what the Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite could look like

While patents don't necessarily show final products, they do offer us a hint of what's possibly coming. A license granted to Samsung by the US Patent and Trademark Office gives us a sneak peek at the potential design of the rumoured Galaxy S10 Lite. The specs still seem to be similar to the upcoming Galaxy A91, but the design is a cross between the Galaxy S10+ and S9.

The front features a dual-camera setup in that punch-hole display style on the upper right corner, while at the back, there is two camera setup as well, but the sensors are placed vertically with an LED light on the right. Now, whether Samsung sticks to this design or not, we'll have to wait and see. 

Source: SamMobile

Google patent shows a foldable ‘smart book’ with multiple screens

A patent Google filed back in 2018 was recently discovered and it takes on the idea of foldable devices in a different direction. Instead of having just one internal screen, this patent toys with the idea of having multiple screens, making it look like a “smart book.” Perhaps, it’s trying to re-define the idea of an e-reader or giving you different screens for different tasks. For now, there isn’t any indication Google is developing this concept into a concrete product. But it’s interesting to see what a multi-screen device could look like.

When folded up, it would have solid, non-flexible screens for both the cover and the back to make it more rigid. The tech relies heavily on the hinge with it both anchoring the screens to the device and helping it move as well as having essential components hidden within it. The patent shows thick internal panels for the screens with these set very close together. Distances between the screens range from 1mm to only 0.005mm between each screen. However, this won’t be ideal to head into production, the weight alone would be prohibitive right from the start. Again, for now, this remains a concept. But with how foldable screen technology has been progressing, we won’t be surprised if this becomes an actual product. And we won’t be surprised if Google leads the charge.

Source: Digital Trends

Apple patent shows the company thought of putting a camera in the Apple Watch’s band

Image: Apple / USPTO

A patent that Apple applied for back in 2016 has been brought back into the spotlight, suggesting the company looked into integrating a camera into its smartwatch. Apple’s approach was to put it at the end of the Watch’s strap, allowing you to twist and turn the camera to take any photo you need it to without having to contort your wrist into awkward positions.

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Will selfie cameras be hidden behind the screen? Samsung patent seems to think so

Patent drawings showing what it'll look like with the selfie camera, earpiece, and sensors placed behind the screen

With bezels continuously shrinking, placing key components are becoming a bit of an issue. We’ve seen recently how the fingerprint sensor is being moved behind the glass display, are front cameras next? A new Samsung patent suggests so. They take this a step further by moving even the earpiece as well as proximity and ambient light sensors. Xiaomi tried putting the earpiece below the screen with the Mi Mix but it apparently didn’t sound great. But no one has attempted to put the selfie camera behind the glass. We aren’t sure the technology exists just yet.

An early patent, which has been referenced by Samsung, Apple, LG, and others, suggests a transparent OLED that has a high refresh rate and could turn the screen on and off to let the camera have a look during inactive periods. But for now we have to wait and see if this ever comes into fruition. Perhaps it might but it’s too early to tell. For now we need to live with notches and weirdly placed cameras as a response to slimmer bezels.

Source: GSMArena