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IBM Patents Smartwatch that Transforms into Giant Awkward Tablet Screen on Your Wrist

posted by martyb on Wednesday July 10 2019, @05:43AM   Printer-friendly
from the You've-got-to-know-when-to-hold-'em,-know-when-to-fold-'em dept.

MrPlow writes:

Submitted via IRC for AndyTheAbsurd

Instead of maximizing pixel density to fit more info on a smartwatch's tiny screen, IBM has patented a radically different approach that promises to change how we think about wrist wearables completely. But given the trouble companies have had with rolling out expanding screen smartphones, it's hard to imagine this wearable ever being technically feasible.

[...] the patent describes a unique expanding screen system using sliding panels hidden beneath the wearable's main housing. The panels can be removed and connected to expand the wearable's screen real estate into something closer to what a smartphone affords through a four-by-four array, allowing you to display more widgets or to open more capable applications. But why stop there? IBM's patent suggests the modular screen could be expanded with up to eight connected panels, resulting in a display as large as a phone or small tablet awkwardly perched on your wrist.

Source: https://gizmodo.com/ibm-patents-a-smartwatch-that-transforms-into-a-giant-a-1836211325

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 10 2019, @06:16AM (8 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 10 2019, @06:16AM (#865299)
    They're just patenting it so they can collect tolls if someone else actually implements it and it somehow becomes popular enough. Patent tolling? ;)

    To me augmented reality glasses would eliminate the need for such watches (and reduce the need for physically large screens) and the watches you'd wear would be for decorative/fashion purposes or for specialized sectors where AR glasses are not viable (e.g. diving watch).
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  • (Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday July 10 2019, @06:21AM

    by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Wednesday July 10 2019, @06:21AM (#865303) Journal

    AR glasses are a good idea. We could even have hybrid AR/VR glasses (retinal projection, cover to block light). But a smartwatch might be nice if it could project a hologram (movie style).

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  • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday July 10 2019, @07:20AM (6 children)

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 10 2019, @07:20AM (#865306) Journal

    To me augmented reality glasses would eliminate the need for such watches (and reduce the need for physically large screens) and the watches you'd wear would be for decorative/fashion purposes or

    I wouldn't mind a wide cuff or even vambrace [wikipedia.org] form tablet though. I suspect it would be easier to achieve than a truly foldable form, and one could even fit a physical keyboard - slide out or not.
    Granted, should be rugged enough - thicker gorilla glass (leading to thicker gorilla arm).

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    • (Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday July 10 2019, @07:35AM (5 children)

      by takyon (881) <takyonNO@SPAMsoylentnews.org> on Wednesday July 10 2019, @07:35AM (#865307) Journal

      How about a full powered exoskeleton suit, with a display covering the entire body, allowing it to display texts, video, optical camouflage, etc.

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      • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Wednesday July 10 2019, @07:50AM (4 children)

        by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 10 2019, @07:50AM (#865309) Journal

        How about a full powered exoskeleton suit, with a display covering the entire body, allowing it to display texts, video, optical camouflage, etc.

        I'm waiting for the P-5000 power loader for ages and it should be simpler than what you describe. Glad I haven't held my breath.

        Besides, a "wide cuff format" for a wearable-tablet is not even a jump ahead of today's technology, so I don't get why your sarcasm (as diluted as it may be).

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