Samsung files a gaming phone patent... again

If we didn't know better, we'd say Samsung really wants to develop some type of hybrid gaming / phone device. One need only look back on the plethora of patent applications from the electronics-maker to realize that something game-related is going on over at HQ. Whatever the case may be, the Korean company has applied for another iteration of device, this time taking a more modular approach to the layout of buttons and screen. In this new configuration, a RAZR-like clamshell would actually house a swiveling screen which allows the unit to flip open, thus placing the display squarely between two "wings." The resulting arrangement would be a symmetrical device that would encourage a more familiar hand position for gamers. Of course, like those other designs, these are just images on paper -- though it does spark the imagination considerably.

[Via Unwired View]

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:41AM]

Thank you for the link! Very relevant to a Samsung patent article, I was looking for such thing on Engadget all morning long.

[Blackster @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:44AM]

that just looks weird. you probably need a minute or more to unfold it!

[Richy @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:14AM]

*That's* the game. The phone was designed by Rubik.

[God @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:47AM]

Your very welcome. Remember to Love Give and Live

God :o)

[Ryan Trevisol @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:29PM]

What if God was one of us?

Just a slob like one of us?

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:50AM]

I've been seeing lots of patents from lots of companies lately, and it all feels like if the next big thing is games on mobiles! I was just wondering why isn't anybody coming up with a new multi touch technology to be used on mobile phones for gaming? or did Apple really take the whole cake with touch stuff? I would love to see some gaming on a multi touch screen, wither it was Apple or any other company, it would be neat and games are going to be very creative.

[derX @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:58AM]

" or did Apple really take the whole cake with touch stuff?"

Well, I do not own an iPhone or iPod Touch, though I've played with the former a bit, but a constant complaint is that there's no tactile feedback. I'm not serious gamer, but when I'm playing, I *need* to feel that I've hit that "X" button; having to constantly look at the controls to make sure the correct button has been pressed would seriously hurt the gaming experience.


However, multitouch + gaming = awesome

Though, probably, multitouch + gaming = patented

[Ryan Trevisol @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:51AM]

*yawn*

. . . looks complicated.

[derX @ Feb 22nd 2008 8:53AM]

God frequents Engadget?

This doesn't surprise me.

....and makes irrelevant posts?

This does.

[blarvh @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:00AM]

Looks fragile.

[JayMonster @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:05AM]

With all the patents flying around, my guess is that this is actually going to hinder and not help promote the actual creation of a working device. Sure, Samsung has patented every design that they have thought of. And should anybody else come up with anything that even remotely resembles anything that they have dreamed up to this point, it is off to patent court they go, in search of ongoing residuals. It is a nasty way to get revenue from a gaming phone without actually developing one that works and/or sells.

[derX @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:07AM]

I don't know about this, I do see two design flaws, though:

1) Screen doesn't seem to be large enough for this to be a gaming phone--versus just being a phone that plays games. I do realize that this is just a patent, but for a clamshell phone, to make the screen sufficiently large, the phone would be too large.

2) Clamshell phones close when both halves have pressure applied to them. For this patented device to be held, it would require the player to do hold it thus. It would have to open to 180 degrees and have some sort of lock function to keep it like that.


But these are just some major design flaws, like Samsung would ever release a phone with those.

[bob sakamano @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:09AM]

would you say samsung had a plethora of patents?

[Rynth @ Feb 22nd 2008 9:34AM]

Well, he is an non-existent omnipotent, omnipresent deity.

Wouldn't surprise me if he's a apple fanboy too.

[Jon Doe. @ Feb 22nd 2008 10:03AM]

Look on the bright side. At least God doesn't do those dumb does it run Doom or does it blend posts. At least God has some style.

[DssTrainer @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:02PM]

Samsung has the most brilliant designers... I just wish we'd see more of their stuff here in the states.. This would be awesome to turn a 2-halved phone into a 2-halves + shifted screen for gaming, then back to normal phone when done.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 23rd 2008 10:08AM]

yeah i can see how brilliant their designers are , they frickin made a rubix cube outta the phone.



electronic design ....only APPLE & SONY.

[DssTrainer @ Feb 23rd 2008 10:42AM]

Rubix cube was one of the most advanced designs of the century. You just proved my point. Apple has no design.. White, plain is a bit overdone.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 23rd 2008 10:04AM]

why dont they even make it even more complex with more buttons and more places from where the screen can be bent . Maybe thats what samsung means by a gaming phone......just twist around the screen and figure out how to use the phone !

[Johan S @ Feb 22nd 2008 1:44PM]

Just license the DS form factor from Nintendo

1) and put a WVGA touchscreen on the outside.

2) Then, make sure the internal primary LCD (can be non touch) should be made WVGA ie, wider (the touchscreen LCD on between the buttons probably doesn't need to be made wider).

3) try to make the whole thing thinner .. tech has advanced right?

[Hraefn @ Feb 22nd 2008 3:10PM]

A transforming phone? Since when did Samsung get their hands on the All Spark?