Apple patent application hints at iPhone flip phone
By Donald Melanson 
posted Mar 17th 2008 11:33AM
posted Mar 17th 2008 11:33AM
You'll have to take this one with the usual patent application caveats but, as Unwired View reports, one of Apple's recent filings seems to indicate that it has at least considered the possibility of an iPhone flip phone of sorts, among other dual-screen possibilities. The application itself is for what's described as a "dual sided trackpad," which would be translucent and boast touch sensitive panels on each side, allowing it to be used both when it's opened or when it's covering the main display. In the case of the iPhone, that would seem to offer yet another option for the oft-discussed iPhone nano, but the patent application doesn't stop there, with it also offering up possibilities for laptops and tablets based around the technology. In the former case, the touchpad would open up a small window on the main display, allowing it to work like a SideShow display, while the tablet would boast a touchscreen encompassing the entire display. Needless to say, we wouldn't recommend getting your hopes up for any of that just yet but, if you want to whet your appetite a bit further, you can get a rough idea of what they might look like by hitting up the read link below.
OH MY GOD I'M GONNA CUM!!!!!!
While you are doing that, try eating the Microsoft chips and do keep the vista toilet paper handy please..
Just a suggestion.
OH MY GOD YOU'RE A MORON!!!
Seriously......turn the computer off and get a girlfriend. Even a blow up doll would be 1 setup above where you currently reside.
OH MY GOD I couldn't give a shit.
I think he was being sarcastic ...
Like Maddox on the 4th pic : http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone
Dude, this is only a patent ... and btw, premature ejaculation is not a good thing ....
Fom now on, if someone is being sarcastic, please write *sarcasm in the post?
Its so much easier that ways!
Fom now on, if someone is being sarcastic, please write *sarcasm in the post?
Its so much easier that ways!
We have a winner!
It seems that only Alex has managed to spot the fact that this is, almost certainly, sarcasm.
Congratulations Alex, you win this week's grand prize - a sense of self-satisfaction in knowing you're smarter than everyone else who replied to John.
What a coincidence, John!
Before I had even seen the comments, I was about to remark that these constant Apple patent updates have become masturbatory.
Way to preclude me!
dugg
http://digg.com/apple/Apple_patent_application_hints_at_iPhone_flip_phone
No one cares.
Damn spammer.
Go digg yourself a hole and stay there.
They stole my design!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/holleboom/2214540387/
Man what's with all the stand alone calculators?
Concept already been done by AU. Called the "actface"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lQXncWSfGc&eurl=http://ohgizmo.com/2007/08/06/au-triple-screen-phone-still-lacks-something/
Also the "DS Phone" is already on sale in Japan. Has two touch screens.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ds-phone-not-by-nintendo/
Concept already been done by AU. Called the "actface"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lQXncWSfGc&eurl=http://ohgizmo.com/2007/08/06/au-triple-screen-phone-still-lacks-something/
Also the "DS Phone" is already on sale in Japan. Has two touch screens.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ds-phone-not-by-nintendo/
iPhone DS!!!
no apple actually came up the technology the DS uses years before Nintendo came out with it, Apple just wanted to wait to make sure they got the technology perfect.
apple copies off noone
Lest we forget Xerox PARC.
This reminded me of something... Remember that one mockup back from like a month before the real one was unveiled?
http://www.crunchgear.com/2006/12/21/is-this-the-apple-iphone-called-the-iphone/
It looks like the same principle (though the fake was a candybar).
The best phone would be a DS form factor. touchscreen ON THE OUTSIDE (wide vga or better ..so the outwside can be uused just like a phone without having to flip it open), and the top inside screen should be wide also (but doesnt have to be touch sensitive). the bottom screen can be the same size or made rectangular so it won't look weird I guess .. but the buttons should be there on the side for gaming.
Yeah so I am talking about a phone with at least 3 displays total.
And it should be thin ..this is key .. as thin as the iPhone (come on the iPhone is soon a year old).
i want GTA IV for PC
Lmao, well said.
Jobs... UVE DONE IT AGAIN!!
What exactly is it that he's done?
Oh wait.....right....hired someone as a patent troll to come up with ideas which may or may not ever see the light of day.
But yes.....Bravo Steve, you've done it again!
Nintendo fanatics will jump for joy or stomp in disdain for what they see as either an ideal copy or copy cat.
Oh, so basically what Apple fans do on just about everything then?
SNAP!
OH*
@ssuk
You mean what the fans of technology that apple "borrows' does all of the time? Right? Apple does polish its stuff up though so it would fall under ideal copy most of the time.
I would buy this on launch day.
*Really* old news
http://www.oreillynet.com/mac/blog/images/FirstApplePhone.gif
looks like a girl's makeup case at that width..
Very nice. iPod Flip maybe lol.
Yeah,
I don't know if this means anything, but on the Apple Store website,
at the bottom where it says something about recycling your ipods and computers,
it says something along the lines of "Send in your iPod or mobile phone to Apple"
they only make* one phone, the iPhone.
Why else would they say mobile phone?
*winks*
Actually it’s probably just a step for Apple to seem more Green than before. Apple has been criticized in the past for non-Green practices.
Sorry but I am not a fan of flip phones. If I recall correctly, there is someone out there that had something very similar up last year. Anyone know???
The AU 'Actface' mentioned by Temple further up the page, perhaps?
Wow, this is amazing. The first iProduct without rounded corners.
I dont understand why you have to draw the "2", wouldn't it just be easier to push a button that represents the "2".
You don't have to, it just allows multiple input methods.
Decent touchscreens phones like the LG Viewty already have the option of using either method.
Doesn't look like a "flip" phone to me. Looks like what the industry calls a "clamshell". A "flip" phone is one of those types of phones where the bottom part "flips" out, revealing the keypad. Ignorance stops with you.
Anyway the best phone would be a DS form factor. touchscreen ON THE OUTSIDE (wide vga or better ..so the outwside can be uused just like a phone without having to flip it open), and the top inside screen should be wide also (but doesnt have to be touch sensitive). the bottom screen can be the same size or made rectangular so it won't look weird I guess .. but the buttons should be there on the side for gaming.
Yeah so I am talking about a phone with at least 3 displays total.
This concept is obvious. Anyway the best phone would be a DS form factor. touchscreen ON THE OUTSIDE (wide vga or better ..so the outwside can be uused just like a phone without having to flip it open), and the top inside screen should be wide also (but doesnt have to be touch sensitive). the bottom screen can be the same size or made rectangular so it won't look weird I guess .. but the buttons should be there on the side for gaming.
Yeah so I am talking about a phone with at least 3 displays total.
And it should be thin ..this is key .. as thin as the iPhone.
go away
It would be cool if they make it, but there's something about the current iPhone design that I just love.
iFlip?
iFlop?
vote now.
Donald - all gold. Read full patent application here
http://www.messagedance.com/message/show/d7785a16c585aba026ceffb9238bcdb8
Oh my Lord, it has two screens and it folds! It must be copying the DS!
Who needs patent trolls when you have rampant, unobservant fanboys?