Kyocera shows off preposterous, beautiful EOS folding OLED phone concept

We're big fans of reality and feasibility, we swear, but something like this "EOS" concept phone Kyocera was showing off at CTIA is just too good to pass up. The handset folds up into what could roughly be described as a wallet shape, but folds out into two configurations: portrait QWERTY mode (pictured), and full-on widescreen OLED display (after the break). Samsung was showing similar screen-folding folding abilities, but a much less impressive handset, at CES. Things get even wilder, tough, with Kyocera envisioning shape memory keys that can morph flat when not in use, and a kinetic charging method based on piezoelectric generators and Mary Poppins. Sure, our great grandkids are going to have a good laugh at us for thinking this is lovable, but they always were a bunch of theoretical brats. Kyocera plans on implementing some of the concept ideas into its "near future" lineup of devices. We'll see how that pans out.

[Via Inhabitat, photo courtesy of Jeffrey Sass]

[Dez @ Apr 16th 2009 6:28PM]

This looks huge (that's what she said)

But point being, these folding screen sure are exciting. Once the price is right, you can actually carry a decent sized screen with you so that small-ass PMP can die already =D

to hell with eye strain!

[JS @ Apr 16th 2009 6:43PM]

Eyestrain is a non issue .. in normal use .. the fonts can be enlarged .. for web pages .. just hold the display up closer to read webpages without have to side scroll a zoomed view.

With a high enough resolution the human eye can focus to objects 10 inches away with zero eyestrain. That means you can have up to 600 pixels an inch (that's why laser printers are 1200 dpi and above). The iPhone is at 160 pixels an inch (which is why you can see its pixels and eveen the lines between the pixels easily from 12 inches away)

[Dez @ Apr 16th 2009 6:52PM]

i was talking more about watching movie on small PMP screen, like say, an iPod classic.

[Major Dave @ Apr 16th 2009 7:02PM]

> can focus to objects 10 inches away with zero eyestrain...

JS is clearly a person under age 40.

[atriaventrica @ Apr 16th 2009 8:52PM]

actually, the science is starting show that the LOWER the resolution on smaller screens the better a person is able to make out whats being shown. its visual inference.

[Dave @ Apr 17th 2009 1:03PM]

I love the concept, but is anyone else concerned about that crease? I think a groove would start to show after being folded the same way 50+ times... and considering a single dead pixel or speck of lint on my iPhone screen drives me crazy, I can't imagine looking at a folded in crease right down my screen day after day.

Thoughts?

[Jake Paul @ Apr 16th 2009 6:29PM]

I definitely pee'd a little after seeing that second image. WOW. Awesome.

[Juan Marquez @ Apr 16th 2009 6:48PM]

I jizzed

[Connor @ Apr 16th 2009 7:21PM]

In your pants?

[DWells55 @ Apr 16th 2009 7:33PM]

Perfectly normal; nothing wrong with me. But we're going to need a cleanup on aisle three.

[Dez @ Apr 16th 2009 6:30PM]

This looks huge (that's what she said)

But point being, these folding screen sure are exciting. Once the price is right, you can actually carry a decent sized screen with you so that small-ass PMP can die already =D

to hell with eye strain!

[lxuke @ Apr 16th 2009 6:32PM]

i want a a jump suit made out of this stuff

[gouken85 @ Apr 16th 2009 6:36PM]

I want a folding notebook like that in my pocket!
"Let me take my 17-inch macbook pro out of my pocket!"

[Bob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:45PM]

[ gouken85 proceeds to unfold his 10-times-folded-over 17" Macbook Pro ]

[BradS @ Apr 17th 2009 11:34AM]

What's in my pocket just LOOKS like a 17" notebook.....

[Leo @ Apr 16th 2009 6:37PM]

For a phone concept, it is remarkably un-phone-like.

[kevin @ Apr 16th 2009 6:44PM]

looks more like a netbook

[Greg Mcp @ Apr 16th 2009 8:26PM]

Well, that's where we are supposed to be heading. You just want a single Gadget to carry around that does everything you need. Phone, computer, GPS, media player, game console et cetera.

[Information Central @ Apr 17th 2009 1:09AM]

Maybe that's why they named it after Canon cameras.

[Leo @ Apr 17th 2009 1:32AM]

I wouldn't know how to take a picture with it, either... =]

[EC @ Apr 16th 2009 6:48PM]

Very interesting indeed.

Though the last row keys have shifted over one "step" to the left :)

[warpa4 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:50AM]

omg it's ruined, no really

[BradS @ Apr 17th 2009 11:38AM]

You won't be touch-typing on this thing.

[EC @ Apr 17th 2009 12:47PM]

@Bluecold Yes this is a thumb board however you still want the keys be in a place where you expect them to be :)

[Clyde Berry @ Apr 16th 2009 6:42PM]

From the look of the grass in the pics, they must grow this shiny new phone/netbook/thing from seeds planted in the ground.
Gives new meaning to the term Organic LED.

[DiGiC @ Apr 16th 2009 6:53PM]

epic want, like, now.

[Frankenstein Black @ Apr 17th 2009 4:33PM]

Behold the 'holy grail" tech of mobile broadband devices! He who creates and deploy this grail-ish tech first will rule the mobile device next generation. So STOP READING ENGADGET AND GET BACK TO WORK! Don't sit on your azzes and let the fruit beat you to the punch. Remember, all of you old guard device makers are STILL DIZZY FROM THE LAST PUNCH. NOW GO!!!!

[Cheetah @ Apr 16th 2009 6:57PM]

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about right THERE ! ! Newton 2.0

[Josh @ Apr 16th 2009 7:09PM]

WHEN this gets implemented, it will be truly incredible.

[Bob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:42PM]

OLED is EXTREMELY exciting. Animated/changeable wallpaper in your house (Hawaii on a rainy day!), re-usable/video newspaper(s) and TONS more possibilities... I'm pumped!!!

[petenpepsi @ Apr 16th 2009 10:04PM]

Then we can have a "newspaper" like the one in the Harry Potter movies!

[Vishal @ Apr 16th 2009 7:18PM]

Wow, this is definately nice.
If only they would release such a product. )=

[EEaudio08 @ Apr 16th 2009 7:32PM]

looks very iPhone-like, yes?

[kingu @ Apr 16th 2009 7:48PM]

ararararararar

[Abuzar Baloach @ Apr 16th 2009 7:58PM]

No, it looks like something that belongs in Mass Effect.

[Bob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:38PM]

Most definitely, VERY iPhone like. The iPhone in my pocket folds in half twice, has a physical keyboard, has morphing keys and has an OLED display. It's awesome!

[seanchk @ Apr 16th 2009 7:39PM]

"Sure, our great grandkids are going to have a good laugh at us for thinking this is lovable, but they always were a bunch of theoretical brats."

Theoretical brats LMFAO

[turkeshi @ Apr 16th 2009 8:17PM]

Ergonomics?

[googleadam @ Apr 16th 2009 8:30PM]

I thought right away


I, Robot

but that must be just me :D

[siberiaz @ Apr 16th 2009 8:59PM]

so...what will happen to this concept model? will it be thrown away (with charger and manual perhaps)?

[Chris @ Apr 16th 2009 9:02PM]

Not interested until they can fold it in half...twice!

[Bob @ Apr 16th 2009 9:36PM]

Uh... the does fold in half... twice...

[Kerber @ Apr 16th 2009 11:28PM]

Actually, it folds in thirds...once?

[Taylor @ Apr 17th 2009 12:38AM]

Actually, I think they'd be lucky to get away with the name "EOS", which is being used by Volkswagen for a hard-top convertible with a folding sunroof.
Google it.

[warpa4 @ Apr 17th 2009 12:57AM]

folding in thirds once is right next to folding in half twice.

on another note

i keep getting a premonition of me; flattening out the kinks in the screen with my finger.

[Information Central @ Apr 17th 2009 1:13AM]

"I think they'd be lucky to get away with the name "EOS", which is being used by Volkswagen for a hard-top convertible with a folding sunroof."

Uh, no, it's been used for pretty much every Canon SLR for over 20 years. If you take your own advice and Google it, THAT's the first electronics-related hit.

[SiXiam @ Apr 16th 2009 10:18PM]

I can't tell if that is running the pod racer operating system or the Galactica's jump software...???

[Winobie @ Apr 18th 2009 7:53AM]

So how long (if not already) before the military use this as active camo?

[warpa4 @ Apr 17th 2009 1:01AM]

they don't look real. kinda look like fake display models.

[Information Central @ Apr 17th 2009 1:18AM]

That's what HE said.