Foldable smartphones are pretty much-established thanks to Samsung and its Z smartphone series. This niche segment is expected to become mainstream in the next year with more players joining it. However, not all companies believe that foldable displays are really the next big thing. Companies like LG and OPPO believe that rollable panels are better. The former, released a Rollable TV this year and is secretly working on a rollable smartphone dubbed Rainbow for the first quarter of 2021. Oppo unveiled the X 2021 concept smartphone with a rollable display that automatically adjusts its screen to the video resolution. LG is aware of the crescent competition in this segment and will do everything on its reach to keep the lead of rollable display tech. After unveiling a TV, the company is now moving to the computing segment with a new laptop featuring a 17-inch rollable panel.
The South-Korean firm knows that other companies will not leave this segment “unexplored” so it is working hard to become a leader with distinct technologies. Now, we have a patent for a laptop featuring a rollable display. According to the patent images, you can use the laptop anywhere between 13.3-inch and 17-inch just rolling it. It’s exactly like the Rollable TV where users can determine the size and the system will adapt to it. When unrolled the laptop will resemble a soundbar just like the TV. Unlike standard laptops, the LG solution will have a power button on the right side, for obvious reasons.
Gizchina News of the week
Rollable Webcam, External Mousepad, and Keyboard
The patent also reveals what seems to have a rollable webcam. Moreover, the patent mentions that the rollable display can independently stand up when the rollable display panel is unrolled from a display drum. This is quite interesting after all, users may be concerned with the display’s standing capabilities when totally unrolled. The patent also reveals that the mousepad can externally join the keyboard which also joins with the display.
Unfortunately, the patent alone can’t reveal much about the new laptop. We expect more details to surface in the next year. Moreover, don’t hold your breath for this device yet. Patent filings don’t necessarily mean that a company is actively working on specific technology. Sometimes they’re just trying to protect ideas and concepts for future use.
