Skip to main content

Intel patent envisions a phone that can fold out to become a tablet PC

Be it with products from Samsung, or Royole, there’s no doubt that foldable smartphones are the next big thing in technology. And now comes news that Intel could also be considering a fairly unique foldable device. A 2017 patent from the company first uncovered by the Dutch website Lets Go Digital envisions a phone that can fold out to become a tablet PC.

Recommended Videos

Originally published back in 2017, the patent for “Electronic Device with Foldable Display Panels” is packed full of sample drawings showing a device with three displays, which when fully unfolded out can span to become one single tablet screen. Additionally, when folded together in a closed orientation, the three screens can also become more compact as one, similar to a more pocketable smartphone.

Concept of Intel's patent (via LetsGoDigital)

The patent even shows the folding device support for a stylus, which can be housed and locked in one of the corner folds. That could be meant to tie in with the other foldable mode that allows the device to sit on a table with the screens bent in a triangle format, for showcasing presentations or videos.

Intel’s patent is so detailed that Lets Go Digital managed to create concept images showing the device in action. The conceptual images showcase elements of Windows 10, which it has been suggested that Microsoft is planning to adapt for foldable devices like this one.

Intel has previously showcased folding and bending devices. Known as Tiger Rapids, its concept for the dual-screen folding PC was originally shown off over a year ago. We’ve since seen that partially come to life in Lenovo’s Yoga Book C930, which features a conventional LCD display on the top and an e-ink screen inside.

Of course, Intel’s latest patent might not go on to be translated into a final product, but if it does eventually come to fruition, this could be a disruptive device. Still, Intel is not alone, and Lenovo could also be considering a foldable laptop, according to a recent patent of its own. As for Microsoft, its Andromeda folding device might be on the shelf for now, but plans have indicated the firm could be working on a foldable dual-screen Surface for late 2019.

Code-named Centaurus, that would be Microsoft’s first new Surface form factor since the introduction of the 2-in-1 back in 2012. It also is planning on releasing a standalone Surface Studio monitor with modular functionality for 2020.

Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
Intel can’t stay silent for much longer
Someone holding the Core i9-12900KS processor.

"I'll never buy an Intel CPU at launch again."

That's what one Reddit user told me after I spoke with them about instability issues with their Core i9-13900K. The user said they went through four Core i9-13900Ks over several months, leaving them without a functioning gaming PC for three months due to repairs. Another told me they slowly replaced every component in their system expect for the CPU, saying they've "NEVER had an issue with Intel products." This time, though, the Core i9-14900K was the problem.

Read more
AMD and Intel are being locked out of Copilot+ — for now
AMD CEO Lisa Su presenting performance for Ryzen AI CPUs.

AMD and Intel are missing the Copilot+ boat. Despite AMD launching its Ryzen AI 300 CPUs and Intel previewing its Lunar Lake chips at Computex 2024, it seems like these components won't support the AI features available to Copilot+ PCs at launch. Instead, they'll get support in the future through a software update.

Ryzen AI 300 and Lunar Lake both come with a neural processing unit (NPU) that meets Microsoft's requirements for a Copilot+ PC, but Microsoft is initially restricting access to features like Recall and Auto Super Resolution to laptops with Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips, reports The Verge. 

Read more
Intel’s new AI image generation app is free and runs entirely on your PC
screenshot of AI Playground image creation screen showing more advanced ccontrols

Intel shared a sneak preview of its upcoming AI Playground app at Computex earlier this week, which offers yet another way to try AI image generation. The Windows application provides you with a new way to use generative AI a means to create and edit images, as well as chat with an AI agent, without the need for complex command line prompts, complicated scripts, or even a data connection.

The interesting bit is that everything runs locally on your PC, leveraging the parallel processing power of either an Intel Core Ultra processor with a built-in Intel Arc GPU or through a separate 8GB VRAM Arc Graphics card.

Read more