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Flexible display technologies been under development for years, but the closest thing we’ve gotten to devices with displays that can actually bend are phones like Samsung’s “Edge” phones with curved glass edges and the LG G Flex line of phones which are not only curved, but which can also flex a bit without breaking.
But Samsung may be preparing to go even further. Rumor has it that the company will introduce a phone with a folding display in 2016. This would let you hold a phone in one hand for normal smartphone-style applications, or unfold the phone to double your phone real-estate for viewing and interacting with apps.
Right now all we have are rumors — Samsung hasn’t confirmed that it’s working on a folding phone yet, and it’s not entirely clear how practical such a device would be. But concept photos sure show some promise.
Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web. You can keep up on the latest headlines by following Liliputing on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
- Samsung rumored to be working on a phone with a foldable display for 2016
[G for Games] - Amazon highlights the app selection for the Fire TV… ahead of next-gen Fire TV launch?
The company says there are now 17 times more apps for the platform than there were when it first launched in April, 2014. On the one hand, the timing is interesting because it comes just before the next-gen Apple TV (with an app store) goes on sale. On the other hand, the timing is *also* interesting because it comes when the Fire TV is out of stock… providing more evidence that new hardware could be coming soon. [Amazon] - Next-gen Amazon Fire TV seems to be code-named “Sloane”
Speaking of new hardware… [AFTVnews] - CBS All Access now available for Android TV
Have a nexus Player or NVIDIA Shield console instead of an Apple TV or Fire TV? Then you may be interested to know that you can now stream CBS shows… for $6 per month. [9to5Google] - VLC for the new Apple TV is in the works
VLC has earned a reputation as a jakc-of-all-trades media player, and it’s starting to look like a jack-of-all-platforms solution too, with apps for most desktop operating systems as well as mobile platforms including Android. Next up? Apple TV. [Variety] - NVIDIA recalls some Shield Pro (500GB model) TV boxes due to hard drive problems
The company says fewer than 1 percent of Shield Pro units have the problem, but you can find tips for determining if you’re affected at the NVIDIA GeForce Forums. [NVIDIA] - Tronsmart shows off one of the first Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 compatible chargers
Qualcomm’s faster, more efficient quick charging technology is coming soon, and Chinese device maker Tronsmart says it will offer one of the first chargers to support Quick Charge 3.0. [Tronsmart] - Google OnHub router thingy gets torn apart
It’s not easy to take apart, but if you do, you’ll see a ton of antennas. [Gizmodo] - Comixology is killing its Windows Store app, promises better web experience
Mobile apps for Android, iOS, and Fire tablets will stick around for the foreseeable future, but the Windows Store app will be gone by the end of 2015. [ComiXology] - NEC launches LaVie Tab W Cherry Trail 2-in-1 tablet for Japan
Features include a 10.1 inch full HD display, an Intel Atom x7-8700 processor, 802.11ac WiFi, 4GB of RAM, a digital pen, and a detachable keyboard. [PC Watch]
I’d love a 7″ to 8″ tablet with the footprint of a 4″ phone
Yes, this may allow phones to become smaller in folded mode, so one could hold them more comfortably in the pocket. However, the folding radius may not be very small (see the image), so the phone cannot be as thin as current high-end phones (although it could hold more battery if it is thicker anyway).
a 5″ folded phone with the footprint of a flip phone might be appealing too