It’s been nearly a decade since ARM introduced its big.LITTLE chip designs that allow a single processor to use two or more different CPU cores. The name comes from the idea that you could pair “big” high-performance cores with “LITTLE” energy-efficient cores to get the best of both worlds – speed when you need it […]
patent application
Motorola patents self-healing screen tech for smartphones
Motorola already sells phones with shatterproof (but scratch-prone) displays. What’s next? Phones with self-healing screens… maybe. The company has filed a patent application for a “method and device for detecting fascia damage and repairing the same.” In plain English? It’s a self-healing screen that can repair cracks and scratches. But it’s unclear if Motorola will […]
Apple patent describes a bizarre notebook with a removable display
Apple makes notebook and tablet computers. But a patent application suggests that the company could also be working on something in between: a notebook with a removable display. Interestingly this wouldn’t be an Asus Transformer-style device with a screen that works as a standalone tablet. The processor, memory, and other components are all in the base […]
HTC patent hints at an iPod touch-like media player
HTC produces a number of popular smartphones and a few tablets. But it looks like the company could also be considering entering the portable media player space. The folks at Patent Bolt uncovered an HTC patent application for a portable device that looks a lot like a smartphone, but which is described as a “handheld […]