What They Say
LetsGoDigital in the Netherlands has reported on a patent awarded to Samsung for a rollable watch that extends a circular shape to an oval under motor control. A camera would be underneath the display. The blog site put a downloadable version of the patent on its site.
What We Think
Unfortunately, the patent is in Korean and I struggle with the language of patents even when they are in English! It seemed to me that the display would have to roll from the middle and digging into the patent showed a diagram that clarified that. I found a couple of images (in the second graphic) that show how it might work. (and there are a number of other alternatives in the 96 page patent). I have to say that I can’t imagine that a watch with the centre part of the display unusable would be very compelling. Further, in the first graphic the watch is shown with curved sides that seem to get magically straight as the display extends. Finally, there are real issues with rollables being easy to scratch. I have an old fashioned watch that has had its front glass replaced every several years and its strong glass. I wouldn’t last long with a watch that had a flexible display on the top surface.
Still, it’s good to see new ideas. (BR)
