Samsung Follows Through on Patent to Turn Android Phone Into Laptop
Samsung has thought out a new way to transform a smartphone into a laptop, and it has gone forward with its patent application filed just a week ago.
South Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung submitted a patent last Thursday containing the schematics of a device that turns a smartphone into a laptop.
According to Samsung, the device, with a smartphone or tablet at its core, is powered by Android and capable of switching to Windows when introduced into a dock.
While the idea of manufacturing a handheld that converts into a laptop isn't new, there hasn't been a blueprint announced, submitted or leaked describing the process in minute detail.
Samsung's patent application is highly specific and straightforward, with a smartphone or tablet containing everything a user needs to run both an Android OS and Windows.
The dock is portrayed as having its own keyboard with a large display, with possible room for a trackpad. Based on the schematics, the dock may not even require its own trackpad owing to the smartphone or tablet's touchscreen, however, an existing trackpad may benefit users as the handheld can be utilized as a secondary display.
Samsung's proposal indicates a dual display of Android and Windows, with the Android OS acting as an extension of the desktop.
The patent application also explains other operating systems may be employed instead of Windows or Android, but these two were the focus of the blueprint as being the dominant operating systems for both desktop and mobile.
Earlier in June 2013, Samsung introduced Ativ Q, a Windows laptop and Android tablet in a 13.3-inch single package with dual-booting and SideSync software allowing users to share data within both operating systems.
While Samsung's plans are still at patent application status, and it may be difficult to comprehend a single device serving all a user's computing needs, the idea doesn't appear totally unreasonable as the electronics giant is moving towards pioneering the technology for it.