LG awarded patent for bendable smartphone-watch device

At one point, curved smartphone displays were merely drawn up in patents filing. Recently, LG and Samsung have come to market with curved displays, though this technology is clearly in its early stages. Now, according to patent filings, both manufacturers are planning to release some sort of device that goes beyond curved and into the flexible space this year.

While this might be premature, LG has been awarded a patent filing by the US Patent and Trademark Office for a device that acts both as a smartphone and a potential smartwatch. The description for patent D726,140 reveals a “new design in which the display part has been bent and wound around the band.” According to the images, both the smartphone and band seem to sport what could be a magnetic clasp.

This future is not too far off. LG Display showed its roadmap last year, suggesting it will release flexible displays in smartphone and tablets in 2015 and 2016, then foldable, rollable tablets, phones and TVs in 2017.

[source] USPTO, Android Police [/source]