14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s Surface Phone continues to be a dream that’s yet to come true, and while many call it Andromeda, there are lots of Windows Phone fanboys out there that hope this device would end up boasting phone capabilities as well.
Regardless of the approach that the software giant would eventually embrace, the device is back in the news thanks to a recently-discovered patent that describes the hinge to be used on it.
Technically, Andromeda/Surface Phone is supposed to come with a dual-screen design which would allow it to easily transform from one form factor to another.
In other words, while it can be a laptop and a tablet, depending on the orientation and angle of the displays, it can easily become a phone as well, obviously if Microsoft decides to support this form factor.
Multi-form factor
However, a multi-form factor approach is very likely, and the hinge patent here confirms that Microsoft has at least considered this mechanism for the device.
“Some of the present hinge assemblies may be considered to be provided with a pop-up feature in that the hinge assembly can automatically open the hinge from a closed position when activated by a user. Alternatively, or in addition, some of the existing hinge assemblies may provide a path for a conductor through the hinge assembly that exposes the conductor to only a single axis of rotation during rotation of the first and second portions,” the patent reads.
Needless to say, a patent doesn’t mean a certain technology or product reaches mass production, so don’t hold your breath for the implementation here to reach mass production.
As for Andromeda, it’s expected sometime this year, possibly in the fall, but as with such devices, there’s always a chance that Microsoft kills it off completely before giving the go-ahead.
