Patent for curved screen belongs to Apple now

A patent granted to Apple might be the latest sign the tech giant is making a curved-screen iPhone, following in the footsteps of South Korean rivals Samsung and LG.

The US Patent and Trademark Office awarded Apple the patent, which details a method for manufacturing curved touchscreens.

Apple and other tech giants have countless patents that they never actually turn into products, but the latest one comes shortly after the release of the Samsung Galaxy Round and the LG G Flex, the first two consumer smartphones to feature curved displays.

Last month, there was also a report that Apple was developing smartphones with "glass that curves downward at the edges".
Advertisement

There isn't a clear-cut benefit to curved touchscreens at this point, but LG boasts that the curve, which runs from the top of the phone to the bottom, on the LG G Flex's screen helps envelope users into the action when they watch video. LG also says the device's shape makes it more ergonomic.

But of course, Apple may not be thinking about iPhones when it comes to this patent.

Throughout 2013, Apple has been rumoured to be worki

ng on a smart watch device that would rival Samsung's Galaxy Gear and the Pebble smart watch.

The so-called "iWatch" is expected to arrive some time in 2014, and the patent could be a sign that it will feature a curved screen, which would fit the shape of users' wrists.


/Smh.Com.Au/