Samsung patent application shows off phone with wrap around touchscreen

Samsung has filed a patent application with the USPTO for a wrap around touchscreen. Actually, the precise title of the application is "Method and apparatus for operating functions of portable terminal having bended display". Having an active bended display would allow Samsung to use virtual buttons and faders which could keep all physical buttons and controls off of the phone.

One series of images presented in the application by the Korean OEM shows how you can more precisely navigate your photo gallery by using tabs and a series of scrollable dates to see pictures napped during a specific time period. Other images reveal how you can more easily and speedily go through your content alphabetically, and skip chapters on the ebook that you're reading.

While the Samsung Galaxy Round and the LG G Flex do have their fans, the curved screens on both devices really don't serve any purpose except to look cool. On the other hand, the wraparound touchscreen in this patent application obviously does serve a purpose. Checkout the slideshow below to see what the Samsung Galaxy S of the near future just might look like.


source: USPTO via UnwiredView