Would wings make smart-phone sales soar? Samsung may be on course to find out. The Korean phone manufacturer has filed a patent for a model featuring a physical QWERTY keyboard that flips out on either side of the screen, like wings unfurling.
This would allow space for a larger physical keyboard than the Palm Pre or BalckBerry, and would eliminate the need for a touch-pad like those on the new Samsung Jet and on the Apple iPhone.
The patent application explains: “Because the mobile terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention provides a wide screen and keypad layout through the touch screen and the keypad extended to both sides of the touch screen, the user can conveniently use various application programs through the mobile terminal.”
The main hurdle to widespread adoption of the mobile phone as an internet platform has been the difficulties of inputting text on a tiny keypad. Many designers have tried to crack the problem, so far with only limited success.
Samsung believes its winged keyboard will overcome this snag while also allowing the phone to be more easily used as a gaming platform through the use of physical keyboard controls and a touch-screen for the phone.
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