Intel and Samsung Are Getting Ready For 'Slidable' PCs

During Intel's Innovation keynote today, Samsung Display showed off a prototype PC that slides from a 13-inch tablet into a 17-inch display. Intel also announced that it's been experimenting with slidable PC form factors. The Verge reports: The prototype device that Samsung Display and Intel have shown off today essentially turns a 13-inch tablet into a 17-inch monitor with a flexible display and a sliding mechanism. Intel was quick to demonstrate its new Unison software on this display, which aims to connect Intel-powered computers to smartphones -- including iPhones. The slidable PC itself is just a concept for now, and there's no word from Intel or Samsung Display on when it will become a reality.

Concept = Vaporware

[gurps_npc]

Someone said "this would be cool!" so they CGI'd up a demo and found, that Yes, it WOULD be cool.

Too bad they do not have a working prototype, let alone a financially feasible business model for it.

 

Re:Concept = Vaporware

[fahrbot-bot]

Someone said "this would be cool!" so they CGI'd up a demo and found, that Yes, it WOULD be cool.

Too bad they do not have a working prototype, let alone a financially feasible business model for it.

There was a rollable phone [engadget.com] from LG, that was shown at CES 2021, and it seems they actually built a few fully-functional units. The video referenced below shows a hands-on demo of one of them.

This is how close LG's Rollable was to being a real phone.
A hands-on video [youtube.com] of the device shows a full functional rollable phone.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

Building working demo units doesn't necessarily mean the same thing as building viable commercial units. Lasting through a trade show is a good sign, but will it last for a year of actual use and riding around in your pocket? Two years?

Re: Concept = Vaporware

[immanentize]

Those are challenges but it's not like these kinds of devices are totally vaporware. A working sample definitely doesn't mean a product will be made but it's good evidence that the whole concept isn't hard stuck in the vapors.

That is not a "PC"

[gweihir]

That is a tablet. Far more restricted in many ways.

Re:

[Immerman]

Not even a tablet - that's a display.

However, it's a display that I could see evolving into a viable hybrid tablet / modern luggable. (For those too young to remember, luggables were the predecessors to laptops - suitcase-like PCs with a small integrated CRT screen: http://tanrunomad.com/compaq-p... [tanrunomad.com] )

The line between tablets and laptops is beginning to blur, with systems like the Microsoft Surface capable of playing either role... adequately.

Make a tablet that can stretch to the size of a large laptop scr

Re:

[gweihir]

Only a display? Hmm. Makes sense. Cooling CPU/GPU would be a bitch with that hardware.

As to tablet/laptop/etc. maybe we should just call it " (mobile) computing device". I mean, I have a Linux development environment in my frigging phone these days and can connect both an external Monitor and a Keyboard/Mouse to that phone (at least in theory, have not tried it).

What I am waiting for is a projected screen and, yes, a projected keyboard that does not suck. I do not expect either in the next 20 years though.

Re:

[Immerman]

Well - what they're showing seems to be a display - it doesn't seem to do anything beyond displaying a static image. I doubt there's be much market for such a thing as a stand-alone product though.

I don't know about cooling issues - most modern laptops only dedicate a fraction of the internal space to the main circuit board and cooling systems - it's mostly battery space, hard drive bays, etc. Remove the clamshell design and halve the footprint at the same thickness, and you could easily integrate such a

He's witch!

[VeryFluffyBunny]

That's not possible! It's magic. He's summoning evil spirits to do his bidding. He'll send us all to the fiery pit of hell unless we stop him. Burn him. BURN HIM NOW!

"Unison," hey?

[Anonymous Coward]

I wonder how Unison feel about Intel trying to hijack their trademark?

Earth Final Conflict

[aerogems]

Will we finally get a Global?

Easy to use...

[PersistantRain]

That's quite the death grip he has on that thing. It looks like it took all his strength to open it.

Why?

[paul_engr]

Stupid fucking idea. How about they just make some shit that doesn't suck?

Re:

[thegarbz]

It doesn't suck, it rolls.

What is the aspect ratio of this display?

[ayesnymous]

Is it 16:9 when it's 13 inches, or is it 16:9 when it's 17 inches?

I'm holding out for...

[istartedi]

I'm holding out for the first drinkable PC. Not even sure what that would mean. Just make it happen. Bonus points if it mixes well with Scotch. Scottie would be proud.

Re:

[zlives]

this already exists, NASA did the testing already, i think its called TANG

Staff of Monitoring

[SinGunner]

What I really want is a computer built into a staff with a screen rolled up near the top portion so I can pull it out. Doubles as a walking aid and weapon!

Red Planet

[DaChesserCat]

As I understand it it, the screen is unrolling from one (maybe both?) sides of the frame as they stretch the frame.

So, the roll-up screens, as seen in "Red Planet," are finally becoming reality? I'd be ok with something like those. Retract it into a couple cylinders for storage / carry, unroll when needed. Bonus points if they can build in the tricorder functionality that can show you broken ribs, looking through a space suit and skin.