And the saga continues (so it may appear). First, it started with Verizon’s ads talking about AT&T’s 3G map coverage. Then Luke Wilson (and AT&T) struck back with the anti-Verizon ads. Meanwhile the Droid Does ads starting getting some attention. After Apple started seeing some of its market share being pulled away, Steve Jobs started to bad-mouth Android. And in a hilarious turning point, Google implemented multi-touch into their Nexus One and other Android 2.0+ applications. Recently, Apple submitted a lawsuit stating patent violations against HTC, which appeared to be more directed at Google and the Android OS than HTC (personally I relate this recent patent lawsuit to Al Gore saying he invented the internet).
Now, Motorola has received applied for a patent for the “Reconfigurable Multiple-Screen Display“. As Engadget states, this technology could be put to use by utilizing multiple devices together as one to make one large monitor, which is conceivable if you have multiple phones or if your friend or significant other have the exact same phone. However as phandroid states, and what we here at “These Are The Droids” have been contemplating ever since we saw Sony’s Flexible Screen, what if you had a second screen instead of the physical keyboard:
Personally, I used to be a physical keyboard kinda guy, because I didn’t like that the virtual keyboard would take up most of the screen. But recently I have been altering my thinking and with this new technology (depending on how they implement it) I could see the second screen being utilized as a virtual keyboard, or part thereof.
Finally though, I have to ponder how do you patent such technology? That’s comparable to patenting the use of multiple monitors on your home computer. Doesn’t seem right, but maybe it is sort of a jab back at Apple (with the encouragement of Google). Only time will tell. I can’t wait to see how this story ends (if it ever does)!
