A new patent applied by Microsoft went public today and it describes a foldable tablet supported by a flexible hinge. When an average consumer makes a decision to buy a device, a size of the device becomes a primary consideration. A user may purchase a mobile device having a relatively small display device to make phone calls, text, and so on. He may buy a larger display device such as a tablet to answer emails, browser the Internet, and so on. Microsoft is patenting a 2-in-1 foldable device which can act both as a smartphone and a tablet.

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In this patent, Microsoft is describing a device that is flexible supported by a flexible hinge structure that secures the plurality of housings to each other, permits the plurality of housings to rotate about an axis in relation to each other, and supports a continuous viewing area of the display device that extends across the plurality of housings and the flexible hinge structure.

Last week, we reported that Samsung and LG are set to release their first foldable phone in the second half 2017. Do you think Microsoft will release a foldable mobile device this year along with LG and Samsung?