Microsoft was awarded with a neat patent on sliding mechanism in mobile device. But that’s not the “regular” sliding mechanism – rather the idea here is to level display with keyboard. To get the idea how this looks like in the real world, you should try out the HTC Desire Z aka T-Mobile G2 which screen is pretty much leveled with the keyboard thanks to HTC’s so called “Z mechanism.” Microsoft found its own way to accomplish the same thing and decided to protect it.
Here’s the patent number 20110195752 abstract, with additional information waiting for you at the U.S. patent office’s website.
Mobile communications devices having moveable housings are described. In an implementation, a mobile communications device includes a first housing that includes a display device; and a second housing that includes a keyboard. At least one of the first or second housings are moveable between a first configuration in which the first housing substantially covers the second housing so the keyboard is covered and the display device is viewable and a second configuration in which the keyboard is exposed and positioned such that an outer plane of the keyboard is positioned in a substantially similar plane to that of an outer surface of the display device.
I like the idea of a device that effectively could turn the full-screen device into a classic candybar or a small tablet with a full QWERTY keyboard beneath the screen. What do you say?
[Via: WMpoweruser]