Week 9, Post 2 — Apple seeks patent for wrap-around display

Apple is seeking a patent for an iPhone that has a display that wraps around the edges of the device, expanding the viewable area and eliminating all physical buttons altogether.

This patent application reveals that Apple has been thinking about taking advantage of a new generation of displays, which don't have to necessarily be flat and rigid like today's LCDs.

Their patent filing shows a phone similar to a flattened tube of glass, inside of which a display envelops the chips and circuit board. This allows "functionality to extend to more than one surface of the device." The design also means that the display can take up more of the device's surface area, as there is not frame or bezel surrounding the display.

Another interesting thing to note is that Apple's chief competitor, Samsung, had a similar prototype phone with a a display that bent around the edges at a trade show in January. Does this mean more patent wars are to follow?