Apple has just patented a new device with a 360-degree screen and this new device doesn't look like anything you've ever seen before. It doesn't look like a phone with a wrap-around display or anything like that. Or at least, it doesn't look like what we think of as a smartphone now.

The patent could be for some revolution in the way we think of a phone, or it could be a new type of iPod. Honestly, we have no idea, but it's definitely something exciting to keep an eye on.

Apple's New Patent

There are three key parts of the device. We have to call it "the device" because again, we don't know if it's supposed to be a phone, an MP3 player, a tablet, or something else entirely. The most obvious thing that makes this interesting is the flexible 360-degree screen. The patent describes the screen as a "continuously wrapped display."

Other key aspects of this device are the accelerometers and gyroscopes. The patent describes using motion to control the device. It speaks about rotating the device or moving the gadget around the scroll.

Lastly, there's touch, while isn't anything too revolutionary, as we're all used to controlling our phones with touch. We've been doing it since the original iPhone, and touch doesn't seem to be going anywhere even with this crazy-looking futuristic device.

The patent goes into deep detail on just about every aspect of this futuristic device except for what it actually is. It talks about making a case with a transparent polymer, transparent ceramic, or synthetic sapphire. It also talks about how the components can be placed inside and the way the screen will be affixed. But it keeps it vague for what it'll be used for.

Perhaps this wrap-around technology could be used for a new Apple Watch with a screen that goes around the user's wrist. It could also be something more obvious like a bendable phone. Only time will tell. Or it won't because nothing could ever come of this patent.

When Can You Buy Apple's New 360-Degree Device?

So, the short answer to that question is we don't know. Hopefully, we see a cool new device come to market from this patent, but it's too early to tell.

If you want a more in-depth look at the patent, check out MySmartPrice, which as an incredibly detailed breakdown of the patent and what it could mean.

In the meantime, if you want to know more about the future of smartphones, LG has recently patented a phone with 16 cameras, which could change the way we take photos on the go.

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