Nokia patent hints at touchscreen flip phone

Nokia may be developing a touchscreen phone that still folds up to provide a smaller shape and more protection for the display, according to a newly-published patent filing. Acting like an enhanced Nintendo DS, the phone would include one top screen for visuals alone and a second that serves as a touchscreen. The phone would also be intelligent enough to change the display layout depending on the open angle. Most typical angles for the phone split the view into two separate windows; unfolding the device to 180 degrees automatically spans a single image across both displays.

The patent was first submitted in May 2006 and shows an unusually specific design, revealing a dedicated set of physical keys for navigating music as well as a possible space for a front camera for video calling. Nokia has not leaked its own clues as to whether the patent relates to a real product, though the Finnish company has been adding touchscreen features to Symbian and hopes to have a related device on shelves by next year. [via Unwired View]