The world’s first bendable phone is a game-changer

A new flexible smartphone prototype works by detecting the phone bending, providing feedback and opening up the possibility for a whole world of new apps not possible with the currently available smartphone technology.

According to Wired UK, the smartphone prototype in question is called the ReFlex and was designed by academics at Queen’s University, Canada. It is the first implementation of bendable screen into mobile OS design.

In its current state, the prototype phone uses a 720p LG flexible OLED touch screen, Android’s KitKat OS, and works with a haptic actuator to detect where and how the screen is bending.

“This represents a completely new way of physical interactions with flexible smartphones,” said Roel Vertegaal, who worked on the project.

“When this smartphone is bent down on the right, pages flip through the fingers from right to left, just like the way they would in a book. More extreme bends speed up the page flips. Users can fell the sensation of the page moving through their fingertips via a detailed vibration of the phone. This allows eyes-free navigation, making it easier for users to keep track of where they are in a document.”

The phone works via sensors behind the screen that can detect how the screen is behind. This creates data that is fed into apps and can bs used as input.

Additionally, researchers say that the ReFlex’s voice coil “allows the phone to simulate forces and friction through highly detailed vibrations of the display.”

Examples of use show the flexible phone being bent to simulate the turning page of a book and even as input for a game of Angry Birds.

However, don’t get too excited. ReFlex’s creators say it will be at least a “couple of years” until the bendable tech is available for commercial use.