10 Futuristic Smartphone Features That Will Appear Soon
3. Gamepad-like Shoulder Sensors
It looks like Samsung has realised that the technology used in its Galaxy S6 Edge display is destined for bigger things than being a colour-coded contacts list. In fact, curved touchscreen technology can be used without a display altogether, as seen in this recent Samsung patent for a phone with six sensors along the sides of the chassis.
The first thing that springs to mind with these sensor shoulder buttons is gaming. For years, gamers have had to suffer slippery touch-screens while playing fiddly first-person shooters and racers. Shoulder buttons are a core feature of any serious games controller, and for phones to have them built-in will earn them kudos among the hardcore gaming crowd.
The sensors also facilitate off-screen photography controls, act as buttons and indicators when using GPS navigation, and would surely have plenty of other functions. Of course, the patent office is a place where many great ideas go to die, but we think this one deserves a chance at life.