Microsoft, Dell and Samsung double down on foldable devices, whether people want them or not – GeekWire

Some of the world’s biggest technology companies are pushing forward with foldable phones and hybrid dual-screen devices that could represent the next evolution in personal electronics. However, it’s unclear how big of an audience there is for these expensive devices — especially as the companies building them are still working out the kinks.

In the last few days, reports of new progress on these devices show that the tech world is going full speed ahead on foldable devices. Here is a look at all the recent activity:

• Bloomberg reported that Samsung is working on its second foldable device, which collapses into a pocket-sized square. The device is reportedly smaller at 6.7 inches than the Galaxy Fold that was announced earlier this year and meant to be more affordable. Speaking of Galaxy Fold, the $2,000 device may have a release date after months of delays stemming from hardware issues. Over the weekend, Samsung began taking “pre-registrations” to buy the phone, and tech insider Evan Blass tweeted that the device will arrive Sept. 27.
• Meanwhile, Dell is continuing to work on a Windows 10-powered, foldable, dual-screen device. Dell applied for a patent last month focused on the ever-important hinge that will make the device work. The news comes days after Microsoft sent out invites for a hardware event in New York City that some observers expect will include the unveiling of a long-rumored foldable Surface dual-screen device.
• DigiTimes reported that Microsoft and Intel are working together to establish standards for dual-screen notebooks. The two companies are reportedly looking to extend those standards to foldable devices.

Why they are doing this: The markets for PCs and smartphones are showing meager growth and even declining in some cases, leading manufacturers to search for the next big thing. Given the activity around foldable and dual-screen devices, it appears that tech giants see these gadgets as one way to juice sales heading into the busy holiday season and in the future. However, as these devices were being unveiled, they caught some flak online as being not exactly revolutionary.

Who wants them: Unclear. The most high-profile foldable devices announced so far, the Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s Mate X, have yet to be released, so we still don’t know how big of an audience there is. In the wake of the Galaxy Fold announcement tech site Goosed asked the question, do people really want this?

Others preached patience, pointing out that what we are seeing now is the first generation of a brand new type of hardware. These types of innovations tend to start slow and at a high price point.