Samsung patents a stylus with a microphone and a speaker, could this be the next S Pen?
Two Samsung patent applications, recently published by the USPTO, reveal what might be the future of the S Pen, the signature digital stylus of the Galaxy Note device family. It seems that Samsung has researched the possibility to implement communication functionalities to the digital pen by including a microphone and a speaker on it.
According to the patent filings, the next S Pen might allow users to take phone calls and issue different voice commands. Samsung states that this pen "functions as a substitute for a wireless headset" and allows the user "to mount the pen to a shirt pocket or the like and communicate in a phone call using the portable terminal as a base". In line with the patent images, the stylus has an earpiece and a microphone, coupled by a transmitting/receiving module. Samsung's concept is, in fact, quite similar to the one we saw in the first Asus Padfone back in 2012.
One can only guess if Samsung's next S Pen accessory will actually include these features. What are your thoughts on the matter?
source: USPTO (1), (2) via GSMArena
It looks like the Korean giant wants to improve the grip mechanism of the S Pen, too. The second patent application depicts a protruding grip, which automatically expands once the user draws the stylus from the device.
One can only guess if Samsung's next S Pen accessory will actually include these features. What are your thoughts on the matter?
source: USPTO (1), (2) via GSMArena
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