The Surface lineup has always been about crossing the boundaries when it comes to hardware design, and this has been true since day one when the original Surface RT saw daylight.
Since then, Microsoft has kept the flame of innovation burning with research and development on everything from hinges and magnetic holders to hybrid and foldable form factors.
Even now, the R&D teams behind Redmond walls are looking at ways to do things beyond the traditional. They seem to be working on something that transcends the physical connection, while being attractive and suitable.
A recently published patent hints at the idea of using magnetic hinges in Microsoft hardware.
It discloses methods for attaching multiple pieces of hardware — like two screens, or a screen and a foldable keyboard — through the use of a magnetic hinges.
In other words, there isn’t a permanent hinge structure that holds the two displays together, as has been normally the case. Instead, the two components are only held together with a new magnet system that the company has pioneered.
This method, if implemented in production hardware, would enable tablets and screens to come together to not only create a book-life effect that we have seen with the Surface Duo and Surface Neo, but it would also allow for a much wider range of peripherals to connect to the hardware.
With substantially less effort, as well.
This is not the first time Microsoft has focused on ways to connect peripherals to hardware, as the array of Surface touch or type covers will attest.
But this is Microsoft exploring the use of magnets to replace older technology, and paving the way for new possibilities.
