According to patent filings discovered by MSPoweruser , Microsoft could be working on a device with a flexible hinge and display that would transform a phone into a tablet. Notes and diagrams accompanying the patent depict a large smartphone that can fold over and transform into a tablet form factor or even the tent mode, much like very much like Lenovo’s range of Yoga devices. Microsoft first filed this phone patent in October 2014.

While the tech giant patents thousands of inventions that never make it into final products, it’s interesting to note that the inventor is named as Kabir Siddiqui, who was credited in the patents for Microsoft’s Surface kickstand and Surface camera angle previously. There’s also the strong belief that Microsoft will likely reveal a Surface Phone very soon.

Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2-in-1 PC device was similarly leaked out months in advance thanks to patent filings. So, it remains to be seen whether this is just another red herring or whether we are all one step closer to the mythical Surface Phone.

Whatever it is though, we really hope Microsoft sorts out the phone app ecosystem at the same time!