**Фан факт: в 2011 году Apple запатентовала некое «сгибаемое электронное устройс
In 2011, Apple filed a patent for a “flexible electronic device with a locking hinge” — a document that would quietly foreshadow the company’s foldable ambitions. One of its co-authors was a then-36-year-old engineer named John Ternus, whose career trajectory would eventually place him in the CEO’s chair. Just two weeks into that role, Ternus is now synonymous with the iPhone Duo, a product widely regarded as the culmination of his entire professional life.
The 2011 Patent That Started It All
The patent, registered under number US8929085B2, was filed at a time when foldable screens were barely a concept in consumer electronics. Apple’s filing described a device capable of bending along a hinge while maintaining structural integrity through a locking mechanism. This was not a vague sketch — it was a detailed engineering blueprint that anticipated years of future development.
Ternus, at 36, was already demonstrating the technical ambition that would define his career. His name appears among the inventors, marking his early involvement in Apple’s exploratory hardware projects. The patent’s existence proves that Apple was thinking about foldables more than a decade before competitors brought them to market.
John Ternus: From Patent Co-Author to Product Chief
Two years after filing the patent, in 2013, Ternus was reassigned to oversee the development of AirPods. This was a pivotal move, shifting him from experimental concepts to shipping consumer products. His work on wireless audio would establish his reputation as a leader who could translate complex engineering into mass-market success.
Following AirPods, Ternus took charge of iPad and Mac product lines. Each role expanded his portfolio and deepened his understanding of Apple’s hardware ecosystem. By the time he returned to iPhone development in 2020, he had accumulated nearly a decade of cross-category experience that few executives could match.
The Locking Hinge Technology Explained
The locking hinge described in the 2011 patent was designed to hold a flexible display at multiple angles while preventing unwanted movement. Unlike simple hinges used in laptops, this mechanism needed to accommodate a bendable screen without creasing or damaging the panel. The patent outlined a system where the hinge would lock at predetermined positions, offering stability during both open and folded states.
This technology is critical for any foldable device because it determines durability and user experience. A poorly designed hinge can cause screen stress fractures or fail after thousands of folds. Apple’s patent specifically addressed these failure points, suggesting a focus on long-term reliability rather than just novelty.
Ternus’s Return to iPhone in 2020
When Ternus returned to the iPhone team in 2020, he inherited a product line facing increasing competition from Android foldables. Samsung had already launched multiple Galaxy Fold generations, and Apple needed a response. Ternus brought with him insights from his work on AirPods, iPad, and Mac — particularly around battery efficiency, display integration, and industrial design.
His mandate was clear: deliver a foldable iPhone that met Apple’s standards for polish and performance. The iPhone Duo emerged from this mandate, incorporating the locking hinge concept from that 2011 patent as its foundational element. Ternus’s career arc — from patent co-author to product lead to CEO — directly parallels the device’s development journey.
The Two-Week CEO and the iPhone Duo
Ternus has held the CEO position at Apple for only two weeks, yet his connection to the iPhone Duo is already well-established. Industry observers note that his entire career has been building toward this product. The 2011 patent, his years of cross-category leadership, and his return to iPhone in 2020 all point to a singular professional focus.
The iPhone Duo represents more than just a new device — it is the physical manifestation of Ternus’s engineering philosophy. The locking hinge technology, refined over 14 years since the original patent, now promises to be the centerpiece of Apple’s next major product category. Whether it launches this year or next, the device carries the weight of one executive’s entire professional narrative.
Apple’s Foldable Strategy Through the Years
Apple has filed numerous foldable-related patents since 2011, but the US8929085B2 filing remains foundational. It established the basic mechanics that later patents would refine, including approaches to display protection, hinge lubrication, and fold detection. Competitors have shipped foldables with visible creases and durability issues — problems Apple’s patent portfolio specifically aims to solve.
The iPhone Duo name suggests a dual-display approach, potentially using two separate panels rather than a single flexible screen. This would align with the locking hinge concept, as dual displays can be joined mechanically without stressing a continuous panel. Such a design choice would differentiate Apple from Samsung’s single-screen approach while leveraging Ternus’s expertise in precision engineering.
What the Patent Tells Us About Future Products
The 2011 patent includes specifications for detecting the hinge’s position and adjusting device behavior accordingly. When folded, the device could enter a compact mode; when open, it could expand to full functionality. This adaptive behavior is now standard in foldable devices, but Apple’s early patent suggests they were thinking about software integration from the start.
The patent also covers scenarios where the device operates with the hinge at intermediate angles — like a laptop but with a bendable display. This versatility could enable new usage modes for productivity, media consumption, and gaming. For Ternus, who oversaw iPad development, such flexibility would be a natural extension of Apple’s tablet vision.
John Ternus’s Engineering Legacy
Before his executive roles, Ternus was deeply involved in hardware engineering, contributing to multiple product lines. His 2011 patent co-authorship shows a hands-on technical foundation that informs his leadership style. He is known for demanding rigorous testing and prioritizing durability — values that trace back to that early hinge design.
The 36-year-old engineer who signed that patent in 2011 is now leading the world’s most valuable company. His journey from patent co-author to AirPods lead, iPad and Mac chief, iPhone head, and finally CEO is a case study in career development within Apple’s unique culture.
The iPhone Duo’s Market Positioning
The iPhone Duo is expected to target the premium segment, with pricing likely exceeding $1,500 based on current foldable market trends. Analysts predict Apple will sell between 15 million and 20 million units in the first year, capturing a significant share of the foldable market. The locking hinge and dual-display design could be key differentiators against competitors.
Ternus’s experience with iPad and Mac suggests the iPhone Duo might support multitasking features beyond typical smartphone capabilities. The hinge’s locking mechanism could enable stable laptop-like modes, making the device a productivity tool as much as a phone. This positioning would leverage Apple’s ecosystem advantages with iPadOS and macOS compatibility.
Challenges Ahead for the Foldable iPhone
Despite the promising technology, Apple faces significant hurdles. The locking hinge must withstand years of use without loosening or failing. Battery life in a foldable form factor remains challenging, as the device needs to power a large display while maintaining a compact footprint. Ternus’s team is reportedly working on custom silicon to address these issues.
Supply chain constraints could also impact launch timelines. Foldable displays and specialized hinges require new manufacturing processes that Apple has been perfecting since 2011. Any production delays could push the iPhone Duo release into 2026 or later, testing consumer patience as competitors iterate.
Ternus’s Vision for Apple’s Future
As CEO, Ternus is expected to continue Apple’s focus on integration between hardware, software, and services. The iPhone Duo represents a physical manifestation of this philosophy — a device that adapts to user needs through advanced mechanics and intelligent software. His background in audio (AirPods), tablets (iPad), and computers (Mac) gives him a holistic view of Apple’s ecosystem.
The 2011 patent may have been one of many filings in Apple’s vast portfolio, but its connection to Ternus’s career makes it historically significant. It marks the starting point of a 14-year journey that now defines Apple’s next chapter. The iPhone Duo is not just a product — it is a biography in hardware form.
Industry Reactions and Expectations
Tech analysts have responded positively to Ternus’s appointment, citing his engineering background as a counterbalance to previous leadership styles. The iPhone Duo is seen as his signature project, one that will determine his legacy as CEO. Early reviews of the patent technology suggest that Apple’s approach to foldables is fundamentally different from competitors — more refined, more durable, and more integrated.
The locking hinge technology, if implemented as patented, could solve the crease problem that plagues current foldables. This would give Apple a significant advantage in a market where consumers cite durability as a primary concern. Ternus’s insistence on quality, honed through years of product development, will be evident in the final device.
The Road Ahead for Apple’s Foldable Line
Apple’s foldable strategy extends beyond the iPhone Duo. Future products could include foldable iPads and MacBooks, building on the same hinge technology. Ternus’s experience across these categories positions him perfectly to lead this expansion. The 2011 patent provides the foundation, but subsequent filings have expanded the concept to larger devices.
The company’s approach is methodical — Apple did not rush to market with an immature product but spent 14 years developing and refining the technology. This patience is characteristic of Apple’s product philosophy and explains why the iPhone Duo is expected to set new standards for the category.
Conclusion: A Career Defined by One Device
John Ternus’s career and the iPhone Duo are inseparable. From the 2011 patent filed when he was 36, through his leadership of AirPods, iPad, and Mac, to his return to iPhone in 2020 and his CEO appointment two weeks ago — every step has led to this moment. The locking hinge patent was not an isolated invention but the seed of a product vision that would define an entire career.
As Apple prepares to launch its first foldable, the industry watches with anticipation. The iPhone Duo carries the weight of expectations — not just as a product, but as the culmination of one engineer’s lifelong pursuit of perfect design. If the 2011 patent is any indication, the wait will be worth it.