The USPTO has granted Apple a patent for a new flexible display technology that can even replace traditional buttons. Instead of the patent being for one particular thing, Apple uses it to describe the various ways it could use flexible displays across its product lines. The patent describes a system where Apple could extend its displays so that buttons like the home button are covered but still usable.

Other features such as haptic feedback and sensations that make it feel like you are pushing a real button could be enabled with these displays. Apple has even laid out how it could use diaphragms in the displays to output sound or detect sound input.

The flexible display technology shown in this patent clearly has uses in the iPhone or iPad, but Apple could use some of it across its other product lines.