By technology editor Ian Bush

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (CBS) — At the Consumer Electronics Show today, Samsung was showing off what could be the next big thing for smartphone and tablet screens.

It has sharp colors.  You can tap and swipe it, like other screens.  But just try bending, folding, or even rolling yours.

“They were showing how you could basically fold the phone in half and the screen didn’t crack,” says CNET senior writer Maggie Reardon.

Samsung’s flexible display technology is called Youm (pronounced yoom).  Reardon says one of their concept phones has a screen that wraps around the device, so info appears on the side — or wherever you want it.

“Cracked screens, that’s a huge problem for a lot of people,” Reardon tells KYW Newsradio.  “This would be something that would prevent that, and it’s also looks really cool to show off.”

Like a big tablet you could fold to pocket size.

It’s just a prototype for now, but as Samsung battles Apple, it’s a safe bet the company will be pushing to put this thin, bendy screen into your hands.

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