RE: Apples and Oranges?
There are two types of patents in this case. The original which is an actual invention with schematics to build it. Like the first telephone, television, etc. Then there's the new kind which is basically a concept. Now all a company or individual has to do is develop a concept like Apple's "cover attachment for flexible display", for example, without ever having to physically invent the device. It could be that Apple is working on this (my interpretation) monitor on a flexible cover and wants to prevent anyone from beating them to market. Or Apple knows it's possible to build such an accessory and plans on suing whoever ends up actually building such a device. Apple's lawsuits against Samsung are based on these "concept patents".
If you're a futurist or visionary (sci-fi author) you can create a concept and DEVELOP it's form factor, behavior, and uses for a patent application. Anyone who creates that device will need to pay you a license fee. If the new rules had been enacted 100+ years ago Graham Bell would have problems patenting his phone because of someone else's concept patent, "Device that allows vocal or audio communication using electrical pulses running through wires".
