iPhone 5 rumors prompted by Apple purchase of glass-cutting machines
Cheesy phishing scams notwithstanding, there is an incredible amount of interest growing in Apple's next-generation iPhone. The rumors about the iPhone 5 started the day that the iPhone 4 began showing up in stores, and almost a year later, they're reaching a fever pitch. Lately the rumors have been a bit more believable and are coming from industry sources.
Digitimes is reporting that the front cover glass of the iPhone 5 may be curved, a completely different design from the flat face used in all preceding designs. The blog based its report on buzz being generated in the Taiwanese supply chain, noting that manufacturers were "reluctant to commit investment to the purchase of glass cutting equipment due to the high capital involved."
Apple allegedly reached into its very deep pockets to purchase 200 - 300 glass cutting machines for glass makers to use. These machines are being stored at assembly plants to be brought online as soon as yields for the curved glass covers fulfill expectations. The novel curved glass cover appears to be keeping Apple and suppliers busy right now trying to improve yield rates. Once those rates reach acceptable levels, volume production may begin.
Now that we've heard about the curved cover glass, we'll keep our eyes open for a unique phone lying unattended in a bar...
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Cheesy phishing scams notwithstanding, there is an incredible amount of interest growing in Apple's next-generation iPhone. The rumors...
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Fantastic! But it would be looking more gorgeous, if its design may turn slightly modified. No need to change huge amount, just square with a slightly round shape.
http://iphone5release.org
Is it have any others shape or design? I think, if it have a curved shape on the top side, it looks more beautiful.............
Why is it that all think its for the front ? why would you have a curved screen were you are navigating, gaming and watching video.. a sphere is not ideal for that
(although im sure that if any company could pull of telling everybody that they wanted a crystal-ball shaped phone it is Apple)
The curved Glass has to be for the back of the phone (think iPod touch )
and if they are planing on putting in gestures (ala Magic mouse) glass would be good for that, also a slightly curved back would make it fit better in your hand
What if the curved glass isn't for the iPhone 5?
It seems to me that the curve of the Magic Mouse could be better made of glass (allowing more precise control?) and that would allow a screen with, say, customizable buttons or apps to be projected on the surface. . . Could be a revolutionary I/O devise. . .
A true sign of the times. For years, Microsoft has had nearly complete dominance with its Windows. With the PC era at its close, MS losing customers everyday, Apple is now the one who owns the glass cutter...
May 23 2011 at 2:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCurved glass you say? Hmm, the longboy iPod nano comes to mind.
May 23 2011 at 1:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyExactly. I've been thinking about this for some time now. With all the talk of an iPhone Nano, everyone is focused on the iPhone part of the equation, but I think the form could resemble the Nano (longform). Mostly glass on the front, limited apps like on the current Nano, but with phone, texting and email(?). I imagine a sliding landscape keyboard but that may be where Steve says no (unless touch?). It would be thin, narrow, light, the right length and fill a niche in the market between the dumb and smartphones. I think it would be pretty cool.
May 23 2011 at 11:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyCurved glass is a lens. Too much curve inwards or outwards will distort the screen and make things appear smaller or larger.
Too much outward curve, and the screen will be exposed, despite being covered by a case. Too much inward curve, and the edges become fragile.
I'm sure Steve will tell me if and when this happens, but for now I fail to see any benefit whatsoever....
Do you *really* think Apple hasn't thought of that? Surely you don't believe they'd release a product that distorted the image. This is the same company that won't do 4G because they don't want their phone to be any thicker than it is.
May 23 2011 at 3:05 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYou can see that they very CLEARLY photoshopped a 5 over the 3 in the 3GS logo. It's not even the same font. Wow.
May 23 2011 at 1:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyYeah, but you commented to the wrong article.
May 23 2011 at 1:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe heck...? I didn't post this here... I was on the other article. How did this get here?
Okay, TUAW, let's just move to Disqus now... sound good?
This story's barking up the wrong tree.
Could these machines be for the roumored full-featured 42" Apple TV?
I seriously hope so. Id willingly go bankrupt for a proper Apple TV.
May 23 2011 at 2:10 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThe headline clearly suggests Apple purchased glass cutting machines but the story indicates otherwise, that the machines were "allegedly" purchased. Please clear up this inconsistency. If the glass on the next iPhone is not curved as the article suggests, will a correction or retraction be published?
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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