Revolutionary product designs are synonymous with Apple. The company never ceases to amaze consumers with its new devices. A recent report suggests that in 2012, Apple is going to release devices with curved glass, particularly touchscreen devices.
The report states that early 2012 Apple devices are likely to have a curved glass design. Apple has extensively used glass panels in the iPhone 4 and curved glass devices seem to be the perfect way to go for the company, keeping in mind the fact that they usually are the first ones in the industry to manufacture devices that others might pass as crazy ideas.
Citing sources well connected with Apple, the report further explains:
Suppliers of the non-Apple camp are working on products with curved cover glass in attempts to gain a competitive edge in the handheld device market dominated by Apple, sources in the glass industry said.
But Apple reportedly also has bought glass polishing equipment for its suppliers in preparation for the production of devices fitted with curved cover glass. Lens Technology, Fuji Crystal, G-Tech are said to be major cover glass suppliers of Apple. While Lens and Fuji focus on iPhones, G-Tech supplies mainly for iPad.
If this report is anything to go buy, it seems as if the industry is already working hard on devices with curved glass. However, as always it seems like Apple is working harder to stay on top of the pack. If this type of design does go mainstream, the touchpanel sector is likely to benefit from it at large. One glass solution or thin film touch suppliers which integrate touch sensors in curved glass will be the ones getting the most benefit.
Above all, we know about Apple's obsession with glass. It uses hundreds of thousands of glass panels in its retail stores worldwide, it has patent glass staircases and Apple's upcoming mothership campus in Cupertino is yet another architectural endeavour that employs the use of curved glass. The only product Apple is destined to launch in early 2012 is the iPad 3 however up till now the iPad 3 concepts don't hint at a curved glass. If Apple does start to produce devices with curved glass, then doesn't that mean the iPad 3 is going to be radically redesigned? Only time will tell.