Posted on 09/10/2014 7:08:43 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Apple Inc. may have disappointed many consumers by not putting sapphire glass covers on its new iPhone, but the scratch-resistant material is gradually making its way into mobile devices despite manufacturing challenges and high costs.
Speculation had been rife in the weeks leading up to Tuesday's unveiling of the iPhone 6 that some models would have the extra protection after Apple partnered in November with U.S.-based GT Advanced Technologies Inc. , a mineral crystal specialist, to make sapphire materials for its devices.
Apple said sapphire glass would be used on its first smartwatch. It also continues to use the durable material to cover the iPhone's camera lens and home button, but it gave no hints as to if, or when, the glass would be used on iPhone screens.
China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. [HWT.UL] last week became the first major handset maker to announce the use of sapphire screen covers, saying it would release a limited edition version of its high-end phone with such protection.
Sapphire glass is the hardest material in nature after diamonds. It is used in LED lighting, high-end jewelry and military equipment like submarine and rocket windows.
According to a recent survey by the used-phone marketplace www.uSell.com, the most wanted new iPhone 6 feature had been sapphire glass, which is also more sensitive to the touch than other screen protectors.
JPMorgan expects the adoption of sapphire faceplates for smartphones to rise several times next year, albeit from a very low base.
Some Asian handset makers have been talking with the world's two biggest suppliers of raw sapphire glass: U.S.-based Rubicon Technology and South Korea's Sapphire Technology <123260.KQ>.
"All smartphone manufacturers have been meeting with all the major sapphire producers including Rubicon," William Weissman, chief financial officer of Rubicon, told Reuters by email.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Research subs.
Yeah - I was thinking about Navy subs like our boomers and fast attack boats. No windows on them.
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