Is This the New iPhone’s Touchscreen? -iLounge

[modit]

I just came across this article on Thursday June 5th. It's basically new info that the supplier of the 3G iPhone based in Taiwan shows the first pictures and diagrams of the possibly new OLED screen citing it's superior to old screen with new features as:

- No aging effect (the touch capabilities and screen resolution don't degrade)
- Waterproof
- Resistant to high humidities and temperature
- Come in a decreased screen size of 3.2 inches (old one is 3.5")
- Another size of 2.8” which could make the case for new iPhone nano

Just 4 more days till we all find the truth ;)

Apple almost never confirms its component suppliers, and for various reasons, the suppliers only rarely confirm that they’re working with Apple. That’s the only major reason that we’d normally be skeptical about what’s shown below: the first pictures and diagrams of a touchscreen display that a Taiwanese company claims is being used in an upcoming iPhone. It’s a 2.8” display—shown here alongside a newer 3.2” version—two sizes that would enable Apple to start shrinking both iPhones and touchscreen iPods from the current 3.5” screen size found in its first-generation models.

http://www.ilounge.com/assets/images/backstage_iphone282/1.jpg

The developer of these displays, Host Optical, has shown what it describes as a “projected capacitance touch panel,” complete with a collection of characteristics that it suggests are superior to the ones being used in the original iPhone. According to the company, the displays have “no significant” aging effect—they don’t get progressively less sensitive over time—and are claimed to be more durable than alternatives, waterproof, plus resistant to high humidities and temperatures. Since one of the major concerns over current-generation iPhones is the continued touch sensitivity of their screens, Host’s version could be a nice step up.

http://www.ilounge.com/assets/images/backstage_iphone282/2.jpg

Also significant are the sizes the display comes in. The 2.8” screen is shown as having a 52.6mm (2.1") by 67.7mm (2.7") component footprint, with an actual viewing area of 45.6mm (1.8") by 60mm (2.4"). An additional 15-20mm (0.6"-0.8") of height is added by the black frame with Home button hole, providing a place for the screen’s control circuitry and connector to rest as well. A newer 3.2” version is closer in size to the current-generation iPhone’s front face.

http://www.ilounge.com/assets/images/backstage_iphone282/3.jpg

To be clear, we believe that there is zero chance that a 2.8” screen is going to be in Apple’s first 3G version of the iPhone, but as a component for an iPhone mini/nano, as well as a fourth-generation iPod nano, it makes a lot more sense. Notably, Host’s displays place two and only two sensors off to the right of the ear speaker, a detail that doesn’t track with what we’ve heard about the 3G model. Another difference is the size of the black frames, which have significantly more space between the screen and Home button than current iPhone faceplates. Changes such as these would be precedented in Apple portable designs—the initially unusual rebalancings of iPod nano screen and Click Wheel locations relative to the iPod mini and full-sized iPod, for instance—and might also be necessary to give future iPhones enough ear-to-mouth distance to be functional as handsets.

http://www.ilounge.com/assets/images/backstage_iphone282/4.jpg

While any company can claim that it’s supplying parts for a new iPhone, to the extent that Host is doing so, and has both samples and diagrams to offer as proof, we’re intrigued. As we’ve previously noted in Backstage, we’re still not sure how Apple will pull off the tricky act of downscaling the current iPhone OS to a smaller display, as typing on a 2.8” screen’s keyboard would be one of a few real challenges, but between UI changes and the prospect of a slide-out keyboard, nothing’s impossible for future iPhones. Seeing how it ultimately all plays out will be very interesting.


http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/backstage/comments/is-this-the-new-iphones-touchscreen/

[kleo]

WOO NEW CONTENT W00T! Anyone else notice the 2 additional holes at the top of the panel? :)

But really no way they are changing the size of the screen. And that larger boarder around the right and left sides of the screen is a major downgrade. I say these are from an iPhone knockoff.

[Loonytik]

Yeah, I see the holes but I find it hard to believe that Apple would "shrink" the screen size. The whole point of the phone is the touchscreen interface.

I agree with one of the posters on the article page, the home button is not centered. It is sitting low on the bottom. I too smell a "clone"

[mark0429]

This story partially aligns with this one?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=5533049

[gloss]

Yeah, I see the holes but I find it hard to believe that Apple would "shrink" the screen size. The whole point of the phone is the touchscreen interface.

I agree with one of the posters on the article page, the home button is not centered. It is sitting low on the bottom. I too smell a "clone"

There have actually been previous rumor reports stating that the screen might shrink to 3.2", so this is an interesting development.

[saxamoophone]

Yeah, I see the holes but I find it hard to believe that Apple would "shrink" the screen size. The whole point of the phone is the touchscreen interface.

I agree with one of the posters on the article page, the home button is not centered. It is sitting low on the bottom. I too smell a "clone"

Yeah, probably a fake. Although they could "shrink" the screen size and maintain the screen resolution I guess, right?

[modit]

Well that's what it is isn't? As in not knowing up until WWDC. Anyways, remember the photos of the video nano and how everybody came to hate it as the "fat nano"? If apple can convince us with a screen update, 32gb, GPS and make it thinner at the same time, its a great trade of IMO. I hope it's fake myself (smaller screens suck) but in the end, the new stuff is what I'm looking for (maybe not the GPS :rolleyes:).

[DreamPod]

Yeah, probably a fake. Although they could "shrink" the screen size and maintain the screen resolution I guess, right?

Yeah, but that would also shrink the touchable areas on the touchscreen. I mean, sure, it could display the full virtual keyboard exactly as it is now, but it'd be harder for the user to touch the keys they wanted. Apple could still do it, but they'd have to figure out a solution to the input problem. Like, maybe the small one would be an iPod Touch Nano with its own special interface or something, and not compatible with the App Store.

[impact_blue]

Please OLED PLEASE!!

[kdarling]

There are many Windows Mobile touch keyboard versions that run on 2.8" screens.

Since some of them were inspired by the iPhone, Apple should return the favor and steal some of their concepts. For example, showing a magnified view of all the keys that surround the one you're hitting, aids in knowing which way to move since your fingers cover the keys.