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Apple to Build Sapphire Glass Manufacturing Plant in Arizona
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No it's not. Sony is one of the sensor supplier. The lens is supplied by mostly Taiwanese firms and the camera module is assembled by others, the biggest one probably being LG, but not the division that makes the display or the phones, it's another division.
"...sapphire, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide..."
So in other words, transparent aluminum?
100% aluminum iPhone.
Spending thousands of hours in a nice building rather than an okay one is one of the things that can make an employee happier and more productive. It also helps attracting talent. Nothing major, but considering how long those buildings will last, it's a long-term investment.
"...sapphire, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide..."
So in other words, transparent aluminum?
W-what? YES!!!!!!!!!! And we got the voice-activated computer working. Scotty will not be disappointed if he ever comes back.
Just wait until the prices of your iPhones/iPads goes up.
The US is not a manufacturing country and we shouldn't want to be--those are menial jobs for the oversees. We are an innovative technology country
Not everyone in a given country can be an innovative technologist though can they?
Labour must be cheap in the US right now and for the forseeable as far as Apple is concerned. Don't kid yourself if you think this is benevolence or patriotism. Apple are only beholden to their shareholders; market share and net income.
Those who are predicting it's for a watch type gizmo, are probably right.
There, the sapphire could be thicker like it is on wristwatches, and thus more shatter resistant, than with the much thinner and larger size that a phone display would need.
Btw, Corning says that the advantages of Gorilla Glass over sapphire include:
In any case, here's an interesting video showing how sapphire is grown.
There, the sapphire could be thicker like it is on wristwatches, and thus more shatter resistant, than with the much thinner and larger size that a phone display would need.
Btw, Corning says that the advantages of Gorilla Glass over sapphire include:
- GG is half the weight.
- GG is 1/10 the cost ($3 vs $30).
- GG uses 99% less energy to make.
- GG gives a brighter display.
- GG is three times stronger.
In any case, here's an interesting video showing how sapphire is grown.
You're aware that the building is MAKING sapphire glass, not being MADE OF sapphire glass... right?
Great, now start ramping up to production of your own displays, please. Is there any component more critical to Apple's future products than displays?
Apples buildings are absolutely amazing and they are some of the few that even look like they belong in the 21st century. No one knows how many people have walked into an Apple store simply because of the aesthetics of it, but I'm guessing it is a staggering amount. I don't have an Apple store near me, but I want to go inside one strictly for the aesthetics of it. They have sold so many more products to people simply based on the fact that so many more people walk into their stores to see what they have because they look stunning.
Because the only thing that can scratch sapphire is diamond, and I'm sure most aren't rubbing sharp diamonds all over their phones.
Until china revolts and goes through the same process America did 100 years ago and it wouldn't be cheaper to make things there due to the shipping.Just wait until the prices of your iPhones/iPads goes up.
The US is not a manufacturing country and we shouldn't want to be--those are menial jobs for the oversees. We are an innovative technology country
Sapphire is not a 'glass'
Sapphire is a crystal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire
A Glass is non-crystalline.
... In science, however, the term glass is defined in a broader sense, encompassing every solid that possesses a non-crystalline (i.e. amorphous) structure and exhibits a glass transition when heated towards the liquid state...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass
Sapphire is a crystal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire
A Glass is non-crystalline.
... In science, however, the term glass is defined in a broader sense, encompassing every solid that possesses a non-crystalline (i.e. amorphous) structure and exhibits a glass transition when heated towards the liquid state...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass
Apple needs to keep this up. Gradually… slowly…. incrementally…. wean its manufacturing away from China and bring it back to USA whenever it is financially feasible.
Of course, it won't happen overnight.
In the near future, as China's standard of living increases and the well-to-do middle class grows, the salary demands of industrial workers will rise, and hence China will eventually cease to be a source of "cheap labor".
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Sapphire-based 85" 4K Televisions from Apple!! We can dream?
right on - jobs and ...
and at last something Samsung does not have access to from day 1. The more components they produce themselves, the harder it will be for them to copy Apple.
and at last something Samsung does not have access to from day 1. The more components they produce themselves, the harder it will be for them to copy Apple.
A virtually indestructible screen (nearly as hard as diamond) would be a nice upgrade
Considering it's made from aluminium (one of the Earth's most abundant elements), I really hope this is a direction Apple are going in.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire#Synthetic_sapphire
Called it...
This link has some more info on Synthetic Sapphire.
http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-Sapphire-Series-Modern-Applications
Just wait until the prices of your iPhones/iPads goes up.
The US is not a manufacturing country and we shouldn't want to be--those are menial jobs for the oversees. We are an innovative technology country
That's the spirit!
/s