this almost confirms apple watch 2 for the 7th. If it wasn't confirmed already
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Corning Announces Super Scratch Resistant 'Gorilla Glass SR+' for Wearable Devices
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Well, they just released Gorilla Glass 5 and the reviews of the Note 7 are that it is quite delicate.
Bring on the scratch resistance!
Bring on the scratch resistance!
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I was going to say that. If that watch in the pic was the Apple Watch, I'd sell my version 1 in a hot second and buy that.
It doesn't look like a duck, it doesn't sound like a duck, it's because it is not a duck.
No, Apple doesn't use Gorilla Glass anymore.
And for good, because now Corning makes "Gorilla Plastic" for their 5th generation product.
You can always wait for the next iteration
Or I could just buy and wear an Apple Watch that is already comfortable.
Ironic that this photo is what the iWatch should've looked like.
I remember reading that somewhere as well. It was like Corning developed it back in the 60's and it was useless back then so they put the recipe in the safe and forgot about it. Then Steve jobs came to them during Iphone 1 development and was like "remember that glass you made?"
What are you basing that on exactly? Realistically they only have 3 choices of volume manufacturers. The glass in iProducts definitely isn't Xensation. Some of it could be DragonTail. The only other supplier it could be is Corning.
If they're not using Gorilla Glass what do you think they're using? Please don't say Ion-X. Ion-X is simply Gorilla Glass.
Ironic how people say Apple is form over function and then complain Apple didn't use a better looking/worse in practice design.
Yawwwwwnnn...
Corning and their overselling...
In real world usage, their Gorilla Glass products almost always perform worse than advertised.
Corning and their overselling...
In real world usage, their Gorilla Glass products almost always perform worse than advertised.
I was tempted to reply with snark by asking you if you have any proof they don't. I mean, you seemed pretty adamant that Apple doesn't use Gorilla Glass. I just assumed you knew of an alternative they could be using. Regardless, I will do you the courtesy of answering your question.
Yes my evidence is circumstantial. Circumstantial, but entirely factual. As previously stated, they could only be using Corning's Gorilla Glass, Asahi Glass' DragonTail, or Schott AG's Xensation. Xensation is most likely out since 1. They are no longer listed on Apple's supplier list. 2. Both Asahi and Corning are listed (this is why I originally posted my belief that all iProducts don't contain GG). 3. Corning has 3 plant locations that make Gorilla Glass (Kentucky, Taiwan, and S. Korea). On Apple's supplier list above, Corning only has two listings: the plants in Kentucky and Taiwan. Just guessing, but the plant in S. Korea probably handles another big GG customer.
My assertion regarding Ion-X glass? Same circumstantial type evidence. Apple's description of Ion-X glass:
"Ion-X glass is the same material used in the windows of space shuttles and high-speed trains. This glass is thin and light, yet surprisingly strong — five times stronger than regular glass. Which made it the perfect choice for Apple Watch Sport. There are many ways to strengthen glass at the surface, but Ion-X glass is hardened down to its molecules. During the manufacturing process, the glass is dipped in a 750-degree molten potassium salt bath. That's when ion exchange takes place, with the smaller sodium ions being removed from the glass and replaced by larger potassium ions. As the glass cools, these larger ions create an extremely hard surface layer that is resistant to scratches and impact."
Here's Corning's description of their ion exchange process from GG3 in 2014:
"Ion exchange is a chemical strengthening process where large ions are “stuffed” into the glass surface, creating a state of compression. Gorilla Glass is specially designed to maximize this behavior. The glass is placed in a hot bath of molten salt at a temperature of approximately 400°C. Smaller sodium ions leave the glass, and larger potassium ions from the salt bath replace them. These larger ions take up more room and are pressed together when the glass cools, producing a layer of compressive stress on the surface of the glass..."
Does any of this mean I am 100% right? Most assuredly not. That's why I called it my conspiracy theory. Still curious though. What does Zirel think Apple is using?
This story perhaps?
"[Jobs] said he wanted as much gorilla glass as Corning could make within six months.'We don't have the capacity,' Weeks replied. 'None of our plants make the glass now.'
'Don't be afraid,' Jobs replied. This stunned Weeks, who was good-humored and confident but not used to Jobs' reality distortion field. He tried to explain that a false sense of confidence would not overcome engineering challenges, but that was a premise that Jobs had repeatedly shown he didn't accept. He stared at Weeks unblinking. 'Yes, you can do it,' he said. 'Get your mind around it. You can do it."
As Weeks retold this story, he shook his head in astonishment. 'We did it in under six months,' he said. 'We produced a glass that had never been made.' Corning's facility in Harrisburg, Kentucky, which had been making LCD displays, was converted almost overnight to make gorilla glass full-time. 'We put our best scientists and engineers on it, and we just made it work.' In his airy office, Weeks has just one framed memento on display. It's a message Jobs sent the day the iPhone came out: 'We couldn't have done it without you.'"
I think you're giving the watch industry a little too much credit on their ability to innovate
I was tempted to reply with snark by asking you if you have any proof they don't. I mean, you seemed pretty adamant that Apple doesn't use Gorilla Glass. I just assumed you knew of an alternative they could be using. Regardless, I will do you the courtesy of answering your question.
Yes my evidence is circumstantial. Circumstantial, but entirely factual. As previously stated, they could only be using Corning's Gorilla Glass, Asahi Glass' DragonTail, or Schott AG's Xensation. Xensation is most likely out since 1. They are no longer listed on Apple's supplier list. 2. Both Asahi and Corning are listed (this is why I originally posted my belief that all iProducts don't contain GG). 3. Corning has 3 plant locations that make Gorilla Glass (Kentucky, Taiwan, and S. Korea). On Apple's supplier list above, Corning only has two listings: the plants in Kentucky and Taiwan. Just guessing, but the plant in S. Korea probably handles another big GG customer.
My assertion regarding Ion-X glass? Same circumstantial type evidence. Apple's description of Ion-X glass:
"Ion-X glass is the same material used in the windows of space shuttles and high-speed trains. This glass is thin and light, yet surprisingly strong — five times stronger than regular glass. Which made it the perfect choice for Apple Watch Sport. There are many ways to strengthen glass at the surface, but Ion-X glass is hardened down to its molecules. During the manufacturing process, the glass is dipped in a 750-degree molten potassium salt bath. That's when ion exchange takes place, with the smaller sodium ions being removed from the glass and replaced by larger potassium ions. As the glass cools, these larger ions create an extremely hard surface layer that is resistant to scratches and impact."
Here's Corning's description of their ion exchange process from GG3 in 2014:
"Ion exchange is a chemical strengthening process where large ions are “stuffed” into the glass surface, creating a state of compression. Gorilla Glass is specially designed to maximize this behavior. The glass is placed in a hot bath of molten salt at a temperature of approximately 400°C. Smaller sodium ions leave the glass, and larger potassium ions from the salt bath replace them. These larger ions take up more room and are pressed together when the glass cools, producing a layer of compressive stress on the surface of the glass..."
Does any of this mean I am 100% right? Most assuredly not. That's why I called it my conspiracy theory. Still curious though. What does Zirel think Apple is using?
750f is 398.889 Celsius roughly
I've been wearing my Sport for over a year now (since last June, 2015), and my watch face has no scratches. This is despite a 4/day per week gym routine with weights, a good deal of travel by train, plane, and automobile(!), and general life.