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What are the seams for?
- Thread starter MikeyTree
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Agreed. I actually like the seams.
I find funny that folks would actually not buy the new iPhone because of an exterior design feature. Forget usability -- give me a cool exterior!
If you want a pretty phone, go buy an HTC Incredible. I did, just to test, and it's going back today.
I don't like them, but I've seen enough evidence to believe that the product we saw was final.
And I like the iPhone enough that the seams won't keep me from purchasing it. Betting most users will feel the same.
I haven't seen anything like the iphone from the gizmodo pictures. Also, perhaps this was an older prototype of a design concept that is not going to be used anymore or a newer prototype has been made since without the seams (but not lost in a bar). Surely they don't make a single model and go with it. I think that no matter what we think we know, there is a very low chance that that that is what Apple will unveil.
Also, the seams don't look bad enough for me to not buy an iPhone.
I couldn't care less about the seams. I'll buy the new iPhone when it's released simply because it's the best damn phone I've ever used. End of.
I think the top seam since it's, as stated by Gizmodo, "break through" so light can get through, that it's only logical that they moved the ambient light sensor there to make room for the front facing camera, which makes more sense to me. As far as the 2 side "seams", they could be for accessories to clip on, like a glucose meter, speaker, or game pad. Just my 2 cents..
I'm going with the shock absorption theory, specially because of the positioning of the seams.
The iPhone is a lot more likely to fall on its bottom part than on its top, since normally you're holding it "correctly". Thus, 2 seams in the bottom part.
As for the top seam, looks like an extra "security measure" to me, in case the phone falls on one of its top corners. One seam, instead of one, since a) either 2 or 4 seams wouldn't look as aesthetically pleasing, and b) falls on the top corners aren't as frequent.
Also, the whole engineering of it kind of supports this theory. The fact that the rubber material appears to continue inside makes sense: the absorbed energy from the shock would be sent through all the rubber, distributing all the energy through a larger surface, thus making it a lot less straining to the overall device.
The iPhone is a lot more likely to fall on its bottom part than on its top, since normally you're holding it "correctly". Thus, 2 seams in the bottom part.
As for the top seam, looks like an extra "security measure" to me, in case the phone falls on one of its top corners. One seam, instead of one, since a) either 2 or 4 seams wouldn't look as aesthetically pleasing, and b) falls on the top corners aren't as frequent.
Also, the whole engineering of it kind of supports this theory. The fact that the rubber material appears to continue inside makes sense: the absorbed energy from the shock would be sent through all the rubber, distributing all the energy through a larger surface, thus making it a lot less straining to the overall device.
Shock absorption is a good guess, however, this prototype has edge-to-edge glass, meaning that no matter where it lands, it will almost always fall on a vulnerable glass corner. And no matter how many shock absorbing seams they put into the side, glass will still be rigid, it's still made from one piece. I might be wrong, but I can't imagine such seams helping much when there is so much exposed glass on this device. Especially that the seams are on the sides (well, yes, they can't be in the glass, obviously), which only helps if the phone falls on the aluminium side, which is unlikely.
On the previous iPhones, Apple made sure that the glass isn't exposed since the metal frame protruded a bit beyond the glass screen. So even if the phone would fall screen-down, the metal would touch the ground first. But most often it falls on one of the rounded, plastic corners, which of course resist shock very well.
On the previous iPhones, Apple made sure that the glass isn't exposed since the metal frame protruded a bit beyond the glass screen. So even if the phone would fall screen-down, the metal would touch the ground first. But most often it falls on one of the rounded, plastic corners, which of course resist shock very well.
Sure will be interesting to see how it fares in drop tests with that edge-to-edge glass on both sides ...
Perhaps the seams won't be visible normally?
What if we haven't seen the full picture yet? Maybe part of the phone's outer casing is missing on these leaked units?
For example, how about having the outer edge of the phone wrapped in a silicone rubber 'band' that's thick enough to cushion falls and wide enough to protect the fragile glass edges. Something akin to a finely engineered version of a "Livestrong" silicone rubber bracelet. Nice 'n' grippy.
It could have holes punched in it for access to all the connectors and raised moulded buttons. It could wrap over both glass faces a fraction (like most regular silicone cases do) to grip tightly and further protect the glass edges.
Best of all, it's user replaceable and comes in a pack of five different colors for the magically incredible price of $29
Perfect for AT&T family plans.
What if we haven't seen the full picture yet? Maybe part of the phone's outer casing is missing on these leaked units?
For example, how about having the outer edge of the phone wrapped in a silicone rubber 'band' that's thick enough to cushion falls and wide enough to protect the fragile glass edges. Something akin to a finely engineered version of a "Livestrong" silicone rubber bracelet. Nice 'n' grippy.
It could have holes punched in it for access to all the connectors and raised moulded buttons. It could wrap over both glass faces a fraction (like most regular silicone cases do) to grip tightly and further protect the glass edges.
Best of all, it's user replaceable and comes in a pack of five different colors for the magically incredible price of $29
Perfect for AT&T family plans.
I believe the glass is actually surrounded by a metal frame which holds it. This metal frame has clips which fit into a groove carved into the inside surface of the aluminum, but the glass itself is not rigidly connected to it. The glass is primarily connected to the interior components, which are connected to the case only through rubber connections. I see only one rigid connection to the internals (the screw which holds the back on); all other connections between the parts of the case -- and between the case and the internal components -- are made through these rubber connectors. The screen and the internal components have effectively been isolated from shocks to the case.
But if you look at the photos, I think it's quite visible that there isn't any frame surrounding the glass! I may be wrong but the edge just seems to be just polished glass... The aluminium edge does extend a bit further than the glass, which does protect the glass but only if the phone falls on the side. If it falls anywhere else, it will hit the glass edge. I think the glass is somehow glued on, just like on the current iPhones and iPod Touches. In the current iPod Touch, I think I can tell that the metal edge does not touch the glass, so the glass isn't held in place by the metal, it has to be glued on or something.
If the glass is indeed glued on, then the back of the 4G iPhone is probably glued on the same way as the front, which means there's no easy way to remove it if it has to be repaired. In this manner, there has to be some other way to access the internals, so that's probably why we have the seams. However, Apple may as well just remove the seams in the final product, since they don't count on repairing iPhones, instead, they'll replace the entire device just like they do with the iPad. It makes it easy for them, no need for more engineers, and they can make the device more compact by removing access doors and screws. It makes sense in Apple logic: the old Mighty Mouse was glued together, the new notebooks don't have an easily replaceable battery, especially not the MacBook Air, so it makes sense that Apple is moving into a direction of (semi-)permanently assembled devices.
Exactly as I suspected...those clips on the side are not screwed into anything. You can clearly see that he has to hold it tightly to prevent the screen from falling out.
People keep talking about rubber. I don't see any. If anything there will be a gasket between the glass and the frame as in previous iPhones, but nothing truly meant for shock absorption. I really don't think the seams have any real shock absorption properties.
The seams were incorporated on the prototype to encourage and stimulate forum discussion for the amusement of Apple designers.
They worked.
A mythical hatch you say?...is this something to do with the Dharma Initiative?
What if one side had butter on it?..Einstein proved that bread always falls butter side down....what if the cuboid had butter on one side?
They worked.
A mythical hatch you say?...is this something to do with the Dharma Initiative?
What if one side had butter on it?..Einstein proved that bread always falls butter side down....what if the cuboid had butter on one side?
I bet if you look hard enough you'll find the following numbers inside the iPhone somewhere:
4 8 15 16 23 42
Is the back really made of glass? I saw the video with the Vietnamese guy tapping on the back. It sounded like he was tapping on plastic. Does anyone know what he was saying when he was tapping on the back?
It's commonly accepted that Apple will use Zirconia which they gained a patent for using as a radio transparent material.
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=3105171#post3105171