Gorilla Glass-Maker Plans To Produce Glass Suitable For Folding iPhones (arstechnica.com) 78
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: According to Wired, glass-maker Corning is "working on ultrathin, bendable glass that's 0.1 millimeters thick and can bend to a 5 millimeter radius" that may be usable for smartphone displays within two years. Corning produces Gorilla Glass used in Apple's iPhones, as well as in phones made by other manufacturers like LG, Asus, OnePlus, Nokia, Samsung, and more. Developing Gorilla Glass that can bend or fold like the materials used for the Samsung Galaxy Fold display or other foldable phone concepts could address some shortcomings endemic to these early designs.
The folding phones you see in headlines and gadget blog galleries today rely on plastic polymers that may scratch easier or have other undesirable properties. Generally, smartphone-makers that have announced foldable phones have not allowed us to test-drive these phones, which is otherwise normal practice for traditional smartphone product unveilings. That may be primarily because the software is not there yet, but it could also be that the companies anticipate negative reactions to the plastic displays, which have not been standard in flagship phones for a decade. [...] John Bayne, Corning's head of Gorilla Glass, and another expert Wired spoke with believe that Corning (or a competitor like ACG) will have foldable glass ready for use in foldable smartphones within a couple of years. But it's a difficult journey. "We have glasses we've sampled to customers, and they're functional," Bayne told Wired. "But they're not quite meeting all the requirements. People either want better performance against a drop event or a tighter bend radius. We can give them one or the other; the key is to give them both."
The folding phones you see in headlines and gadget blog galleries today rely on plastic polymers that may scratch easier or have other undesirable properties. Generally, smartphone-makers that have announced foldable phones have not allowed us to test-drive these phones, which is otherwise normal practice for traditional smartphone product unveilings. That may be primarily because the software is not there yet, but it could also be that the companies anticipate negative reactions to the plastic displays, which have not been standard in flagship phones for a decade. [...] John Bayne, Corning's head of Gorilla Glass, and another expert Wired spoke with believe that Corning (or a competitor like ACG) will have foldable glass ready for use in foldable smartphones within a couple of years. But it's a difficult journey. "We have glasses we've sampled to customers, and they're functional," Bayne told Wired. "But they're not quite meeting all the requirements. People either want better performance against a drop event or a tighter bend radius. We can give them one or the other; the key is to give them both."
Best technology used for garbage (Score:3, Interesting)
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I'm sure Corning would be happy to talk with you about using their product in the much less inane and useless products that you produce.
Re:Best technology used for garbage (Score:5, Insightful)
I think we have been jaded because Smart phones are so commonly used, that we really don't realize how Amazing technology it it.
Thinking back 20 years ago.
A Cell phone just did calls, If you had the premium model it would support Digial Phone Service, and you would be able to Text (expensively) and have features like a contact list.
Your PC or laptop would have a Wired Internet Connection (If you were on the cutting edge, or in college or worked for a big company) you would have an Ethernet connection, however most people would connect with a modem (56k)
Crazy Expensive Addons for your PC would be a Web Cam that can display 320x200 or a fancy one at 640x480 resolution. If you wanted a GPS be ready to shell out Thousands of dollars, and need custom Windows Only software that plugs into your serial port that will allow you to upload maps to it.
Touch Screens were one finger only and you often had to press like the dickens to get it to respond.
PDAs at the time, may have a color display, but no internet access, they were high tech notepads, and pocket planners.
So now over the course of my day, I can access information whenever I want. When Exposed to a term that I haven't heard before, I can look it up. For example I was looking at job openings, and I saw a lot of Jobs open for a "Full Stack Developer" I never was exposed to that term before, So I looked it up, and realized it was the type of work that I have been doing for the past 20 years. Even searching for the job openings I had my phone. I am lost, I can pull out the Map app, and see where to go. I need a flashlight, I have a flashlight, I need to magnify something, I can take the camera app and Zoom in.
It is easy to be jaded, because nearly everyone has a smartphone now. And often it is used as a toy to play a game, or to gossip with classmates. And we are mostly exposed to small updates over time in software and hardware. Getting a new feature, that we currently don't know how to implement, then gradually over time becoming an important feature.
Yes we may be using Gorilla Glass in some non-consumer technology too. Bust just become something is common and often used for silly things, doesn't mean it is a bad technology.
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What would you like to use Gorilla Glass for? (Score:2)
What is a less inane and useless application for this amazing technology?
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What is a less inane and useless application for this amazing technology?
As a member of the four-eyed community, I can certainly think of at least one rather obvious one.
Try opening your eyes to the world around you. Helps to not to be so shortsighted next time.
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What is a less inane and useless application for this amazing technology?
As a member of the four-eyed community, I can certainly think of at least one rather obvious one.
Try opening your eyes to the world around you. Helps to not to be so shortsighted next time.
Could you just imagine glasses that can automatically adjust to where you are looking? I like my varifocals, but weird enoough, the can give neck strain because you have to hold your head in the sweet spot. I forgot what I was missing until I got prescription computer glasses that focus exactly at the distance from my eyeballs to my computer screen. Tack sharp, and I can move my head around. My neck thanks me.
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I think the poster is just annoyed on how Computing Technology has reached popularity with the common folks. No longer the day of "Computer Wiz kids" who knew how to use a computer, write simple programs, and set the Time on the VCR. Back in the 1980's and 1990's while were were called Nerds and Geeks as an insult, we were able to do stuff that the normal people couldn't do, this made us feel special and powerful in our own ways. Now most of this stuff is common and no big deal. It now seems what made us
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I think the poster is just annoyed on how Computing Technology has reached popularity with the common folks...
Uh, no not quite. The parent is rather annoyed because we've taken a cool technology and pretty much limited it to one kind of disposable electronics.
It's like inventing Teflon and then deciding to only make non-stick windshield wipers with it. Somewhat useful, but in the big picture basically an utter waste of the technology.
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The parent is rather annoyed because we've taken a cool technology and pretty much limited it
Except that there is no "limit". If he, or you, have another application, Corning will be happy to talk to you. There are other companies, including Schott and AGC, that also make scratch resistant glass. Go for it.
to one kind of disposable electronics.
... that is used daily by four billion people, in many cases greatly improving their economic well-being [scranton.edu].
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Wait, there are non-stick windshield wipers?
*goes to google*
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"Gorilla Glass" is a really cool technology. Maybe we could have a discussion about using it for something other than people's personal entertainment addiction gadgets? I can't think of a more inane and ultimately useless use for such an amazing technology.
Like making a giant domed gorilla glass safe space for Apple conspiracy theorists?
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I can't think of a more inane and ultimately useless use for such an amazing technology
he typed, fingers darting across the keyboard so he could get first post on Slashdot.
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I can't think of a more inane and ultimately useless use for such an amazing technology.
What makes you say that? The only use case for gorilla glass is a surface that is um thick. If you had any other use than a display on a thin gadget you'd use something stronger like one of the many traditional toughened glass processes.
#metoo public relations for the investors (Score:1)
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Glass is a very poor material for a phone screen, and is positively inexcusable on the back of a phone, but Corning has done well in the pr department.
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Re: #metoo public relations for the investors (Score:1)
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That said, all my earlier phones had plastic screens, none had screen protectors or cases, and none had any problem. Better yet, you can get
Foldable/Rollable Vertical rather than Horizontal (Score:3)
I guess having a cell phone that opens like a paperback book increases usability/viewing area but is anybody looking at turning something the size of a USB thumb drive into a full sized cell phone by unrolling it in the vertical ("Y") direction?
In a lot of ways, that would be a lot more interesting to me - have something small that I can just use as a phone with a minimal screen for seeing who's calling and select a number to call and expand when I need to access other features/apps on the device.
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While an interesting idea. The question is by rolling it in the Y direction, what problem are you going to solve.
The standard Cell phone size, seems about right to fit into pockets. While current tablets which are more useful with extra screen space, cannot fit in your pocket, causing people to not use them as much as their phone due to lack of portability. So the folding a tablet in half to fit the phone dimensions solves a problem.
Let us redefine progress to mean just because we can do a things, doesn't
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I guess having a cell phone that opens like a paperback book increases usability/viewing area but is anybody looking at turning something the size of a USB thumb drive into a full sized cell phone by unrolling it in the vertical ("Y") direction?
In a lot of ways, that would be a lot more interesting to me - have something small that I can just use as a phone with a minimal screen for seeing who's calling and select a number to call and expand when I need to access other features/apps on the device.
Call me when we have subdermal implants for our phones, and internal retinal "screen" projection inside our eyes.
This so called high tech stuff today is so lame and primitive.
You mean like this? (Score:2)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
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I guess having a cell phone that opens like a paperback book increases usability/viewing area but is anybody looking at turning something the size of a USB thumb drive into a full sized cell phone by unrolling it in the vertical ("Y") direction?
Not with the current bending radius. Rolling would be more feasible.
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The sooner we kill off the all glass phone the better!
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half the phones you see have at least one corner of them cracked and shattered
That feels like a gross overstatement. I've seen a lot of kids out and about with cracked iPhone screens. What I haven't noticed is a similar number of adults with cracked screens. Maybe they're more careful, or maybe they're better able to afford to get their phones repaired. Personally, I've never cracked a screen, and I've never dropped my phone outdoors. Guess I've just been lucky.
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Or maybe their parents give their old phones to their kids and grandparents, which is exactly what happens in my large extended family that lives all over the US?
Think of that Geico commercial about the young son getting Beige Betty that his older sister had, when she gets a new car herself.
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Before glass screens, phones lasted a long time and without any case needed. Now with glass on both sides of every phone, everyone needs a case, and half the phones you see have at least one corner of them cracked and shattered, the lifespan of a phone has also dropped dramatically while prices soar.
I have yet to see a screen that a young person can't destroy. So this will simply give them multiple screens to mess up.
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When did Apple even get a folding phone?!
Or the obvious (Score:1)
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Or here's a thought Corning, come up with glass that will last for the life of the phone instead of breaking so easily. I care less about a folding phone and more about a phone I can use without a gigantic case.
I have a lifeproof waterproof case for my iPhone 7 that isn't a lot bigger than the phone (unlike the one for my old iPhone 5. Not cheap, but I do enough stuff at and on the ocean that anything needs protection. I cringe when I see people at the beach, using their phones in the surf, often getting them submerged.
While in an ideal world, there would be no need for such a thing, but that little computer that people use to access their Facebook is still a little computer with some sensitive stuff in it.
A
âoe"But they're not quite meeting all the req (Score:2)
I appreciate them being transparent about their glass.
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I appreciate them being transparent about their glass.
I can see right through your agenda.
Unbreakable glass, 0.1mm thick... (Score:2)
If it's transparent enough and available in large enough panes, I'd have a use for it.
Plus, it should be easy to clean. That would be a bonus.
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Nothing Cornell has made up until now has been unbreakable, judging by all the cracked glass fronts and backs I've seen out there. I doubt this new glass will be "unbreakable" either. Although being flexible it might be less prone to crack less as it it can bend and flex.
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A few cracks and splinters flaking off don't matter for the purpose I have in mind. Actually, they might work in favor of the intended application.
Folding the display on the outside of the phone (Score:2)
is going to expose the glass to all the abrasive stuff in your pocket/bag. The fold area is going to suffer the greatest wear. How many micro scratches acting as stress risers will it take before it breaks, with sharp edges waiting for your hand?
Folding phones is a dumb idea that no one -except phone makers- wants. Now a folding phone with a notch, that's something else entirely. I WANT one of those!
What about Samsung design? (Score:2)
Folding the display on the outside of the phone is going to expose the glass to all the abrasive stuff in your pocket/bag.
Yes, true.
So doesn't the Samsung idea seem good? A simple durable display on the outside, and the more delicate screens folded against each other for protection?
That can mean protection for the folding area as well.
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Folding the display on the outside of the phone is going to expose the glass to all the abrasive stuff in your pocket/bag.
Yes, true.
So doesn't the Samsung idea seem good? A simple durable display on the outside, and the more delicate screens folded against each other for protection?
That can mean protection for the folding area as well.
But the screen(s) aren't folded against each other, they only touch at the outer edge. IOW they don't fold in as much as they bend about as much that a ball point refill will fall right through.
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It still seems like even with a gap, nothing in your pocket can rub against the screens since they are protecting each other. In fact I feel a bit better about the screens not touching, as I was wondering if a bit of dust or sand got in there when you closed it if that would cause issues... with the screens physically separated some small amount, and nothing able to exert pressure on them, it does not seem like they could be damaged while in the pocket.
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Unless the wear and tear and scratches is a feature (forces customers to replace phones more quickly), not a bug (lets customers keep phones longer and then we have to let them replace batteries that degrade over time).
The solution is obvious... (Score:2)
Not sure if this is the solution but (Score:2)
Solution looking for a Problem (Score:2)
I really feel like we have the engineers (ooh, shiny!) leading the process here, not the marketing (what problems do our customers have?) teams.
Who really needs a foldable iPhone when you can instead make a flip phone?
Schott produced this for years already (Score:2)