The IT gravy train has become seriously derailed
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Apple patents crack resistant glass technology
SMARTPHONE AND TABLET MAKER Apple has patented a crack resistant glass technology for use in its next Iphone, potentially solving one of the major problems affecting smartphones.
The technique employs a tunable shock mount between the glass and the body of the device. In the event of the device falling the internal accelerometer will alert the mount so that it can instantly inflate to take a lot of the impact of a fall away from the glass.
The patent also involves the use of 'exotic materials', presumably that can be used in a more resilient screen, and Apple is also working on a water damage prevention seal for even more smartphone durability, according to Patently Apple.
The tougher glass technology will likely be a worthwhile investment for Apple, as it has already been taken to court in a class action lawsuit filed by one Donald LeBuhn in January this year over allegedly misleading customers about the durability of the glass used in the Iphone 4. LeBuhn complained that the glass on his Iphone 4 broke when dropped by his daughter, yet the glass on his Iphone 3GS remained intact with a similar fall, suggesting that Apple had somehow made the glass screen on the newer device inferior.
The Iphone 5, which likely is due in the latter half of 2012, might use this new technology that Apple has been working on. That might make it an attractive feature for butter-fingered consumers who are afraid to spend hundreds of pounds on a smartphone that is likely to end up spending more time on the floor than in their hands.
Amazon has also been toying with an idea for saving dropped phones. In August it applied for a patent on a plan to include miniature airbags in a phone that could save it from smashing if it falls to the ground. It also uses the accelerometer to detect the fall, setting Amazon up to compete even more with Apple in a potential feature for their next devices. µ
Tags: Apple
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The is really good news for I have been through 3 glass replacements so far in less than 3 months. My company decided to make the iPhone the primary device and even went as far to remove all the desk phones after loading the Cisco app on our units. The first glass breakage came shortly afterwards when I have the phone between a few papers that I moved on my desk. My company then gave us all iFusion’s so our iPhones would stay docked within a traditional handset. This solved the problem at work however the next two glass breaks happened while getting out of the car. This is really good news and look forward to having it.
Surprised that INQ didn't say that Amazon have filed a similar patent to this, given they reported on it in August! ;)
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2101851/amazon-applies-mobile-phone-airbag-patent
Lately there's a new move in the display industry to switch from glass to plastic, so maybe this patent will help that along because nobody want to be under apple parent pressure but if apple makes their screen superrobust the others in the industry want the same feature.
Or maybe this is one of the 500000 patents apple never uses, and it might only be a trick to milk money from the US army if they put it in their phones.
My son bought a heavy rubber casing for his iphone 3gs. He drops it quite frequently, including having it fall out of his pocket and landing on the road as he rode his bike. The phone works perfectly, and the screen is undamages. The downside is that it more than doubles the thickness of the iphone itself.
If a phone is using accelerometers to determine if a phone is "falling" and activates airbags, that's gonna piss me off that I can't toss it onto my bed or the couch like I often do now. Sure, I could train myself to not do that, but you only have to forget once and then you're bringing it in to have the airbags replaced!
If Apple's system is reusable without needing service that's fine, but how many deployments would it be good for before something goes wrong. Does Apple really want something mechnical like that that could lead to a lot of warranty claims and/or bad press?
patently bloody obvious
What happens if drop it twice? The air for inflating can't be unlimited. (Even the A$ version almost has to be compressed air for quick reaction.)
This appears a high-tech weenie idea that creates more problem than solves.
I foresee A$ users happily demonstrating how their phone is drop-proof -- probably just ONCE -- but they'll keep showing off until it breaks.
Is it equally resistant to other drugs?
Obviously the fruit suckers have become so allergic to the word plastic so lets have a round of applause for Appletastic™
Scientists have identified a gene that will make you grow some octopus suction cups on your palms so you will never drop your phone again.