“Apple Inc. opened a production laboratory in northern Taiwan where engineers are developing new display technologies, according to people with knowledge of the facility,” Tim Culpan reports for Bloomberg. “The Apple building in Longtan has at least 50 engineers and other workers creating new screens for devices including iPhones and iPads, the people said, asking not to be identified because the details aren’t public. Apple has recruited from local display maker AU Optronics Corp. and Qualcomm Inc., which used to own the building, the people said.”
“Apple began operating the lab this year as it aims to make products thinner, lighter, brighter and more energy-efficient,” Culpan reports. “Engineers are developing more-advanced versions of the liquid-crystal displays currently used in iPhones, iPads and Mac personal computers, the people said. Apple also is keen to move to organic light-emitting diodes, which are even thinner and don’t require a backlight, they said.”
“By working directly on the development of display technologies, Apple can reduce reliance on the technology developed by suppliers such as Samsung Electronics Co., LG Display Co., Sharp Corp. and Japan Display Inc.,” Culpan reports. “Instead, the company can develop the production processes in-house and outsource to smaller manufacturers such as Taiwan’s AU Optronics or Innolux Corp.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Thin is obviously in at Apple.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Dan K.” for the heads up.]