Edible Apple

Always looking to push the envelope, Apple is reportedly looking into implementing IGZO display technology into future generations of the iPhone and iPad.

IGZO stands for indium gallium zinc oxide – for all you science nerds out there, and will perhaps someday be used in new types of LCD screens. The advantage of IGZO displays is that they are thinner and provide higher resolution while using less power – and given the plethora of processor intensive mobile computing tasks these days, efficient power consumption is always at a premium.

Apple is reportedly in close discussions with Sharp regarding just how much IGZO supply will be available in 2013. With Apple selling millions of iOS devices each and every year, finding a supplier capable of keeping up with demand is clearly something Apple needs to take with utmost seriousness.

Apple is reportedly further evaluating how much IGZO panel supply will be available in 2013 if it were to use the technology in its next generation iPad, iPad mini and iPhone products, according to industry sources.

The sources said Apple is in further discussions with Sharp over IGZO panel production capacity estimates for 2013 and is also inquiring about whether AU Optronics’ (AUO) L5C line could be used to produce the technology.

Additionally, Innolux Corporation (formerly Chimei Innolux, or CMI) has reportedly been licensed by Sharp to use Sharp’s IGZO technology on its 3G and 5G lines, which could mean that Innolux may enter Apple’s supply chain in the future, added the sources.

via Digitimes