Edible Apple

Some interesting news on an otherwise slow Friday news day. The Taiwan based Central News Agency is reporting, citing research analyst David Hsieh, that the iPhone 5 will incporate “in-cell” technology which will result in a potentially much thinner device.

This story was echoed by a Digitimes report:

Apple’s new iPhone, which is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2012, is likely to adopt in-cell touch panels rolled out by Sharp and Toshiba Mobile Display (TMD), according to sources in Apple’s supply chain.

An improvement in yield rates of the in-cell touch panels at Sharp and TMD has persuaded Apple to choose to cooperate with Japan-based panel makers, the sources noted.

Sharp will produce the in-cell panels at its 5.5G lines, while TMD will utilize its 6G lines for production, indicated the sources, adding that the two makers will begin to ramp up in-cell panel production in the second quarter of 2012.

Earlier this week, a Korean report surfaced claiming that the iPhone 5 will employ “liquid metal” alloys, also in an effort to deliver a thinner form factor while increasing device durability. Also, remember that previous iPhone 5 reports have pointed to a device with a longer form factor and a larger 4-inch screen.