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Gorilla Glass 6 gives phones a better shot at surviving multiple drops
Toughened glass has long protected your phone against a singular drop, but one-and-done isn't how it works in real life -- we've all seen butterfingers users whose device falls to the floor on a seemingly weekly basis. Those not-so-coordinated people might have a little less to worry about going forward. Corning has unveiled Gorilla Glass 6, whose composition has been altered to better survive multiple drops without breaking. In tests, it could handle an average of 15 drops on to a rough surface from 3.3 feet. That's up to twice as good as Gorilla Glass 5, and supposedly much better than rivals whose glass might not even make it through the first fall.
Apple invests $200 million in Corning's US glass manufacturing
Apple is awarding $200 million of its billion-dollar Advanced Manufacturing Fund to Corning Incorporated for research and development, "capital equipment needs" and high-tech glass processing. In a statement, Corning's CEO Wendell P. Weeks said that this has created around 1,000 jobs domestically, and will benefit its Harrodsburg production facility in Kentucky, specifically.
Corning's latest Gorilla Glass will make wearables tougher
The latest Gorilla Glass variant out of Corning's offices was specifically designed for wearables, which tend to be more exposed to damage than phones. Corning describes Gorilla Glass SR+ as a whole new composite that's different from previous versions and is based on Project Phire. If you'll recall, the company teased a new type of glass called Project Phire in 2015 that's almost as scratch-resistant as sapphire.
Corning can now print high-res images on its Gorilla Glass
Corning revealed a new use for its line of toughened touch surfaces on Tuesday, dubbed Vibrant Gorilla Glass, which will enable manufacturers to print high-resolution images on the material. "It provides a wide range of color possibilities that you just can't get from traditional screen printing processes," Scott Forester, director, Gorilla Glass Innovations, told me during a recent call.
The next Ford GT has a Gorilla Glass windshield
Corning, the firm that's famous for making the glass for your smartphone that never, ever breaks, has now signed a deal with Ford. The firms are teaming up to produce a new windshield glass for next year's Ford GT that promises to be thinner, lighter and tougher than anything that's gone before. The Gorilla Glass hybrid (two capital Gs, one lowercase h) will not only be seen up front on the new ride, but also to replace the glass that normally sits on the engine cover window.
Your next phone could have a fingerprint reader on its screen
Security technology firm Sonavation recently unveiled a novel means of embedding an ultrasonic fingerprint reader directly into a Gorilla Glass display. With it, mobile devices would no longer need a physical button, like the iPhone's Home button, to use as a fingerprint reader. Instead, they'd be able to press anywhere on the screen, finger grease smudges allowing. Apple has reportedly been working on a similar idea, although it doesn't seem likely we'd see a buttonless iPhone for at least another year.
Corning's sapphire-like glass keeps your smartphone scratch-free
Based on hype alone, you'd think that sapphire was the ultimate replacement for glass on phone screens. However, that's not totally true -- while sapphire is extremely scratch-resistant, it's both more expensive and more likely to shatter if your device nose-dives into the sidewalk. Corning may have found a way to combine the best properties of both materials, though. It recently teased Project Phire, a glass that's as resistant to drops as Gorilla Glass 4 while touting scratch protection that "approaches" sapphire. The company isn't saying much more about the technology at this point, but it should go on sale sometime later this year.
LaCie's latest artist collaboration is a hard drive wrapped in Gorilla Glass
For the past two years, LaCie has revealed at least one new artist collaboration at CES, and this year is no different. Keeping with the reflective theme of last year's device, the 2015 edition is wrapped in Gorilla Glass and appropriately called Mirror. After teaming up with Philippe Starck and Christofle for previous releases, the company tasked French designer Pauline Deltour for a shiny 1TB hard drive that's covered in Corning's durable glass material and powered through a USB connection (no Thunderbolt here). To properly show the thing off on your desk, a stand of ebony wood provides a resting spot. If you're looking to keep the collection going, or just nab this particular entry, Mirror will arrive later this month for $280. What's that? You were hoping LaCie would have a new Rugged portable hard drive, too? Well, read on.
Why celebrities are suing video game studios, the Fire HD 6 and other stories you might've missed
So, why are certain celebrities suing video game companies? Well, it has a little somethin' to do with right of publicity law. This week, we broke down Lindsey Lohan's battle with Rockstar games, reviewed the Fire HD 6, toured the world's most tech-infused cruise ship, and more. The best part? It's all just a click away. Oh, and be sure to subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
Gorilla Glass 4 shouldn't shatter when you drop your phone
Plenty of mobile device screens can easily resist minor cracks and scratches, but let's be honest -- those aren't the biggest problems. No, the real crisis comes when you drop your phone and the display shatters into many pieces. Thankfully, Corning is tackling that accident-related damage in earnest with Gorilla Glass 4. The newly formulated cover material is designed to survive collisions with rough surfaces, like the sidewalk. It's reportedly very effective, if imperfect. While conventional soda-lime glass will always break if you drop it from a meter (3.3 feet) above the ground, Gorilla Glass 4 will remain intact 80 percent of the time. You shouldn't be careless, in other words, but the added resistance could mean the difference between a costly out-of-warranty repair and carrying on with your day.
Future phones will have security measures built into the glass
The glass on your smartphone screen doesn't do a lot right now: it lets pictures and touch input get through, and that's about it. It may pick up a few extra talents in the future, though. Researchers at Polytechnique Montreal have developed sensors that can sit under the surface of the scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass used in many mobile devices. Their approach etches optical waveguides into the display, letting it track changes in light. As a result, the screen can do things that would normally require either wiring or dedicated sensors. Your phone could check its temperature using light, and the manufacturer could even embed a unique optical pattern into the glass that lets the phone identify itself; it might get much harder to clone a device (and, presumably, its information).
Corning's new Gorilla Glass will actively kill germs on your smartphone
Every properly raised gorilla knows it's not enough to be tough; you also have to be hygienic. Which is surely why Corning has developed an antimicrobial form of its Gorilla Glass that inhibits the growth of algae, mold, mildew, fungi, bacteria and other nasties that might want to take root on a heavily used touchscreen. The glass contains an ionic silver coating that's similar to what's found on other germ-killing surfaces. Except that here it's meant to be "intrinsic" to the material and is therefore claimed to function for the lifetime of a device, whether it's a phone, tablet, PC or even a piece of medical equipment -- although Corning stops short of making any health-related promises. The company also avoids saying whether any antimicrobial gadgets will appear in the near future, because a good gorilla always under-promises and over-delivers.
Corning is now ready to make 3D Gorilla Glass for wearable devices
Corning's Gorilla Glass is useful for protecting the (mostly) flat screens of smartphones, but it's not a great fit for the curvy world of wearables. The company is prepared to change with the times, though, as it just announced that it can manufacture 3D-shaped Gorilla Glass. Its newly available technique conforms to unusual designs without adding bulk or losing strength. If all goes well, products using the 3D glass will be on store shelves sometime this year. Corning hasn't named customers, but we imagine that at least a few companies are interested in using the material for durable yet unconventional displays.
Samsung acquires 7.4 percent of Gorilla Glass maker Corning, signs long-term supply deal
In a move that could raise eyebrows in the LCD business, Corning has taken full control of Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co. Ltd., a joint venture 43 percent owned by Samsung. In exchange, the Korean company will get $1.9 billion worth of preferred shares in Corning, which if converted, would give it a 7.4 percent stake. The pair have also agreed to a deal that will see Samsung Display supplied by Corning through 2023. That company's Gorilla Glass is used in most high-end smartphones and tablets, including those made by Samsung, Apple, HTC and Motorola. Since the Korean giant already supplies most of its competitors with LCD displays and other components, we can imagine some of them casting a wary eye on such a deal.
ASUS Zenbook UX301 will have 2,560 x 1,440 touchscreen beneath Gorilla Glass 3 case (video)
The ASUS Zenbook Infinity first showed off its icy Gorilla Glass-clad curves at Computex back in June, and now it's resurfaced in a video that's making the rounds ahead of ASUS' press conference here at IFA. Incidentally, the video hints at a new name -- the Zenbook UX301 -- and also clarifies most of the main specs. According to the video, the UX301 will have a Retina-esque 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,440 multitouch display, a Haswell Core i7 CPU, 802.11ac WiFi and ASUS SonicMaster audio tech. The flagship Ultrabook will no doubt draw fans of thin design as well, thanks to the 15.5mm (0.64-inch) profile. We'll likely have a chance to play with it ourselves soon at ASUS's upcoming event, so stay tuned. In the meantime, there's a video after the break.
BMW i8 to use smartphone-style hardened glass for noise and weight reductions
We're used to seeing toughened glass on our phones and tablets, where it protects screens from chips and cracks. BMW, however, plans to use the substance on a much grander scale -- the automaker just revealed that its upcoming i8 hybrid will be the first mass-produced car to use hardened glass. The currently unnamed material will reduce noise and weight in windows behind the windshield. As BMW doesn't have to use thick glass to maintain strength, it can produce acoustically damped windows that weigh half as much as they would otherwise. We'll have to wait until the i8's arrival in 2014 to see how well this component choice works on the road, but it could lead to a future of lighter cars that still offer quiet interiors.
Corning introduces Gorilla Glass NBT for touch-enabled laptops, coming this fall
While we love our gadgets for their glass-capacitive touchscreens, they can be sensitive to scratches and fingerprints. Corning, best known for protecting our phone and tablet displays, is introducing Gorilla Glass NBT for touch-enabled laptops. This new ultra-strong covering promises enhanced scratch resistance, reduced flaw visibility and better retained strength once a blemish occurs -- basically, the same benefits as GG3. Dell is the first manufacturer to jump on-board with NBT and plans to use it on some notebooks this fall. Does this mean you wont have to be nearly as careful when schlepping your computer in a messenger bag? Probably not, but at least your precious displays will be safer from errant kitty paws. PR after the break.
Moto X reportedly comes with Magic Glass, laminated aluminum structure
There's been a deluge of Moto X reports, and it shows no signs of stopping. We've seen the device's press shots, camera UI and benchmark results, and most recently, we've even watched the T-Mobile version waltz past the FCC. Now, we're treated to purported press images and unannounced features from Taylor Wimberly, formerly of Android and Me. According to Wimberly, a sheet of specially treated Gorilla Glass covers the phone's entire face and wraps around its sides, forming a nearly seamless gap with the rear shell. Apparently, it's special enough that Motorola will call it "Magic Glass." As another nod to the phone's toughness, he also claims a laminated aluminum structure makes its frame even stronger, despite being thin and lightweight. Check out the images to decide the report's veracity for yourself, but don't sweat it too much -- we'll be able to confirm it in a few days when the phone launches on August 1st.
Corning's Gorilla Glass might be key to quiet, fuel-efficient cars
Corning's Gorilla Glass might soon step out of its phone- and tablet-filled lifestyle to explore a bigger part of the jungle. The material -- used thus far to make a plethora of scratch-resistant mobile device screens -- could replace some of the standard glass on car windows, according to company Senior VP Jeffrey Evenson. Speaking at MIT Technology Review's Mobile Summit, Evenson says Gorilla Glass will reduce a vehicle's weight and lower its center of mass. Theoretically, that means you could get better gas mileage than you would with a ride outfitted with run-of-the-mill glass. In addition, the material also acts as a noise filter, making car cabins quieter. Considering that auto manufacturers are striving to push the fuel-efficiency envelope, these claims sound like they could pan out. If you're a see-it-to-believe-it type though, you can always wait for the first cars with Gorilla Glass windows. Evenson didn't name a particular client, but he expects at least one high-end auto maker to start selling them within the next year.
ASUS Zenbook Infinity official with a Gorilla Glass 3 lid, touchscreen and backlit keyboard (eyes-on video)
Just as promised, ASUS has unveiled its Zenbook Infinity at Computex 2013 in Taipei. Being the first laptop -- let alone an Ultrabook -- to boast a Gorilla Glass 3 lid and palm rest, it's able to take advantage of three times the scratch resistance than the material's predecessor. This has allowed ASUS to achieve a maximum thickness of just 15.5mm, or about 14 percent thinner than the previous line of Zenbooks. But would the glass survive a drop? According to the product manager, the laptop's passed various drop tests, but only time will tell if it's as good as he promised. Despite the slimmer body, the Zenbook Infinity surprises us with a built-in touchscreen as well as a backlit keyboard. There's also a USB 3.0 port on each side, along with an SD card slot, micro-HDMI port and a Mini DisplayPort. No word on the other specs or prices just yet as this laptop won't be out until Q4, so stay tuned for future announcements. Check our our eyes-on video after the break. %Gallery-190077%
