ShockMounted
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Apple patent application aims to keep iPhones shatter-proof with shock mounted glass
From 'smart' pens to a smarter Siri, Apple's always attempting to find new ways to improve the iPhone, and the company's latest patent application wants to keep its crack-prone glass blemish free. Aptly named a "shock mounting cover glass in consumer electronic devices," the invention claims a tunable shock mount sandwiched between the phone's glass and other hardware. There's also plans for a sensor that can distinguish a "drop event" from normal phone movements and an actuator to prepare the shock mount for impact. Given that it's only at the application stage, we won't be seeing bombproof iPhone displays any time soon, but here's hoping it'll become a product reality someday. Mostly so we can see just how much of a beating it can take.
Lenovo's ThinkPad R61 / 3000 N200 laptops make debut
While Lenovo's ThinkPad T61 already showed off most of the the firm's newest laptop features, the R61 and 3000 N200 bring a little flavor of their own to the ever-expanding Santa Rosa funfest. These two tag along as some of Lenovo's "coolest, quietest, and longest running" lappies ever, and each sport the Top Cover Roll Cage (pictured after the break) that reportedly provides LCD support that's 20-percent stronger than previous models. The 14.1-inch R61 will sport an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, support for 802.11n and Bluetooth, Ultra Connect II, your choice of Intel or NVIDIA integrated graphics, a four-in-one media card reader, and an optional integrated webcam to boot. The budget-minded 3000 N200 opts for a 15.4-inch widescreen display, 802.11n, Ethernet, Bluetooth, an integrated fingerprint reader, five-in-one multicard reader, built-in camera / microphone, and Intel or NVIDIA chipsets running the graphical show. As with the T61, the R61 will land in mid-May for $1,249, while the N200 should hit shelves a few weeks later for around $1,099.
