It was recently reported that Apple is working on a wristwatch computer with a curved glass display. The glass was speculated to be Corning’s Willow Glass, a brand new technology that lets a thin pane of glass fold up like a newspaper. “The thinness, strength and flexibility of the glass has the potential to enable displays to be “wrapped” around a device or structure,” according to Corning.
If Apple were to release an iWatch in the next year or so, it would assumedly need Willow Glass to be ready for mass production. Unfortunately, it will be several more years before Corning’s flexible displays are ready for consumers.
The president of Corning recently threw cold water on Willow Glass in a Chinese interview, according to Bloomberg. He said that it would take at least 3 years before companies start implementing Willow Glass on a large scale, noting that “The ability of people to take it [Willow] and use it to make a product is limited.” Corning is opening a $800 million factory in Beijing to manufacture its liquid-crystal-display glass.
Corning declined to comment on its involvement with Apple regarding Willow Glass. The two companies have been partnering for years to put Gorilla Glass into iPhones and iPads.
Source: Bloomberg
Image: CNET
