14 DAY TRIAL // An interesting report from Taiwan claims that touch panel maker TPK has entered Apple’s supply chain for the rumored iWatch, and offers a number of technical details that haven’t been discussed so far in the media.
DigiTimes admits these are just rumors being tossed around in the Taiwan supply chain. The site has heard that “Taiwan-based touch panel maker TPK has entered the supply chain for iWatch,” and then proceeds to cite a China Times report to offer additional information.
According to said newspaper, TPK is unlikely to start mass production of its touch panels for iWatch until the second half of 2014, which means Apple won’t be deploying the product at its developer event in summer.
Most interestingly, the iWatch is said to come with 3D glass and a flexible display created on the AMOLED spec.
“The report said the iWatch will come equipped with a flexible AMOLED display and 3D protective glass.”
Apple has so far avoided using AMOLED displays in its products, but since iWatch may be a flexible product in and of itself, the necessity of using the technology suddenly arises.
As a final tidbit churned out by the people behind these rumors, the report adds that “iWatch will use silver nanowire touch screen technology developed by TPK in conjunction with Japan-based Nissha Printing.”
Citing TPK President Tom Sun with a statement from October 31, 2013 given at an investors conference, the report adds, “TPK formed a strategic alliance with Japan-based Nissha Printing to develop silver nanowire technology and will begin production of silver nanowire touch panels with an initial monthly capacity of two million units in April 2014.”
None of this is set in stone, of course, but the technical details certainly seem to be on par with Apple’s ambitious plans for the elusive iWatch. Time will tell.