Apple Invents Material That Looks Like Metal and Could Rid iPhone of Unsightly Antenna Bands
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Posted June 20, 2015 at 7:28pm by iClarified
Apple has filed a patent application for a non-capacitive or radio frequency-transparent material with an anodized metal appearance. Most notably if used for the casing of the iPhone, this type of material would let Apple get rid of the 'unsightly' antenna bands.
Apple says that "one design challenge associated with computing devices is maintaining a sleek and consistent appearance of a metallic outer enclosure for housing the various complex internal components."
Since metal is not radio frequency transparent, portions of the housings that cover antennas and touch sensors are made out of non-metallic materials such as plastic or glass. "Unfortunately, plastic surfaces and glass surfaces have different visual qualities than metallic surfaces, which result in a visible break in the metallic surface of the housing. This visible break can detract from the smooth and continuous look of the metallic housing."
Fortunately, Apple has found a method of forming a composite structure that is substantially non-electrically capacitive and having an anodized metal appearance.
The method includes converting a portion of a metal layer to a metal oxide layer that overlays an unconverted portion of the metal layer at a first surface of the metal oxide layer. The unconverted portion of the metal layer is viewable through the metal oxide layer. The method also involves exposing the first surface of the metal oxide layer by removing the unconverted portion of the metal layer. The method further involves forming the composite structure by applying an optically reflective layer that is substantially non-electrically capacitive on the exposed first surface of the metal oxide layer. The composite structure has the appearance of the anodized metal when viewed from a second surface of the metal oxide layer opposite the first surface.
Check out a mockup of what the iPhone 6 would look like without antenna bands below. Let us know which look you prefer in the comments.
You can hit the link below for more details on the material.
I think the iPhone 6 is one of the most beautiful examples of industrial designs I've ever seen. I was not a big fan of prior iPhone designs (I really hated the sharp edges of the 4 and 5, for example). I find the antenna lines in the 6 pleasing and an integral part of the design.
Steve would'd never approved, neither lines nor protruding camera. Shame on you Apple!
Such a pity, the whole company is so boring nowadays and going down the Nokia way, eventually.
Is it built like HTC one? No. Does it even resemble HTC one? No. Look at the antenna bands on both phones. HTC goes across on top and bottom compared to the 6, plus the cameras aren't even positioned like it, nor does the from have that much screen or less bezel. HTC one came way after iPhone.
I don't like any.. Yes I want the thick bands gone, but I don't want it to be a black spec on the back.. I want some design.. Honestly, thinner black antenna bands look good like what I've seen in mock ups they're better than the thick light grey ones. :)
Mac Pro was a PC tower. Touch ID was technology Apple bought not invented. Apple Pay uses the long way around to NFC payments, which were already available in the U.S. and the majority of the industrialized world was already using. The iPhone yes.
Make pro is all the power of a computer is a small portable cylinder, Apple pay is a new way of using the wallet quickly easily and more secured even with NYC, Touch ID is used quickly and works flawlessly.
But did they light up? Were they acoustic? Did they achieve what this bad boy did? About Apple pay, does it works with a fingerprint scanner and secures it perfectly away?
Would you attribute all round objects to the first person who invented the circle? Or would many of those man-made objects be considered innovations or inventions in their own right?