CEO Tim Cook said in an interview that Apple's sapphire glass plant is confirmed and that it will be in Arizona. Although Cook has discussed glass plant initiatives, he has not outlined exactly what the sapphire will be used for or how.
While there was no shortage of rumors about the impending release of the iPhone 6 after the Wall Street Journal reported that 2 iPhones with large screens will be launched in 2014, a YouTube video has surfaced showing the parts of the new iPhone. The leaked video says it a casing for the new 'iPhone 6.'
ABC News showed an exclusive interview with Tim Cook on Friday. When he was asked by the host to reveal what the sapphire glass would be used for, Cook dispensed the question saying "for a ring."
Cook also confirmed an Apple Glass Sapphire Plant in the U.S. It could be used in the next launch of the iPhone 6 or in the iWatch wearable device that links to the iPhone.
Sapphire Glass is more scratch resistant than the Corning Gorilla Glass used in devices made by Samsung like the Samsung Note. The ABC interview with Cook revealed that a patent was published by USPTO on Friday, demonstrating how to use sapphire glass and to mount it.
Other reports Taiwan's Apple Daily reported that they have been approved for a trial run by Foxconn to begin on iPhones carrying sapphire glass displays. This will be done for 100 iPhones.
Today'siPhone reports, "MacRumors has also heard unconfirmed word that Apple has been working with Swiss company Meyer Burger Technologies to obtain new sapphire cutting machines. Sapphire is currently used to protect the cameras on recent iPhones and the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s, but expanding its use to include display cover glass would necessitate a massive increase in sapphire production. "
According to a report on iPhonehacks, materials and equipment supplier GT Advanced Technologies and Apple have detailed that the California-based firm will establish a sapphire glass production facility in Mesa, Arizona.
The report also said that sapphire glass would be used to cover the iPhone camera and to protect the TouchID screen on the iPhone 5S.
Apple said in a statement, "We are proud to expand our domestic manufacturing initiative with a new facility in Arizona, creating more than 2,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction. This new plant will make components for Apple products and it will run on 100% renewable energy from day one, as a result of the work we are doing with SRP to create green energy sources to power the facility."
