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Apple rumored to ditch glass back for aluminum with iPhone 5 - Page 3

post #81 of 121
3/7/11 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJinTX View Post

If Apple goes with a glass back again, then your thoughts on it having a solar panel is an excellent idea. However, no offense to you personally, but having a physical photo printed and embedded behind the glass back sounds like an awful idea. I can't imagine Apple ever doing something like this.

I could see some sort of 2nd LCD screen being imbedded behind a clear back so you could set an image or video to play on the back, just be prepared for your battery life to plummet.
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post #82 of 121
3/7/11 at 9:41am
Apple uses Matt Aluminium, and this is an extremely scratch resistant material. In the same way, why not use Matt Stainless Steel?

I mean the same material that the Magpie cutlery is made of. That material withstands scratches and dents very well - of course it is a lot heavier than Aluminium. Could be about same weight as glass or lighter, I guess.
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post #83 of 121
3/7/11 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drobforever View Post

I'd rather have plastic back. Anything else I probably would have to put on a case and I never like the idea of using a case.

My front glass got a pretty deep gouge in it. I have no idea how as I try not to carry it in the same pocket as my keys. But for me, in the end, the iPhone is a tool I use every single day and the idea of spending time keeping it pristine is futile. I love the look of the ip4 but all the shiny glass will eventually loose out to wear and tear. The ip4 has withstood the elements much better than the ip3gs, however. Mine was a mess when it got retired. Personally I hope the iPhone aesthetic will turn more functionalist to allow for wear and tear. Like a pair of jeans. Maybe Apple should allow for replaceable backs. Let people customize and replace to their hearts' content.
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post #84 of 121
3/7/11 at 10:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by macarena View Post

- embedding Solar Panel under the glass, so phone can get charged from Ambient light. A panel the size of the iPhone4, would generate decent bit of electricity.


Not yet - a solar panel that size would produce no more than a trickle, even if you left the phone in direct sunlight all day.

I would expect, however, that Apple has the most advanced R&D in the solar industry, and that they will blow us away with the iPhone 5. If anybody could design a solar panel with the kind of efficiency you describe, it would be Steve.
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post #85 of 121
3/7/11 at 10:27am
I posted an iPad-style mockup previously that I think would be quite nice:



I don't like the shiny metal in the iPod, I like the matte-style metal in the iPad and Mac line. I also hope the remove the home button this time unlike iPad 2.

I guess the Apple logo would be enough space for reception. The iPad plastic top shown above may not meet the FCC guidelines and if the 2G was ok for signal, I suppose it doesn't matter much. I think the top part is probably the least likely to be covered though.

I still think it would be best if they didn't do the phone parts at all and just had a plastic sleeve for a device styled like the above that clips on the bottom into the 30-pin port for power and allows you to plug in another 30-pin plug at the bottom.

This way you pay for an iPod ($199) and any carrier sells you a sleeve with a phone plan.
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post #86 of 121
3/7/11 at 10:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Curmudgeon View Post

Scotty didn't invent transparent aluminum. He only showed somebody else how to make it.

In the past. So that the technology was available to Scotty in the future. But then the Temporal Prime Directive wasn't in place yet. Or was it?

Thank God the whole thing has been rebooted via a temporal anomaly, or it might be confusing.
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post #87 of 121
3/7/11 at 10:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJinTX View Post

I purposely said concerns as opposed to flaws to lessen the severity. I don't think they are flaws per se, I just think improvement is needed. They are at least concerns that I have. And even if it is a perception issue with antennas, it is still a concern for a good number of people. I don't think the iP4 antennas are inferior by any means. In fact, I think they are great in most ways. I just think Apple needs to find a process to tweak them, either giving them a coating, or attaching them differently, or maybe even having multiple antennas for each purpose to add redundancy. And likely there are other cool engineering tricks that I am unaware of. This is all I would need, just an effort to improve it.

As for the glass back, I definitely have concerns here. The glass back is gorgeous and feels really really good. But I don't want to have to use a case. And if the back glass is not strong enough to withstand a drop or two without cracking, then they have to make a change.

I understand. I didn't mean anything personal or any offence etc. I also freak out when I drop my iPhone because I don't use a case. Most people use cases though, and most of the time it doesn't break when you drop it.

It probably sounds dumb to a lot of people but if it were up to me, I would replace the back with a wooden one actually. I think it's the best solution all around. Maybe plastic for durability with a thin veneer of nice fancy wood attached. Make them easily user replaceable and a whole side business is born for when they get scuffed up.
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post #88 of 121
3/7/11 at 10:40am
I liked how the iPhone 4 looks and feels. It's a awesome design thats seperates from everyone else.

What if Apple used liquid metal instead aluminum ?
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post #89 of 121
3/7/11 at 10:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blastdoor View Post

I really like the design of the iPhone 4. I think it looks and feels awesome, and while the antennae issue was real, it was so easily avoided that I hardly see it as a major issue.

so far i never had any issue with the antenna with my iphone 4. I really like the iphone4 design better.

and so far, no scratches it.

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post #90 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prof. Peabody View Post

It probably sounds dumb to a lot of people but if it were up to me, I would replace the back with a wooden one actually.

That would be interesting. Reminiscent of the old Parker and Waterman writing instruments from the 50s. I'd like an exotic Brasillian Rosewood or Zebra wood model. Nice.

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post #91 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:01am
This seems highly unlikely to me. Apple switched from an alu back to plastic and then glass to improve reception, so why on earth would they go back?

The wi-fi reception on the aluminium backed iPad is utterly miserable (it maxes out at around 15mbits on my home network, but when I tested a bog standard Dell notebook it would easily top 45mbit on the same network).
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post #92 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kotatsu View Post

This seems highly unlikely to me. Apple switched from an alu back to plastic and then glass to improve reception, so why on earth would they go back?

The wi-fi reception on the aluminium backed iPad is utterly miserable (it maxes out at around 15mbits on my home network, but when I tested a bog standard Dell notebook it would easily top 45mbit on the same network).

Every Material is going to have it's downsides. It just depends on which downside Apple is willing to embrace. I had the original iPhone, and I had zero issues with wi-fi or AT&T signal/connection/speed. I loved that phone. From a pure design perspective, the iP4 has the edge, but for design plus durability, the original iPhone wins hands down (no back glass panel to shatter).
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post #93 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by eswinson View Post

Maybe we will finally see an application of the transparent aluminum that Scotty invented

That would be neat, but really if Apple would just create a synthetic diamond back plate I believe that would be just as affective.
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post #94 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:33am
I would like to see apple use carbon fiber over anything. Light weight, strong, and sexy.
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post #95 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Snitch View Post

You know what: Jobs and Ive and Apple got so caught up in the iPhone design, they completely forgot how the phone would actually be used. That is: By people who would never, ever win a Gold Glove (i.e., dropping things is a way of life), and by people whose hands would inevitably short-circuit the antenna.

Telling people "not to hold it like that" just doesn't work. For often-distracted, average folks, all you can ask is that they hold it without dropping it.

The next phone needs to be less precious and more conscious of the real world.

Sorry , disagree, if you want "less precious and more conscious of the real world" buy a Samsung or HTC android phone,..!
iPhone 4 is Apple at its best,..!!!
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post #96 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgl323 View Post

I liked how the iPhone 4 looks and feels. It's a awesome design thats seperates from everyone else.

What if Apple used liquid metal instead aluminum ?

Ah ha, liquid metal,.. now you may be onto something there ,... if i were a betting person thats where i would put my money,..
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post #97 of 121
3/7/11 at 11:47am
how about keeping the back glass and making it touch sensitive, such as basic swipe gestures to allow you to easily scroll one handed through web pages or photos, and say volume increase/decrease,.. as a starter
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post #98 of 121
3/7/11 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scafe2 View Post

how about keeping the back glass and making it touch sensitive, such as basic swipe gestures to allow you to easily scroll one handed through web pages or photos, and say volume increase/decrease,.. as a starter

When I scroll through web pages, I want to swipe and scroll on the side of the screen that has the webpage. TO be scrolling on the back would be counterintuitive to most. As for volume I prefer a physical button. Same with a home button. I don't like the idea of zero real buttons. What the iPhone has now is ideal in this regard, nothing more, nothing less.
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post #99 of 121
3/7/11 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kotatsu View Post

The wi-fi reception on the aluminium backed iPad is utterly miserable (it maxes out at around 15mbits on my home network, but when I tested a bog standard Dell notebook it would easily top 45mbit on the same network).

It's not likely to be the material of the device affecting the transfer rate. There are a number of reports about capped wifi in iOS devices:

http://discussions.apple.com/message...ageID=12512074
http://www.digitalsociety.org/2010/0...ce-benchmarks/
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=885177

There's always ethernet if it becomes an issue:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/05/r...ector-not-eth/
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post #100 of 121
3/7/11 at 12:25pm
same form factor as current iphone - just thinner - thinner, lighter glass - narrower metal divider - and entire phone shorter - eliminating home button
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post #101 of 121
3/7/11 at 12:50pm
Unibody ftw.
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post #102 of 121
3/7/11 at 12:57pm
This sounds really great if they decide to use the patent they just won for a scratch-proof nitride metal device coating {http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/03/01/apple_granted_invention_of_scratch_proof_nitride_m etal_device_coating.html}. Hopefully, they can make the iPhone's case out of liquidmetal so that we don't have that much of a need for bumper cases. Taking every rumor into account for the iPhone 5, it sounds like Apple will leapfrog their competitors in both sales, features, and innovation.
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post #103 of 121
3/7/11 at 1:01pm
I hope Apple retains the current design for the iPhone 5. I'm not really a fan of this "tapering edge" fetish.
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post #104 of 121
3/7/11 at 1:16pm
Porsche have used aluminium cylinder liners with a Nikasil surface coating.

Quote:
Nikasil is a trademarked electrodeposited lipophilic nickel matrix silicon carbide coating for engine components, mainly piston engine cylinder liners.

I suspect Apple should talk to Kyocera, I am sure they would have something to suit, however I suspect Apple are too stingy to pay for anything top notch, might impact their precious margins. They didn't use genuine Gorilla glass, for example, while other phone manufacturers do.
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post #105 of 121
3/7/11 at 2:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by irnchriz View Post

I had an original iPhone and the aluminium scratched incredibly easily. They should just do the back in gorilla glass.

I agree. I like the iPhone 4's design the best.

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post #106 of 121
3/7/11 at 2:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin View Post

I posted an iPad-style mockup previously that I think would be quite nice:


Didn't Apple design the original iPhone with the plastic transceiver cover at the bottom to put it as far away from the head as possible?

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post #107 of 121
3/7/11 at 2:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OllieWallieWhiskers View Post

i think you've confused your metals.

my aluminum 2nd gen iPod nano is pretty scratch free... there are dings and dents from the several times i've dropped it... but very few scratches.

i really wish Apple would turn to aluminum on the iPod touch... the current stainless steel back scratches way to easily.

Ah, did I? My bad (^_~)

How about the 2004 iPods? We have a 40GB model of that one (and it still works perfectly), but the back is all scratched.
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post #108 of 121
3/7/11 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanaCameron View Post

Didn't Apple design the original iPhone with the plastic transceiver cover at the bottom to put it as far away from the head as possible?

That is an excellent point. Mock ups aside, the article says that the radio signal will transmit through the Apple logo. It seems that in order to comply with FCC regulations the logo will need to be very close to the bottom of the device, in a rather unattractive placement, at least with respect to Apple's typical branding.

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post #109 of 121
3/7/11 at 3:19pm
Count me as one who never liked the glass back and very strongly welcomes the idea of an aluminum one. It would unify the lineup well with the iPad, iMac, Macbook (Pro and Air), Mac Mini, keyboard, trackpad, etc, etc.
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post #110 of 121
3/7/11 at 3:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pmz View Post

Move on, nothing to see here. Not going to happen.

Scratches? FUD. There's not one scratch on any iPhone 4 I've ever seen. Not on the front or the back. Mine has never had a case on it in 9 months. Guess since I don't carry around pockets full of diamonds..

I *KNEW* I had forgotten something! I'm off to buy a special pouch for all those diamonds of mine...

Social Capitalist, dreamer and wise enough to know I'm never going to grow up anyway... so not trying anymore.

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post #111 of 121
3/7/11 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanaCameron View Post

Didn't Apple design the original iPhone with the plastic transceiver cover at the bottom to put it as far away from the head as possible?

Yeah, they'd probably rather put it on the bottom again. As long as the plug surrounding is metal so it doesn't crack, that would be ok.

The 2G design is actually how I imagined the 3rd party external phone addon would look. Just a small plastic base with some cell phone parts. It would be so easy to sell your device again without worrying that it's locked to one carrier. The iPhone is on all carriers now anyway so it's no big deal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone

It seems that in order to comply with FCC regulations the logo will need to be very close to the bottom of the device, in a rather unattractive placement, at least with respect to Apple's typical branding.

Surely the regulations just ensure that the concentration of the waves doesn't pass through the head in which case the antenna could go anywhere as long as the waves are blocked from moving in the direction of the head. Other phones have their antennas on the top - you can see some in Apple's death grip videos where they cover parts near the top of the phone. Here's a diagram for symbian phones:



Whatever they decide to do, I think we can rest assured they'll test it fully this time in the field even if they have to drive round in a car that has a booth like the pope mobile with tinted windows so no one sees what they're up to.
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post #112 of 121
3/7/11 at 7:20pm
Sometimes reading the rumors puts a smile on my face. Why would Apple revert back to the design of the Iphone3g?? If anything Apple will most likely use one the of the patents they have secured or something created by Liquid Metal.
March is here and the Iphone5 rumors are just starting. By next month this time..,.....
And by May everything And anything will be posted
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post #113 of 121
3/7/11 at 8:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

I still have my original and it has no scratches on the aluminum. The glass (and it's not Gorilla, that's a Trademark) scratches more easily.

My iPhone 4 remains virtually scratchless, and it looks very nice. I am defitenitley keeping my current jailbroken iPhone 4 instead of getting a shitty, ugly aluminum iPhone.
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post #114 of 121
3/7/11 at 8:47pm
I guess there is not as much need for differentiation between iPhone and iPod Touch nowadays. Its a war of ecosystems not devices within ecosystems. I for one really like the new Touch's design.
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post #115 of 121
3/7/11 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanaCameron View Post

Didn't Apple design the original iPhone with the plastic transceiver cover at the bottom to put it as far away from the head as possible?

Yes, precisely. The image appears 'shopped from an iPad 3G. It'd be easier to just post a picture of the back of the original aluminum iPhone:



Frankly, I like the glass design of the iPhone 4: somewhat impractical but elegant and cool. It's too bad the Chinese couldn't get white paint to work. It's hard to see going back to aluminum. Although I bet iPhone 5 will have some kind of magnetic screen cover that will turn the phone on when removed.

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post #116 of 121
3/8/11 at 12:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland View Post

Scotty didn't invent that, he just mentioned and used it

Nerd award for the month. Goes to me too because I agree and remember the scene.
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post #117 of 121
3/8/11 at 12:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox View Post

In the past. So that the technology was available to Scotty in the future. But then the Temporal Prime Directive wasn't in place yet. Or was it?

Thank God the whole thing has been rebooted via a temporal anomaly, or it might be confusing.

I keep telling you blokes, once the timeline is messed with, it branches off into a different quantum state hence making whatever the future of that timeline irrelevant. IE. temporal prime directive = bollocks.

Let me try this another way - if you go back in time and kill your father before you are conceived you won't disappear from existence, you simply slip into a different timeline in which you are alive but your father is dead.

BTW the whole "aliens want the whales back" was quite ridiculous a premise and only worked because of the existing eco-consciousness related to marine life (ie. before climate change became "the" evil environmental thing).

Overall, I enjoyed the movie nonetheless. Hope too many psychos didn't wander the San Francisco parks at night after that hoping to bump into cloaked spaceships.
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post #118 of 121
3/8/11 at 6:59am
I agree. Both my wife and I have iPhone 4's. Mine probably gets gentler treatment than my wife's as hers gets bashed about in her handbag along with god knows what. But neither of them have a single scratch and that definitely could not be said of the previous generation iPhone's we've owned. Both of us have the Apple bumpers and haven't had antenna issues since we got them. So personally I hope that Apple stick with glass both sides, as it seems to be very practical, hardwearing and cool to look at.
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post #119 of 121
3/8/11 at 7:17am
I know both the back and my screen have micro scratches. Nothing you can see while screen is on...but while off it's noticeable. As for the back, I got rid of the flimsy bumper and got a real case.
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post #120 of 121
3/8/11 at 9:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by copeland View Post

But that is going to almost triple the weight in comparison to aluminum.
So a steel cover with 1/3 of the glasses thickness has still the same weight.

I think they still can save some weight but a lot less.


(Not sure I'm parsing your meaning so sorry if I'm repeating what you mean.)
Glass, steel or aluminum, the part would be optimized for the material and application. So weight would not be significantly different.

Glass was a (poor/silly/risky/over-bold?) design choice in the first place. The increased brittleness was a poor tradeoff for scratch resistance and bulk (IMO.)
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