New photos of Apple's sapphire plant show build progressing as rumors point to project expansion
Fresh photos of Apple's Mesa, Ariz., sapphire plant, built in partnership with GT Advanced Technologies, show construction of external fixtures is progressing as planned, while a new rumor claims the site may be expanded to a neighboring building.
AppleInsider has received a batch of photos showing recent progress at the Apple-GT Advanced sapphire plant, a large nondescript building in Arizona that looks to be nearly complete.
The tipster says construction personnel are working around the clock and even on weekends to get the job done by June. Documents filed with the U.S. International Trade Administration in January revealed Apple's "go live" target date was sometime in February, meaning the plant may be partially active as construction completes.
Rumors floating around the local electrical industry in Arizona claim Apple may be mulling a project expansion into a building on the site that was previously owned by photovoltaic panel maker First Solar. The purpose of the support structure is unknown.
The Apple-GT Advanced factory, devised under the codename "Project Cascade," is said to be responsible for the production of a "new" sapphire part bound for a consumer Apple device. some speculate the component will either be a replacement part for current hardware, such as an iPhone screen, or something completely new.
AppleInsider has received a batch of photos showing recent progress at the Apple-GT Advanced sapphire plant, a large nondescript building in Arizona that looks to be nearly complete.
The tipster says construction personnel are working around the clock and even on weekends to get the job done by June. Documents filed with the U.S. International Trade Administration in January revealed Apple's "go live" target date was sometime in February, meaning the plant may be partially active as construction completes.
Rumors floating around the local electrical industry in Arizona claim Apple may be mulling a project expansion into a building on the site that was previously owned by photovoltaic panel maker First Solar. The purpose of the support structure is unknown.
The Apple-GT Advanced factory, devised under the codename "Project Cascade," is said to be responsible for the production of a "new" sapphire part bound for a consumer Apple device. some speculate the component will either be a replacement part for current hardware, such as an iPhone screen, or something completely new.
Comments
What other options are there?
...some speculate the component will either be a replacement part for current hardware, such as an iPhone screen, or something completely new.
What other options are there?
Camera lens glass
That would fall under "replacement part for current hardware."
What other options are there?
Sapphire glass window panes for Apple Campus 2!
Snow-blower-proof windows for their Fifth Ave, NY store.
Edit: Hell, shoulda read the end of the thread.
What other options are there?
Maybe a watch. Maybe a ring or some sort of wearable pin or jewelry. Who knows? Remember that the flip-open Communicator of Star Trek (TOS) was the inspiration for the original cell phone and later flip-phones. Maybe the Communications pin of Star Trek (NG) will inspire something that clips to a lapel or dress strap.
Who knows what genius lurks in the hearts of Apple engineers.*
*a tip of the hat to Frank Readick Jr., the voice of the Shadow who first spoke the famous words that I am paraphrasing.
I picked up on it which is why my response was something completely ridiculous. However, if Apple does retrofit the 5th Ave. store with sapphire panes, I'll deny calling it ridiculous, delete this post and claim Google is doing evil by inventing a cached version.
LOL, ChristophB. Not totally ridiculous. As someone who appreciates fine watches, seeing a giant sapphire window pane in an Apple store would probably bring tears of joy to my eyes!! And I could see Apple doing that just to send a message to the world that they are the leaders in sapphire (as soon as they are up and running in mass production, of course!!).
What other precious gems can they make?
Apple's history of competition:
Apple v MS
Apple v Google
...
Apple v De Beers?
And I could see Apple doing that just to send a message to the world that they are the leaders in sapphire (as soon as they are up and running in mass production, of course!!).
What other precious gems can they make?
Apple's history of competition:
Apple v MS
Apple v Google
...
Apple v De Beers?
I remember watching a piece on something like 60 minutes about a company that can manufacture ruby. They put a dye in the gems that is visible with ultraviolet light or something like that so people can spot theirs as not being natural. They had people of course request batches without the dye. Who needs ethics when you can manufacture Ruby?
My guess it is for upgrading the existing hardware or for something new.
Lenses for Apple's wearable video screens, stereo of course, called iWatch.
So far you and everyone else have mentioned a current part or something new.
That falls under 'something completely new'.
That falls under 'replacement part'.
That falls under 'something completely new'.
So you're back to two options.
Apple v the media