Sources linked to Apple’s manufacturing and supply chain are claiming that Apple is preparing to produce future iOS devices with curved glass touch screens, reports DigiTimes, with the first such devices expected to hit production in early 2012.
From the report:
…Apple reportedly also has bought glass polishing equipment for its suppliers in preparation for the production of devices fitted with curved cover glass. Lens Technology, Fuji Crystal, G-Tech are said to be major cover glass suppliers of Apple. While Lens and Fuji focus on iPhones, G-Tech supplies mainly for iPad.
There have been rumors circulating about curved glass in future iPhones, such as this one from back in May, but such rumors have recently been quiet.
Apple has not announced or alluded to any intention to produce consumer products with curved glass so far, and if such changes are coming in the future, I’d expect curved glass to arrive on the iPhone before the iPad, with the curvature of the glass possibly helping to make the iPhone more comfortable to hold against your face as Samsung demonstrated with their Galaxy S smartphone, shown in the main image above.