Shhhh… Can you keep a secret? A report from Bloomberg says Apple has a secret laboratory in northern Taiwan where it is developing thinner, lighter, and brighter displays for it future devices. The report notes Apple has recruited employees from local display maker AU Optronics Corp. and Qualcomm to work at the new factory. But don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret, OK?
Bloomberg, via MacRumors:
Apple began operating the lab this year as it aims to make products thinner, lighter, brighter and more energy-efficient. Engineers are developing more-advanced versions of the liquid-crystal displays currently used in iPhones, iPads and Mac personal computers, the people said. Apple also is keen to move to organic light-emitting diodes, which are even thinner and don’t require a backlight, they said.
The facility was formerly owned by Qualcomm, and currently has 50 employees on staff, with more being added. Apple has two job listings for the new Taiwan factory posted on its careers page. Both jobs require experience working with display technologies.
Bloomberg confirmed the location did indeed house an Apple operation, as it found an Apple logo in the reception area, and noted that employees wore Apple ID badges. The publication could not get confirmation from either Apple or the employees on what was being worked on at the facility.
Japan Display is reportedly planning on kicking off mass production of OLED displays for Apple’s iPhone in Spring 2018. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will not switch to OLED displays for the next three years. Apple supply partner Foxconn is preparing to invest in advanced TFT-LCD production lines, to be ready for mass production in 2018. TFT-LCD displays are currently used for the iPhone.
