Apple wants the liquidmetal technology all to itself as it extends it exclusive rights to the rare metal until 2015. According to reports, the company has decided to amend its agreement with Liquidmetal to ensure its exclusive access to the exotic metal. Reports also suggest that Apple has cleared patents for liquidmetal and sapphire displays allowing the company to produce more durable screens. If this pushes through then people can expect the iPhone 6 and other upcoming iOS devices to become shock-proof and stronger than before.
According to a report by Apple Insider, a document from the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated that Apple retains exclusive rights to the material until the mentioned date. Apple and Liquidmetal first entered an agreement in August 2010. The agreement was amended extending the rights until 2012. This time, it appears Apple wants more time to work on the exotic metal.
Throughout Apple's releases, the company has used the special alloy in its SIM card ejector tool. The company has yet to explore other ways to use the metal. Previously, inventor of the alloy, Dr. Atakan Peter said that it may take a while to develop a method to mass produce liquidmetal. According to Dr. Peter, there is "no suitable manufacturing infrastructure yet to take full advantage of this alloy technology."The recent patents cleared and amended agreements hint that Apple found a way around it.
According to U.S. Patent No. 8,738,104 with the title "Methods and systems for integrally trapping a glass insert in a metal bezel," the company can now encase sapphire glass materials within liquidmetal components. This allows Apple to create more durable screens that do not snap or shatter immediately upon impact.
Apple has not released any official details about the features of the iPhone 6. According to analysts, the company should be ready to release around September.
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