Gorilla

TAIPEI -- The Asus Zenbook Infinity, the company's latest design-focused ultrabook, is encased in Corning's Gorilla Glass 3.

Asus is not the first company to cover a notebook in Gorilla Glass. Its keen competitor, Acer, has also done so with the Aspire S7, though that's Gorilla Glass 2. The latest version of Corning's material is supposed to be lighter, tougher and resistant to scratches and scuffs.

With a maximum thickness of just 15.5mm, the Zenbook Infinity is extremely slim.

Other technical details of the product are scant, though based on what can be seen, it … Read more

On the surface, smartphones screens made of sapphire sound superb -- they're naturally strong, extremely scratch resistant, can withstand flexing, and transmit light very well. That's the widely accepted story, at least.

Disputing this view is Corning, maker of the Gorilla Glass material that covers a majority of smartphone screens.

Corning, whose aeronautics branch has worked with lab-grown sapphire since the 1970s, says it tested the strength of sapphire claims -- a potential cover glass alternative -- in-house.

Corning's conclusion: that sapphire, the world's second-hardest material after diamond, just can't take the lumps that a … Read more

Corning's goal: to shatter its own status quo when it comes to the strength of its Gorilla Glass screens for consumer electronics.

At CES, the glass maker will debut Gorilla Glass 3, the company's latest effort in the daily battle against scratched, splintered, and shattered device screens.

By studying glass' atomic structure and bonding properties, Corning's team was able to "invent another kind of glass" that makes the substance less brittle, and less prone to scratches, says David Velasquez, Gorilla Glass' director of marketing and commercial operations.

Corning terms this additional fortitude "native damage … Read more

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Another reason not to buy books: Hackers installed credit card readers at 63 stores across the country, New York City included.

- Attention New Yorkers: It's officially time to freak out about Hurricane Sandy.

- SDSU study confirms that five-second rule is pretty much bull.

- A license plate frame that defeats red light camera flashes.… Read more

Phones, tablets, and TVs with thinner, flexible screens may be available to consumers as soon as next year.

Corning, the maker of glass used in Apple and Samsung mobile devices, has rolled out its new glass today, according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek.

Corning sent out samples to phone, tablet, and television manufacturers and expects to see the glass in consumer electronics by next year. Unlike typical glass sheets, the new flexible glass is manufactured in a roll, like paper or cloth.

Corning hopes to see products with the flexible glass out in the next seven months, Corning Chief Financial Officer James … Read more

Foxconn may assemble the iPhone and iPad in China, but key components are made in the good ol' USA, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook, speaking today at the D10 conference.

"This is not well known...but the engine for the iPhone and the iPad are built in the U.S. in Austin, Texas," Cook said.

Cook is almost certainly referring to Samsung's Austin chip plant, where the A5 -- and presumably the newer A5X -- chips are made.

"The glass is made in a plant in Kentucky," he added, referring to the Corning's Gorilla Glass facility. … Read more

First spotted at CES 2012, the glass-covered HP Envy 14 Spectre is finally here, as both the first 14-inch ultrabook we've reviewed, as well as a unique laptop nearly covered in tough Gorilla Glass.

Almost anyone who sees the HP Envy 14 Spectre immediately compares it to something. For many, it's the Apple MacBook Pro. From the open position, the interior certainly has that look, aside from the transparent raised wrist rest. To others, the glass back looks like a tablet or slate. … Read more

A few weeks ago at CES, Corning announced that its next generation of glass surfaces will deliver thinner, stronger touch screens.

Since Gorilla Glass covers some of the most premium smartphones--including the HTC Evo 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II, and Motorola Droid Razr--I wanted to take a closer look at what the material can offer phone owners.

First of all, there's the glass itself. Gorilla Glass is a special type of chemically strengthened material (an aluminosilicate for you material science geeks out there) that's processed in such a way as to resist scratches and other surface dings. It also withstands greater compression than standard glass, which means you have to press it (or drop it) harder to damage it.… Read more

While it's common knowledge that Apple is a product trendsetter via the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and MacBook Air, its status as a standard setter is not as widely known.

Ever heard of Thunderbolt? If you have (many CNET readers undoubtedly have) it's almost entirely owing to Apple, which has been the exclusive adopter of that interface technology, developed by Intel, on its Macs. While it's unclear whether Thunderbolt will catch on in a big way, the fact that Apple has first-adopter status is one reason other device makers are taking a serious look at the technology. And … Read more