Apple files for patent on zirconia iPhone
Ah, cubic zirconia. How would underpaid journalists get married without it?
(Credit: hrmpf.com)In August, Apple filed for a patent that would protect the use of zirconia as a casing material for a number of wireless handhelds, including a certain still-unannounced-but-geez-where-is-it product: the iPhone.
Apparently, zirconia is a good material for any small device that needs to transmit radio frequency signals--like cell phones--in that it is strong enough to protect the internal components but wireless signals can still easily pass through, according to Apple's patent filing, disclosed Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office and spotted by numerous Apple watchers.
Zirconia is also used to make fake diamonds and costume jewelry, the likes of which can be seen on any television shopping channel in seemingly endless rotation. Apple doesn't mention it in its filing, but couldn't this also allow for a bling-studded iPod for less than 200 bucks?
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Internet search, including Google, Yahoo, online advertising, and portals, as well as the evolution of mobile computing. He has written about traditional PC companies, chip manufacturers, and mobile computers, spending the last three years covering Apple. E-mail Tom.
incomprehensible for Apple to include file sharing features (a la Zune) or
bluetooth (for file transfers and/or wireless headphones). I think Microsoft knew
that they wouldn't be able to compete with iPod, but they released their
technology hoping to create a the market trend. Apple seems the most capable
candidate to successfully (in terms of mainstream acceptance) marry wi-fi and
media players.
But yeah, sure...this casing material could also be used in an iPhone.
incomprehensible for Apple to include file sharing features (a la Zune) or
bluetooth (for file transfers and/or wireless headphones). I think Microsoft knew
that they wouldn't be able to compete with iPod, but they released their
technology hoping to create a the market trend. Apple seems the most capable
candidate to successfully (in terms of mainstream acceptance) marry wi-fi and
media players.
But yeah, sure...this casing material could also be used in an iPhone.
Thank God Apple can't patent plastic or the numberpads in mobile phones...
- Can it get any more ridiculous?
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by Ryo Hazuki
December 2, 2006 8:13 AM PST
- Philling a patent for a type of material for casing...
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(8 Comments)Thank God Apple can't patent plastic or the numberpads in mobile phones...