A newly-published Apple patent application outlines a new process for creating plastic-based touch screen panels that would provide benefits over existing plastic and glass touch screen panel technologies. Originally filed on June 13, 2007, the application for a “PET-based touch pad” describes a touchscreen comprised of two layers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic that could help the company make thinner and cheaper touch-sensitive displays than their existing glass and plastic counterparts.
Images filed with the application show the panel used in both an iPhone-like mobile telephone and an iPod classic-like digital media player, suggesting that Apple could add the panels to a more traditional iPod, as well as possible future iPhone and iPod touch models. As with all Apple patents, this filing does not necessarily represent any future product releases from Apple, but offers evidence of the company’s research in this area.
[via Electronista]
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