Rumors broke out on Monday that Apple would be partnering with Toshiba to work on new display technology for mobile devices, including Cupertino adopting AMOLED screen technology. Now, Toshiba has come forward to debunk those rumors.
DigiTimes is reporting that manufacturer Toshiba has denied the rumors that Apple will invest in the company’s Toshiba Mobile Display production plant, which is focused on small to medium-sized panels such as those used in the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Part of that rumor also claimed that Apple would abandon its current Retina Display technology in favor of AMOLED.
“[Toshiba Mobile Display] capacity is all for LTPS panels and it is one of the suppliers of iPhone panels,” the report reads. “The latest iPhone panel uses an IPS panel, which is produced under an LTPS process with FFS technology, and is more energy-saving compared to other high-end panels. Supply for LTPS panels has been short since iPhone adopted LTPS.”
Given the shortage of panels for Apple’s Retina Display technology, the rumors, which spread quickly on Monday, made sense to many. “Panel makers indicated that the rumors could make sense because of limited capacity for LTPS in the market, as well as the possibility to develop AMOLED solutions by leveraging the LTPS production line,” DigiTimes reported.
Thankfully, it appears that Retina Display is here to stay and there will be no Apple investment in Toshiba’s display subsidiary -- at least for now.
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dtshaw
December 15, 2010 at 12:17pm
Apple has invested a lot into the Retina Display which in my opinion is fantastic quality. I was surprised after visiting a mobile phone shop and seeing the "burn-in" on a AMOLED Windows 7 Phone (Which has only been released one month ago), I think Apple will steer clear of the technology for the time being. AMOLED may save space and battery but I think the Retina Display is far superior at the moment.
