Apple Researching Carbon Fiber Composite Materials for Exterior Shells

This would be awesome.

A patent application from Apple filed in October 2007 and published today reveals that the company is researching the use of carbon fiber composites for use in the exterior shells of electronic devices. Specifically, the patent application relates to the use of a "scrim" layer on the exterior surface of the carbon fiber laminate allowing for an "improved cosmetic surface."

In the background for the application, Apple objects to the appearance of typical carbon fiber composite materials:

Despite the many benefits of carbon fiber composites, such composites are typically black and the carbon fibers are typically visible on the composite surface. In addition, the fibers (either as a unidirectional, woven, or nonwoven substrate) are typically variable in their construction and therefore are variable in their surface presentation. As a result, the resulting carbon fiber composite can have cosmetic imperfections that reduce the aesthetic appearance of the molded article formed therefrom. Further, carbon fiber composites, often being black, provide a narrow range of surface appearance to the molded article and therefore may give a "tired", unexciting look.

Apple's insistence on aesthetic designs has apparently led the company to focus efforts on improving the visual appeal of such carbon fiber composites, which hold significant appeal for notebook computer design due to their strength and light weight.

A rumor from November 2008 claimed that Apple was exploring the possibility of replacing the bottom case of the MacBook Air with a carbon fiber composite in order to shave approximately a quarter pound off of the machine's total weight.

via: macrumors.

Next iPhone to Easily Record, Edit and Share Movies?

Considering all the leaked evidence of video recording and editing in the iPhone 3.0 beta, it's not really a stretch to predict that the next iPhone will offer long-requested video features. Still, Businessweek's Peter Burrows confirms that to be the case based on a source familiar with Apple's plans for the next iPhone.

In fact, Burrows suggests that video recording won't simply be an afterthought but a major feature of the new iPhone.

Evidently, shooting video is as easy as it is with a Flip, the ingenious device made by Pure Digital (recently purchased by Cisco). Then there's an iMovie app that lets you quickly save the sections you want, right there on the phone itself. There may also be support for MMS, so the clips can be shared wirelessly with friends. And because of the iPhone's relatively large screen, your friends don’t have to schlep to your PC or their Facebook page to see that video of your kids or your safari. Just hand them your iPhone.

Burrows even suggests it could be as successful as Apple's late, yet dominating, entry into the MP3 market with the iPod. An easy to use video recording, editing and sharing iPhone could be a breakthrough usage for the device -- allowing people on a large scale to quickly record and share videos without bothering to connect to their computer.

For what it's worth, MacRumors has similarly heard that the next iPhone will support Video recording and YouTube sharing which has been supported by evidence found in the iPhone 3.0 beta.

via: macrumors.