Corning: no Willow Glass in devices for three years
updated 02:53 pm EST, Thu February 28, 2013
Dispels speculation about use in 'iWatch'
Corning's flexible Willow Glass won't appear in products until 2016 at the earliest, the company tells Bloomberg. Corning Glass Technologies president James Clappin explains that despite the company's own hopes that Willow would reach the public in 2013, potential buyers haven't yet developed products that can actually exploit the glass. He does add, however, that the company is training "very big name" clients on how to handle Willow, which can be produced in rolls like newsprint.
In recent months, more media attention has been focused on the prospect of flexible electronics, in large part because of Corning's work. Some speculation has held that Apple's anticipated watch might use the technology, especially given rumors that it will use a curved display wrapping around the wrist. Corning's statements may cast doubt on such a watch being released anytime soon, but Apple could conceivably use a less-flexible curved display in a first-generation product.
