Lately Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) appears to have a penchant for overseas forays. The latest one is Taiwanese sojourn which has led the maker of the iPhone to buy a specialty laboratory, which was run by chip making giant, QUALCOMM, Inc.(NASDAQ:QCOM). The secretive lab worked on new display technology that would guzzle lesser power. The new technology is known in electronics-world as ‘IMOD’ or ‘Interferometric Modulator Display.’
Hunt for newer display tech
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) search for all-specialty research and production lab has led the Cupertino based mobile maker to the shores of the Chinese island of Taiwan, a regional electronics hub.
The lab houses 50 employees, with much of talent recruited from AU Optronics Corporation a display manufacturer.
Time for leaner, energy efficiency
Apparently the move by Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) to begin own research/production/development of new age display comes closely on the need to make its current display technology (which is LCD screen on Macs and devices, OLED for Watch) more energy-efficient as well as thinner, lighter and definitely brighter.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is taking a leaf out of Qualcomm’s variated display technologies, such as Mirasol, IMOD, which are energy-efficient. QUALCOMM, Inc.(NASDAQ:QCOM) has invested in developing materials as well as technology which is mostly in use in modern smartphones. The display screens made by Qualcomm use mirror-like microscopic elements that reflect specific colors, like its IMOD technology.
Speculation persists that Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) may have bought off the Mirasol development facility from Qualcomm Inc, which is under pressure from investors to show profits. The chipmaker may have divested with its non-performing units just so as to keep the company together, much to the delight of Apple Inc. In this financial year, Apple is known to have bought nearly 15 companies, of which nearly 6 of the deals are unknown. Many believe this QUALCOMM, Inc. (NASDAQ:QCOM)-owned secret Lab in Taiwan may be one search purchase.
