New Apple Technology to Produce Seamless Metal iPhone Case

Recommended Sources

About Technology Industry

BNET Technology provides daily industry trends and news coverage with insights for managers and executives about all aspects of the high-tech industry. In addition to detailed tech company profiles, we bring you industry analysis on new mergers and acquisitions, tech products, investments, patents, and a host of other important technology related business issues.

Back in October, Apple’s new process for making aluminum computer cases out of a single block received attention, and rightly so. No screws, stronger units, lighter weight, and cheap costs are a big plus for consumer and manufacturer alike. We should have known that wouldn’t have been the end of new case manufacturing. Apparently Apple has developed a related process to make handheld computer cases out of extruded tubing, creating the possibility for a seamless iPhone or iPod case.

Patent 7,515,431, granted on Tuesday, describes the concept. Apple extrudes an aluminum tube to make an open ended rectangular box with internal rails that run the length of the tube and an access point (the screen has to show somewhere) cut into one side. Apple can cut sections from a stretch of tubing, with each section becoming the housing for a single device. The rails make it possible to slide such components as a “user interface assembly” and other operational subassemblies into place. Elements are then secured to the tube, meaning that Apple can avoid any screws showing up on the surface of the finished device. Slide a cap on each end and you’re good to go. The patent also covers variations, including using a retaining plate that snaps into place.

To put it differently, imagine an iPhone or iPod in a single piece, brushed aluminum case, maybe with connectors in the bottom cap for ease of assembly. Kudos to Apple for yet another smart display of industrial engineering, increasing consumer design appeal, simplifying assembly, and lowering costs all at the same time.

As my colleague Michael Hickins points out, Apple has a big order in for flash memory. Could that be another sign that it expects to come out with something new that has massive sales appeal? And given that Apple may be near the saturation point for teen adoption of iPods, the company will need to do something to keep the momentum going. Having a cool new design might inspire many to ditch an older unit for something shiny and new.

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Inc., Productivity, Handhelds, Digital Music, Hardware, Personal Technology, Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Newsweek, the New York Times Magazine, Technology Review, the Financial Times, Chief Executive, and other publications. Follow him on Twitter.

BNET User Analysis

Voice your 2cents

Web Buzz:

Netflix Refunds Money Without Being Asked

TechDirt - 80 days 1 hour 2 minutes ago

With so many stories out there of companies screwing over customers or making life difficult for users, it's always nice to hear a good story. Apparently, Netflix recently had a problem with their Xbox video streaming, and proactively refunded money to customers without them asking. I can't think of any other company I've heard of that's...
Apple execs: Yes on value, no on netbooks, maybe on tablets

VentureBeat - 123 days 17 hours 4 minutes ago

During this afternoon’s conference call discussing Apple’s third quarter earnings (when the company’s iPhone and Mac sales turned out better than expected), analysts continued to press executives about whether Apple plans to enter the cheap laptop market with either netbook or tablet computers. Chief Operating OfficerTim Cook continued to...
Google I/O attendees getting free unlocked HTC Magic with T-Mobile 3G

Engadget - 178 days 18 hours 40 minutes ago

In case you needed yet another reason to nerd out with Android developers for a couple days in scenic San Francisco, here's a doozy: every attendee is getting hooked up with an unlocked HTC Magic in black plus 30 days of voice and 3G data service. While the carrier isn't specified, we certainly wouldn't be surprised if it ended up being...
Cell-Phone Maker i-Mate Reportedly Shuts Down

PC Magazine - 64 days 20 hours 16 minutes ago

In a survey of cell phone manufacturers, i-mate wouldn't have been near the top of anyone's list. As a result, the company has quietly gone out of business, according to a report
Apple offers sleek cachet for clunkers

CNET News - 76 days 1 hour 38 minutes ago

Imagine consumers en masse dumping their old PC clunker for a svelte MacBook Air running the sleek, new Snow Leopard operating system. An implausible Orwellian vision but probably not that far removed from Apple's marketing aspirations.In short, walk into any Apple Store in any Tony neighborhood and the message is: relieve yourself of those old...

BNET TalkbackShare your ideas and expertise on this topic

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

1

g3power

04/09/09 | Report as spam

g3power

I have a three or four year-old external Revoltec USB hdd
enclosure (Alu Book Edition) that is a result of the application
of this technique. It's basis is an oblong open-ended tube of
aluminum which looks like it's manufactured in an extrusion
process. The ends are covered by plastic coverings. On the
inside, rails run along the narrow sides. On of the coverings
has a metal frame attached that carries the PCB and which
glides on these rails. This most definitively is prior art.
2

ErikSherman

04/09/09 | Report as spam

RE: New Apple Technology to Produce Seamless Metal iPhone Case

It could be. But as IP lawyers have often told me, you have to read the exact language of a patent application. In this case, it's also about how to position the parts inside, how many openings cut into the tube, and so on. That said, you might be right and this could be something that deserves a challenge.