One of the major drawbacks when it comes to displays that are used in tablets and smartphones is that they are quite sensitive to reflections. Working comfortably on your tablet in the garden can therefore be rather difficult when the sun is shining. Fortunately, this is going to change soon, according to Corning.
Corning is the company behind the Gorilla Glass that we encounter today in many tablets and smartphones. This glass is scratch resistant and can withstand rough treatment. However, the company is also working on anti-reflective glass displays where glare will no longer be a nuisance, and this will increase readability in outdoor. The glass is shown in the picture below, but the circle that you see in the middle is not a real hole. The glass within this circle is in fact equipped with anti-reflection coating that you simply can look through and see no reflections. Just imagine your smartphone having this – you would finally be able to see the screen no matter how bright the sun behind you is.
While this is definitely very important step forward, it is not the only interesting thing about this glass. Current Gorilla Glass is virtually unbreakable and scratch resistant, and the improved one will come with a special antimicrobial coating which helps to destroy invisible germs that your phone naturally picks up while being used.
In addition, Corning is working on a new type of glass that goes by the name Willow Glass. This glass is as strong as Gorilla Glass but as thin as a banknote. We may see this glass built into the first flexible smartphones and tablets.
In short, some interesting developments we are likely to be seen in the next generation of tablets and smartphones. However, it is not yet clear when the first products with this glass will appear on the market.
