This last month there we’re several rumors revolving around a Liquidmetal based iPhone and MacBook design that was said to be coming out this year. Even a recent report from iLounge disconfirms this rumor. Spoiler Alert for all you dreamers…
It’s unlikely to happen anytime soon…
Apple purchased exclusive rights to use Liquidmetal technology two years ago. Since then we haven’t seen any real implementation except for the SIM card removal tool. Most rumors we’re hopeful of Liquidmetal designs for new Apple products this year but unfortunately it’s just not in the cards right now.
Atakan Peker, Liquidmetal co-inventor, went on the record to set some facts straight about any possibility of Apple using this technology in a MacBook unibody design or a sleek iPhone casing. He expects Apple to release a “breakthrough product” using Liquidmetal, but says Apple would need to spend between 300 and 500 million dollars perfecting the process.
He spoke out during an interview with Business Insider:
I’ve heard rumors that future MacBooks from Apple could use Liquidmetal casing, what would that be like? Is it likely to happen?
Given the size of MacBook and scale of Apple products, I think it’s unlikely that Liquidmetal casing will be used in MacBooks in the near term. It’s more likely in the form of small component such as a hinge or bracket. A MacBook casing, such as a unibody, will take two to four more years to implement.
I expect Apple to use this technology in a breakthrough product. Such product will likely bring an innovative user interface and industrial design together, and will also be very difficult to copy or duplicate with other material technologies.
The metallic-colored alloy know as Liquidmetal, would look very slick on any Apple design. It always makes me think of the movie Terminator. Sorry to be a “Debbie Downer” though, but it looks like this isn’t happening for a while.
Anyone disappointed?
