Like rumors about Apple’s augmented reality efforts keep warm, a new report states that Apple has partnered with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to develop and produce sophisticated micro OLED monitors for use in a future AR headset.
According Nikkei Asia, Apple is deepening its relationship with TSMC – the manufacturer responsible for manufacturing the A and M series chips used in new iPhones and Macs – to produce micro OLED screens designed for use in AR devices.
A source with information on Apple’s micro OLED efforts told Nikkei Asia that the reason Apple chose TSMC over a traditional screen maker like Samsung or LG is because “pAN players are good at making bigger and bigger screens, but when it comes to thin and light devices like AR glasses, you need a very small screen. Apple is partnering with TSMC to develop the technology because the chipmaker’s experience is making things ultra-small and good, while Apple is also leveraging the know-how of panelists in display technologies. ”
this it appears that TSMC will use part of its existing chip manufacturing to start the early production of these monitors, while working to build additional production lines with Apple, which has a research lab in Taoyuan, Taiwan (minutes from TSMC’s advanced chip packaging and test facility).
A Nikkei Asia source claims that Apple’s micro OLED project has already reached the stage of experimental production, with total mass production still within a few years. This suggests that despite rumors that Apple could launch some kind of AR headset in late 2021 or 2202, Apple’s big push for AR / VR will not happen until 2023 or later.
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When it comes to AR devices, the micro OLED is seen as one of the next major advances in the technology of OLED and LCD displays used in today’s devices. The great advantage of the micro OLED is that the diodes can be built directly on silicon wafers, instead of requiring an additional glass or plastic substrate, which allows for a smaller thickness and greater energy efficiency.
However, it seems that Apple is still trying to decide the final form of its eventual AR headset. Recent reports say Apple is testing several designs for separate AR and VR glasses, with the latter potentially configured to include dual 8K monitors.
Still, before Apple can launch a headset for the masses, it has to discover its technology first, which seems to be exactly what Apple is doing in strengthening its partnership with TSMC.