Apple patent explores light-absorbent matte black finish for its devices

Source: ColorWare

It looks like Apple has been giving some thought about having matte black products with a new patent it has filed. Filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the application is titled "Anodized Part Having a Matte Black Appearance." It outlines the characteristics of a light-absorbent matte black finish that can be used for its devices and the possible manufacturing processes to achieve this. The patent claims this finish can be used on different metals and metal alloys, like aluminum, steel, and titanium.

It has an anodized layer that has "randomly distributed light-absorbing features that are capable of absorbing visible light." The layer contains pores, "where colour particles are infused within the pores." And this results in a surface that has a deep, intense matte black, which is a colour that is generally hard to achieve. Most commercial black products are actually dark gray or blue. 

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Apple iPhone 11 with glitchy displays can be replaced through this free program

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If you're one of the iPhone 11 owners who have issues with your phone's touchscreen, you might be eligible for a free replacement. Apple has launched a replacement program for a "small percentage" of iPhone 11 devices suffering from its display module issue that doesn't make it responsive to touch.

Affected devices were manufactured between November 2019 and May 2020, and you can check at this link to see if your phone qualifies for the replacement program.

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OPPO's new patent experiments with removable camera modules

Phone makers have been looking for ways to get rid of the selfie camera on phones. Some have resorted to hiding them under the display, flipping up the rear camera, or using pop-up cameras. OPPO is one of those manufacturers that has been doing its fair share of experimentation. Its latest exploration revolves around removable camera modules. A new patent from the company describes how you can pull out the module from the back and point it at your subject if you want to take a selfie or shoot more of a scene. 

The design shown in the patent has two cameras and options for USB-C, NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. A lithium-ion battery will power the module while you line up your shot. What isn't know is if you can swap out camera modules, which could mean you might be able to upgrade a phone's camera without replacing the entire handset. Of course, this design is still just a patent. It isn't sure if OPPO plans to build a phone featuring this design. But, at least, we know the company is thinking about it.

Source: Engadget

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