Apple has reportedly opened a “secret” laboratory to develop lighter, thinner screens in northern Taiwan.
According to Bloomberg, the consumer electronics giant has at least 50 engineers and other workers at the unmarked site in Longtan Science Park. They are developing display technologies, with some of these hired from AU Optronics and Qualcomm. Qualcomm had been located at the site until this year.
Developing next-generation touchscreens within the company could be a way of reducing Apple’s dependence on tech developed by suppliers, notes the 9to5Mac site.
Elsewhere it's speculated that the advanced screens being developed at the site could be made of Organic LED, with LG increasing its production and Japan Display also looking to do so.
Apple uses a massive network of suppliers worldwide, and the manufacturing of almost all components is done through these, including Foxconn and Japan Display. Most research is carried out at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters in California.