Tech powerhouse Apple Inc. has opened a production laboratory located in northern Taiwan as it aims to develop new display technologies, according to a Bloomberg report.
Citing statements from people familiar with the matter, the report said that the Apple building in Longtan serves as an avenue where at least 50 engineers and workers create new screens for gadgets like iPhones and iPads.
The sources added that the firm has recruited local display maker Qualcomm Inc. and AU Optronics Corp. for the said endeavor.
Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet declined to give comments about the news.
According to the sources, operations at the laboratory started this year. The venture eyes to produce thinner, lighter, brighter and more energy-efficient products. Engineers have been working to make more advanced versions of the current liquid-crystal displays used in Apple gadgets.
The sources also said that the firm is shifting to organic light-emitting diodes, which do not require backlight and are thinner.
Apple's slim and long-lasting devices have been the firm's trademark. This quality design used in its iPhones and iPads has generated an annual sales of $178 billion.
For analysts, Apple's move of working directly on the development of display technologies will help the company reduce its reliance on other suppliers, including LG Display Co., Sharp Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. and Japan Display Inc.
To further intensify its efforts to focus on the said technology, Apple continues to hire engineers to work at its display panel facilities. This is backed by the number of Apple job postings on its LinkedIn account.