Corning Gorilla Glass 2 On Tap For CES

Corning isn't monkeying around. It recently teased that it will use the Consumer Electronics Show, which kicks off in Las Vegas January 10, as the launch platform for Gorilla Glass 2. What is Gorilla Glass, you ask? It is glass developed by Corning that can withstand tons of abuse.

The original version of Gorilla Glass has been widely accepted by the consumer electronics industry as the material du-jour used to protect smartphone and tablet displays. Gorilla Glass is the outermost layer used to shield the touchscreen panels that we've all come to enjoy rubbing our fingers across each and every day. Chances are your smartphone uses Gorilla Glass.

Some of the key products released in the last six months that make use of Gorilla Glass include the: HTC EVO 3D, Incredible S, and Thunderbolt; Motorola Atrix 2, Droid Bionic, Droid RAZR, and Xyboard 8.2/10.1; Nokia Lumia 800 and Lumia 710; and the Samsung Galaxy S, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Focus Flash.

[ What else can you expect to hear from CES 2012? Check out 5 Hot Mobile Trends At CES. ]

As for what's new with Gorilla Glass 2, Corning hasn't revealed much. Gorilla Glass 2 will work better with smaller devices, will offer improved touch technology, will be more durable, and will allow hardware makers to design larger, more complex glass-covered surfaces for phones, tablets, and televisions.

"Corning Gorilla Glass has been a tremendous success for Corning, enjoying excellent market acceptance across mobile device industries. Handset and tablet device manufacturers are clearly driving toward higher functionality from thinner designs. Corning's latest innovation in Gorilla Glass technology is very well positioned to meet these challenges and enable broader touch technology penetration," said senior VP and general manager of Corning specialty materials James R. Steiner in a statement.

"As we did last year [at CES 2011], we'll provide consumers and customers visiting the Corning booth the opportunity to test first-hand the outstanding damage resistance and flexibility of this industry-leading, ultra-thin, and tough specialty glass."

At CES 2011 Corning allowed attendees to hit the glass with a hammer. You can rest assured knowing that I plan to do just that with Gorilla Glass 2 at CES 2012.

According to our Outlook 2012 Survey, IT should expect soaring demand but cautious hiring as companies use technology to try to get closer to customers. Also in the new, all-digital issue of InformationWeek: Inside Windows Server 8. (Free registration required.)