[ChrisS]

Apple has been developing touch screen alternatives that would let it offer inexpensive multi-touch panels made out of plastic, as oppose to glass according to a newly-published US patent filing. The new displays would put near-transparent, capacitive wires in rows on one panel and link them to columns on another. The end result would be a significantly cheaper and lighter display no thicker than current iPhone displays. The new displays were submitted just two weeks ago, prior to the release of the old iPhone.

[Via electronista]