Apple to Open Imaging Research Lab in Grenoble, France

iphonesecameraApple plans to open a research laboratory in Grenoble, France focused on developing improved imaging sensors and techniques for its iOS devices, according to French newspaper Dauphiné Libéré, with details shared by iPhon.fr [Google Translate].

Apple has had a team of more than a dozen researchers and engineers working on imaging research and development for more than a year at the Minatec European research center, and recently signed a lease to establish its own research laboratory in Grenoble.

The new facility, located on Rue Ampere, will give Apple the space to hire additional researchers and it will allow the company to provide its research team with specialized equipment for sensor development. Apple plans to have approximately 30 engineers working at the research lab, which will span 800 square meters.

According to the newspaper, Apple's work on sensors for the iPhone and iPad will be done in collaboration with engineers from Apple partner STMicroelectronics, which has supplied components for Apple devices in the past.

With the iPhone positioned as the most popular point-and-shoot camera in the world, Apple has invested a lot of resources into continual improvements, introducing better image quality with each iteration of the device. This year, we may see some of the biggest image improvements yet, as Apple is expected to introduce a camera with a larger sensor in the iPhone 7 and a dual-lens camera setup in the iPhone 7 Plus.

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Top Rated Comments

Thunderhawks Avatar
121 months ago
Apple opens all research facilities overseas these days.
Other countries and parts of the world have smart people too.

An international outlook or option can't hurt.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Glassed Silver Avatar
121 months ago
And when you're done taking all these beautiful photos you store them in the joke of an application that is Apple Photos, reminiscing about Aperture and boy, even iPhoto to some extend.

Understood.

Glassed Silver:mac
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacDarcy Avatar
121 months ago
As a travel blogger who ditched his heavy dslr & lenses for an iPhone to take all my pictures with, this news makes me very happy. Better sensors are needed for better pics. I'm probably one of the few excited for the iPhone 7 just because of the dual lens camera.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
121 months ago
Maybe they'll look into a camera without a bulge. You know Ive must cringe every time he sees it on his otherwise svelte products
Can't change physics.... light need to travel distance and be captured without interference. How can that be done on a totally flat surface? One day they will get it, but until then, a slight "tunnel" is needed for the mechanics.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_MIA Avatar
121 months ago
I don't get why when I've compared Samsungs S's camera shots vs iPhones they always appear clearer and nicer. And those phones cameras seem to capture pictures easier meaning less fuzzy pictures. Is it just me or is this true?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
121 months ago
Apple has barely any R&D outside of Cupertino, as this is one of their weaknesses.
Apple has R&D going on all over the world.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)