LCD TVs

PERSONAL ELECTRONICS
3D LCD TVs that don't require glasses coming soon
Apr 21, 2009 09:36 pm IDG News Service

For those willing to wear 3D viewing glasses 3D LCD TVs and monitors from Taiwan are ready now and not too expensiveby Dan Nystedt
Within the next few years, companies from Taiwan may begin selling LCD TVs with 3D (three-dimensional) viewing technology that does not require the special glasses normally used in movie theaters to show 3D films.
"The technology itself is ready," said Hsu Shao-chung, deputy director general of the Electronics and Optoelectronics Research Laboratories at Taiwan's publicly funded Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).
The research group has already licensed the technology to at least one company in Taiwan and said it will be on display at a major exhibition in Taipei next year.
Initially, the 3D technology will be used in digital signs.
Digital signs are a place for the technology to launch because companies always want to attract people's attention, said Hsu, in an interview.
The research group has been able to create 3D LCD TVs with screens as large as 56-inches, but the technology still needs some work before it can be sold for TV viewing. Colors on the 3D LCD TVs are not as vibrant as a standard LCD TV.
For people willing to wear the special polarized glasses needed for most 3D viewing, ITRI has developed 3D LCD TVs, computer monitors and mobile phone screens that could be on the market any time.
Products would already be out if it weren't for the global downturn, said Hsu.
Companies in Taiwan that ITRI had licensed the technology to had already started manufacturing 3D LCD TVs and monitors in small quantities, with a view to having them on the market this year.
When the global recession hit, production slowed. Companies now want to see how global demand shapes up before committing more resources to the new technology.
Devices made using the 3D technology that requires viewing glasses will not be much more expensive than regular LCD monitors and TVs, said Hsu. He estimated about 10 percent more on average.
Computer gamers will probably find the technology a must-have in the near term. It works well on some games but most are not made for 3D screens.
To get content makers on board with 3D, ITRI is promoting the technology to game developers, TV stations and movie makers in Taiwan to help them capture, render and develop 3D products.
The research group will also host a conference next week in Taipei to promote 3D technology, (International Display Manufacturing Conference, 3D Systems and Applications, Asia Display 2009) with software and content makers from around the world slated to attend.

Nokia

New editions in Nokia’s most successful mobile phone range January 30, 2009

In Singapore overnight, Nokia announced the Nokia 6700 classic, the Nokia 6303 classic and the Nokia 2700 classic - three devices that build on the formula that made Nokia the world leader in mobile phones. The new trio combines functionality and great user experience required in today’s hectic times with premium designs and materials that make the handsets beautiful, well built and competitively priced.

Leading the new collection is the Nokia 6700 classic, which continues the legacy of one of the company’s most successful products, the Nokia 6300. “The Nokia 6300 raised the bar in terms of design and premium materials when it arrived in 2006 and topped all sales records for a mid-range mobile phone. The Nokia 6700 moves that bar even higher with a beautiful, slim design and perfectly balanced practicality,” said Soren Petersen, Senior Vice President, Nokia. “Our new arrival shares the same ‘DNA’ as its predecessor and we believe that it will be one of our best selling devices in 2009,” continued Petersen.

The Nokia 6700 combines smooth surfaces, rich materials and precisely crafted parts with a full metal keymat which completes the premium finish. Improving on all areas of its forerunner, the Nokia 6700 comes with a five megapixel camera, assisted GPS navigation with Nokia Maps, and high speed data access meaning sharing images or video is faster and easier than ever.

The Nokia 6303 classic is the ideal handset for people that see the current value proposition of the Nokia 6300. The 3.2 megapixel camera comes to life on the large 2.2 inch screen and with pre-loaded Nokia Maps, the Nokia 6303 combines a long list of features with excellent battery performance. In addition, people can plug any music accessory into the standard 3.5 mm audio jack and have a fully fledged mobile music player that’s able to carry thousands of their favorite tracks.

Rounding off the new arrivals is the Nokia 2700 classic which is one of Nokia’s most affordable, full featured handsets. Offering up to 2GB of storage via the memory card slot, the mobile phone also has an integrated digital music player and a two megapixel camera, making it equally competent for imaging and music. “These features mean people can save, access and share files in hundreds of formats via Nokia’s online service, Share on Ovi, or a number of other websites. The rich features and simple interface mean that in many cases, the Nokia 2700 classic will provide its owner’s first Internet experience,” concluded Petersen.