Sharp Amps Up Mobile LCD Displays

By Geoff Duncan Published April 17, 2007

Sharp Amps Up Mobile LCD Displays

Electronics maker Sharp has announced it has developed a new class of LCD displays for mobile devices intended to better support moving images—and do so at a price substantially lower than competing OLED display technology.

The new panels (Japanese) will feature a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 176° viewing angles, QVGA (320 by 240) resolution, and 8 ms response times, making them more than adequate for the needs of the growing mobile video market in cell phones, digital cameras, smartphones, and portable media players. Sharp says the contrast ratio is the world’s highest offered for a 2-inch LCD, and that it intends to keep manufacturing costs for the new LCDs to no more than 130 percent of the cost of standard LCD panels. If Sharp can pull it off, that would make is new LCDs substantially cheaper than competing OLED displays, which currently cost two to three times as much as conventional LCD displays.

Recommended Videos

Sharp says it will start sampling the new panels by the end of 2007, and hopes to grow the new LCD panels into a ¥100 billion ($836 million) business by early 2009.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Mobile

This affordable tablet runs on Android 14 — it’s on sale for only $98

The front and back of the Zonko 10-inch tablet.

While there are tablet deals featuring top-of-the-line models from the most popular brands, there are also some offers for affordable devices. Here's one from Walmart -- the Zonko 10-inch tablet for only $98, which is less than half its original price of $200. You probably didn't think you can get an Android 14 tablet for less than $100, so if you want to take advantage of this offer, you should hurry with your purchase and complete it today if possible as we don't think stocks will last long following this $102 discount.

Why you should buy the Zonko 10-inch tablet
The Zonko 10-inch tablet runs on Android 14, which is the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, so you'll have access to the new features. The tablet is equipped with the octa-core Allwinner A523 processor and 8GB of RAM, which will provide smooth performance, but of course not at the level of the flagship models of the best tablets. These specifications are more than enough for basic tasks such as browsing the internet and watching streaming shows though, so the Zonko 10-inch tablet will be a worthwhile purchase if these are mostly what you'll be using the device for.

Mobile

Every Apple Watch release in chronological order: 2014–2024

The Apple Watch Series 10 models on display at Apple Park.

Like the iPhone did for cell phones, the Apple Watch has changed the market of health and fitness trackers forever. While the iPhone was the biggest product launch under Steve Jobs, the Apple Watch has become Tim Cook’s biggest product launch since taking over after Jobs’ death in 2011.

The original Apple Watch was first announced in September 2014, and since that time, we've had a decade of Apple Watch models for every budget and person. That decade has seen a lot of changes in the Apple Watch, and while the general shape hasn't changed, we've seen many new features, slimmer bezels, and even a new rugged outlook for certain models.

Mobile

I used the HMD Fusion, 2024’s bravest smartphone

The back of the HMD Fusion in its Casual Outfit.

I’ve been using one of the bravest phones of the year. It’s the HMD Fusion, and it has found a way to stand out in the current, congested world of smartphones, allowing HMD to break free of its Nokia brand name ties.

It hasn’t simply gone all-out with a $1,000-plus flagship to capture attention and has arguably gone down an even tougher road to do so. The Fusion is a modular smartphone, and it’s a very brave move on HMD’s part.
HMD Fusion specs