New 70" Touchscreen Display from Sharp Responds to Real Brushstrokes

Sharp recently showed off a brand new 70 inch LCD touch screen in Tokyo. With the new touch screen technology, Sharp says that it is the closest thing to working with a piece of paper and a pen, even with how big the screen is. This prototype could be used for a ton of applications, but they decided to use calligraphy to show off what it could do. They used a calligraphy brush with capacitive fibers to write on the screen, and it actually responded as if they were using a real brush and real ink. They also used smaller brushes on another screen to "paint" fine details of a dragon and it looked just like a watercolor painting. 

This kind of technology has already come out, of course. But the big reason that this is so impressive is because it works with bigger formats and it is way more sensitive. So sensitive, in fact, that the smallest of details were able to be picked up accurately. Generally you can't do that with bigger screens because the noise from the display takes away from the sensitivity of the touch panel. They were able to get around this issue by using a parallel drive sensing method. This drives the processes of multiple touch sensors at the same time. The signal processing software for the screen allowed Sharp to have a signal-to-noise ratio eight times higher than other screens on the market right now.

These are still in the developmental stage but when these type of screens start hitting the market, it could be huge for businesses and classrooms alike. Having a digital whiteboard could benefit just about any business or school. It would also be really great to have at large events or business meetings. 

The company showed off a number of new screens at the event, and some of the other ones were said to be hitting the market some time in 2016. There wasn't much word on when we could get our hands on the 70 incher, but hopefully it will be around the same time. Graphic designers, business owners, and teachers could all benefit greatly from such an awesome new product. 

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Sharp to Release World's Thinnest 4K Monitor

Sharp is planning on selling what it believes is the computer monitor industry's thinnest 4K computer monitor ever. The device itself is a 32", LCD computer monitor that measures only 3.5mm thick and is expected to come out in February, 2013. In addition to that, Sharp said that the new monitor would cost nearly ¥450,000, or roughly $5,500, when it is released in Japan.

The monitor uses Sharp's new IGZO technology and is capable of displaying up to 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, which is equivalent to four full 1080p HD screens. According to spokeswoman for Sharp Miyuki Nakayama, "We are hoping to launch around the same time globally. This is aimed at computer designers, architects, medical users - those types of people."

The monitor will come with dual HDMI hookups, allowing you to connect both your PC and a Blu-ray player or gaming console and even has hookups for external speakers. Sharp is promoting IGZO display technology, which gains its name from the indium gallium zinc oxide semiconductor on which it is based. Sharp will also launch its first smartphone and tablet devices with the same technology in Japan. Two of the main features of this technology are the low energy consumption and prolonged battery life for mobile devices.

Sharp also said that using this technology in the new monitor allows for an extra-thin design die to the fact that the technology requires less backlighting than other methods and can be "edge lit" to avoid bulkiness. Sharp initiated mass production of IGZO screens earlier in 2012.

Television makers across the world are slowly distributing 4K televisions, though there is little in the way of appliances. Sony has already announced that it is planning on revealing the world's first 4K Ultra HD delivery solution while offering exclusive Hollywood content to buyers.

Source: PC World - Sharp to launch world's thinnest 4K monitor for about $5,500

Samsung and Sony End HDTV Discounts in Stores

Got your eye on a slick Sony or Samsung HDTV that would totally bring your entertainment center together? Does the price seem a bit too high for your bank account? Are you waiting for Black Friday or some other day when that set goes on sale? If you answered yes to that last question then I have some bad news. Samsung and Sony have both announced that they will not allow retailers to sell their HDTVs at discounted prices below the suggested retail price of the device.

Discounts on things like HDTVs are amazing for consumers, though retailers don't particularly like the idea of discounts, especially amid dwindling profit margins. That is why Samsung and Sony have decided to force retailers to drop the heavily discounted pricing schemes in hopes of boosting profits and making more money. The Wall Street Journal reported first that Samsung and Sony were introducing new pricing plans that were specifically designed to increase the lackluster prospects of big name retailers like Best Buy while also trying to help other physical stores compete with online retailers that typically charge less for HDTVs.

This new pricing policy from both companies went into effect last month and prevents stores from advertising or selling Samsung and Sony TVs for less than prices that have been set by the manufacturers. Unfortunately, this plan is extremely risky. The main risk factor is that consumers may simply pass on these name brand TVs for other ones that are on sale, not to mention the fact that other name brand companies, like LG, Panasonic, Sharp and Vizio, are still offering sales and discounts. This could mean that Samsung and Sony's plans could backfire, losing more money for the companies than gaining.

HDTV manufacturers and retailers have suffered dramatically from slowing sales and declining profit margins for a while now, though some manufacturers are hopeful for this year. Both LG and Samsung saw profit margins of just over 2% in 2011, which isn't very impressive, though it is still better than breaking even like the companies did in 2010. In addition to that, retailers have been struggling as well. Best Buy announced in March that it was closing 50 of its bigger stores and replacing them with 100 smaller outlets that will focus on phones, tablets and e-readers but not TVs.

If you still want deals on Samsung and Sony HDTVs, you will have to turn to the internet and online retailers for them as Samsung and Sony's pricing scheme doesn't carry over to online stores. However, you can still get name brand products from physical stores as LG, Panasonic, Sharp and Vizio still think discounts are a smart business decision.

Source: PC World - Samsung, Sony Put the Kibosh on TV Discounts

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Poor Reviews Delay Google TV

CES 2011, the huge upcoming electronics trade show, was supposed to be the huge unveiling of Google's new software for televisions, which would add a bunch of computer elements to the TV including Web video from sources like YouTube. While Google has an exclusive deal with Sony, other TV makers, like Sharp, Toshiba and LG, were supposed to come out with their own versions as well.

However, Google has requested that these other companies delay their premiers in order for Google to refine their software, software that has received mediocre reception so far. This request from Google was shocking to many of the other developers and it illustrates some of the struggles Google faces as it works on expanding into the field of consumer electronics.

What many people may not realize is that Google has a bit of a history when it comes to putting out new products and revising them at the last minute. On the other hand, companies in the consumer electronics market place big bets in order to attract holiday buyers and back-to-school shoppers.

Computer makers waited for Google's Chrome OS software this year in order to ship new types of Web-based laptops. However, Google once again had to delay, causing manufacturers to miss out on this holiday season.

A big win for Google does, however, come in the form of the company's Android software. But the same story follows here as phone makers and computer manufacturers have been forced, once again, to push back plans on tablet designs that are based on a refined version of the Android software which put Apple's iPad on top for this holiday season.

Now, it seems like similar problems are hitting the Google TV. While pushing to improve the less than stellar software, Google appears to be facing the technical challenges that have kept the idea of Web TV becoming mainstream head on. Industry analysts say that Google's abrupt change of plans shows a weakness in Google's business culture around managing their relationships with partners.

According to James L. McQuivey, analyst for Forrester, Google as a company is not a particularly partner-friendly or partner-focused company. Because of the delay it may might take another year before Google TV has a chance to catch fire."

Executives at the television makers stated that they were not reacting to abrupt changes from Google. On the other hand, according to people familiar with what was going on, these manufacturers were definitely caught with their pants down. Google spokeswoman Gina Weakley declined to discuss "rumors and speculation" about unannounced products.

According to Ms. Weakley, "Our long-term goal is to collaborate with a broad community of consumer electronics manufacturers to help drive the next-generation TV-watching experience, and we look forward to working with other partners to bring more devices to market in the coming years."

The first Google TVs were shipped back in October, according to the deal with Sony, which saw 24" models starting at $600 and up to $1,400 for a 46". Sony, as well as Logitech, sell complimentary appliances which allow people to tap into Google TV software without replacing their TVs.

The only manufacturer that appears to be an entrant to the Google TV market at CES 2011 is Samsung who will present two appliances which are similar to those from Logitech and Sony. Vizio also plans on demonstrating its version of Google TV, however, they will do it with private demonstrations on the show floor.

It is surprising how much the Google TV products are like computers. They run on Intel's Atom chips and can process software typically found on PCs. The biggest thing Internet TV promises is the ability to watch any show or movie at any time streamed over the web. However, this is a far, far away reality for Google TV.

People can now pay to watch all of their favorite shows and movies whenever they want to using Netflix or Amazon on Google TV and can watch regular TV shows as well. Major networks, however, are not providing programming on Google TV. NBC, CBS, ABC and Hulu have all blocked people from accessing full episodes of shows via their websites on Google TV.

There are some other things that people may find useless about Google TV as well, like watching YouTube videos and showing off pictures of your family trip to the Zoo on a bigger screen. Monitoring ESPN.com while simultaneously watching the game and updating your Facebook may also be a bit much for your average user.

The one thing Google is most famous for is their search engine, a feature which the company promises to incorporate into Google TV. In contrast with the traditional cable and DVR menus that you are used to using, Google TV allows you to search for the name of a show and see exactly when it is being broadcasted and where it is available online. In addition, you can view links to websites about the show and the actors in it.

According to consumer technology reviewers and early customers, Google TV is not ready for prime time. 38% of shoppers on Amazon only gave the Logitech Revue box 3 stars or less. 19% gave it the lowest possible rating of a one star. Many complaints consisted of it being slow and that it did not offer any more programming or features than some of the other less expensive set-top boxes.

The software in Google TV is fairly complex and requires a remote control that includes a mouse and keyboard. However there are also smaller problems like when the windows to watch TV and browse the internet simultaneously cover up crucial commands. These limitations aside, the major TV manufacturers were prepared to join the party with Google TV. Specifically, they hoped to cover up any sizable lead by Sony.

According to Vice President of Toshiba's Digital Products Division Jeff Barney, "We will not be announcing a Toshiba TV or Blu-ray player or demonstrating the products at CES. We have an understanding with Google about the future product roadmap and will bring the right product out at the right time."

A blog posted by Google last week announced software updates to its TV platform allowing it to include better tools for watching movies and TV shows via Netflix as well as a remote control app built for smartphones running Android software. However, the main updates are still yet to come.

According to McQuivey, "Google needs to learn some of those abilities [partnership skills] - both in terms of partnerships with broadcasters and working with hardware partners. You can give me the recipe for the absolute best chocolate chip cookies in the world, but until I put the ingredients together and bake them at exactly the right temperature for the right time, they're not cookies, and that is where Google TV is."

Big things could come from Google TV if they can get everything down pat. Once they get everything working like it is supposed to then this could be one of the biggest advancements in consumer electronics to date. We can only hope people have not lost interest when that time comes around.

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Sharp AQUOS 20-inch DX LCD HDTV

Everyone these days is going for one of those fancy new LCD TVs. And why not? There big, shiny, pretty, and new and everybody loves shiny new things. Now, to completely optimize you visual experience, one of the best things to do is to upgrade with a Blu-ray player to watch all your movies in stunning high definition quality. The only problem with this is that most LCD TVs are expensive and most Blu-ray players are expensive, leaving you with a big price to pay if you want the full package. If only there were some way to get them both simultaneously without paying out the wazoo for it!

Well now, thanks to Sharp, there is. Sharp has just released the worlds first 20-inch LCD HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player. That's right, no more going to the store and having to cough up big bucks to get both a Blu-ray player and an HDTV since Sharp has so nicely integrated them both into the same device. But there is one little catch. Although you have the wonderful convenience of having a Blu-ray player built into your t.v., you will not be able to view your lovely Blu-ray movies in full resolution.

The AQUOS 20-inch DX only comes in with a 1,366 x 768 resolution, which sort of defeats the purpose of the Blu-ray player. This has baffled many consumers worldwide. However, the Blu-ray player is a complete loss. Sharp boasts that the AQUOS DX Blu-ray integration is able to record t.v. programs onto Blu-ray dvd's.

There are some larger models in Sharps arsenal that range up to 52-inches. These larger models are said to have 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution, 30W speakers, 9 different inputs, 176 degree viewing angle, and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. These specs are for the 37-inch and up models only however. Any model smaller than 37-inches will have a 1,366 x 768 pixel resolution, 20W speakers, and a 1500:1 contrast ratio like the AQUOS 20-inch DX. You can get these models in either black (LC-20DX1-B) or white (LC-20DX1-W).

This 20-inch model has a great vision with the integrated Blu-ray player but fails to follow through with the necessary resolution to make it worth your while and at a price of $1,593, it doesn't quite seem worth it. But I will leave that decision up to you. The Sharp AQUOS 20-inch DX LCD HDTV ships in Japan at the end of this month with it hitting American store shelves soon after that.