Not exactly a huge surprise here, but a new study out from NPD DisplaySearch today has confirmed that the trend towards larger screens in continuing at a steady pace in all but a few key areas. The big exception is “mobile PCs,” which NPD defines as laptops and tablets for its purposes. That area dropped from a 13.6-inch average in 2010 to 12.1-inch in 2012 (with an ever so slight increase to 12.2-inches projected for 2013), a drop that represents a ten percent decrease overall and is largely attributed to the growth of tablets . All other areas have seen small to significant growth in recent years, with LCD TVs growing 9 percent, mobile phones increasing 38 percent, and portable media players jumping 29 percent. The biggest growth, by far, comes in OLED TVs, which have gone from a mere 15-inch average in 2010 to an average of 55-inches today — a growth of 267 percent.
A new study from NPD DisplaySearch today shows that on average, the diagonal size of LCD and other displays on electronic devices and public signboards is on the rise, with the notable exception of mobile PCs. In some areas, NPD is showing huge growth, like the whopping 38 percent projected increase in mobile phone screen size between 2010 and 2013.
Display sizes are also making modest increases in other areas, like the 5 percent change in desktop monitors (from 19.9-inches in 2010 to a projected 20.9-inches in 2013), or the 29 percent spike in portable media player size. Given that Apple has a huge portion of both the PMP and mobile phone spaces, its recent introduction of larger-screened iPhones, iPod touches and iPod nanos likely influenced the significant project growth in those areas. Android and Windows Phone 8-powered devices are also seeing screen sizes packing on extra inches, however, so the fire was already started long before Apple came along to help bring up the average.
Why are mobile PC screen sizes trending downwards? NPD says it’s because of a couple of factors, including the rising interest in ultrabooks (though there’s some debate about how interested customers actually are in that category), and more importantly, the growth of tablets. Average sizes are expected to fall from 13.6-inches to 12.2-inches between 2010 and 2013 in the mobile PC segment, and if Microsoft’s new Windows 8 OS makes the splash in tablets the company seems to be hoping it will with the Surface and third-party offerings, that number could go even lower as 10-inch devices flood the market.
In the end, that means consumers can continue to expect their video and digital image media devices to get larger and larger, for the most part, which is also good news for content producers and those working in advancing digital A/V tech. I’m just hoping all mobile phones don’t go on a Galaxy Note II growth spurt, because that would require too much rethinking in terms of how we design and build pants pockets.
The next Nexus family device set to be released by Google and LG appears to have been revealed essentially top to bottom by a man with a prototype. This LG Nexus device being a prototype shown off by the Onliner lends quite a bit of detail as far as how this device will look and feel, but does not send out final details insomuch as it’s working with software that’s already out on the market and does not seem to be performing as it would have to in benchmark tests of several types. This review of the device release today is therefor a look at the ideation process behind Google and LG’s collaboration.
The photographs above and below appear very much to be showing an LG device based on their recently revealed LG Optimus G, a device with a quad-core processor from Qualcomm and a massive camera. The USA versions of the Optimus G have two different cameras, one model with a 13 megapixel camera, the other with an 8 megapixel camera. This LG Nexus device quite likely has an 8 megapixel camera, this assessment based on the apparent size of the module compared to the G and our understanding of how Google advances their Nexus line one step at a time – aka they wouldn’t skip 8 and go right to 13.
The Galaxy Nexus, a Samsung device, surprised the masses last year with a release that included a 5 megapixel camera. We expect that this LG device – if indeed it does pan out – will include an 8 megapixel camera at least. This prototype carries with it the code LG E960 as well as the name “Mako”. It’s also been suggested that this device is code-named LG Nexus 4.
The LG Nexus 4 name comes from the idea that it is the 4th major Nexus smartphone on the market – or will be in the near future. The prototype review we’re seeing today shows the device to be extremely similar to the Galaxy Nexus in size and shape with a slightly more flat front and back, a glittery sort of back panel not unlike the Optimus G, and a front panel with glass that curves downward near its edges.
The display is shown here to be an IPS LCD and has the same amount of pixels that the Galaxy Nexus had at 720 x 1280 across a 4.7-inch panel. The image you’re seeing below shows the device next to the iPhone 5, that device having a 4-inch panel, both devices apparently showing the same wallpaper to make it clear which is the brighter and the sharper of the two. We do not know if the reviewer here made both devices hit their maximum brightness.
Keep your eyes peeled for a real look at this device as it leaves its prototype stages and brings on the next generation of Google’s Vanilla-flavored Android system. We’re expecting a very clean version of whatever Google has to offer next for Android with no carrier additions. What we’re suspecting, in addition to this, is a worldwide release – or something close to it – with Google’s own Google Play store online offering up the device for sale for everyone all at once.
We shall see soon, and very soon, if the rumors are correct!
If you’re in the market for a no-nonsense travel-ready notebook you can take with you on any business-related trip where data input, web browsing, and typing in general are your game, the Acer TravelMate P243 may be just the device you’re looking for. This machine has proven itself to be both reliable and deceptively simple in the way it both looks and feels, bringing with it more power than you might ever need for a price you’ll be well satisfied with. With features like a spill-resistant keyboard and a lovely 1366 x 768 pixel resolution ComfyView LCD, you might just find that this notebook is just the right combination of light computing in a relatively small package you need.
Hardware
Inside you’ll find several possibilities for what you’ll be able to work with, with a 3rd Generation Intel Core i5 processor to start things off right with current-generation processing power – backed up by Intel Turbo Boost technology, of course. You’ll also be working with 4GB of DDR3 memory (that you can upgrade easily under the hood to 8GB if you wish. You’ve got a SATA hard drive 500GB large as well as a collection of connection ports for several different purposes.
This device is made for business, and that’s definitely what you should be using it for. It’s tough – though not necessarily tough enough to bring along with you camping. It’s powerful – though not really for video processing, when it comes down to it. It’s got security – Acer’s own ProShield pre-boot authentication makes for that added bit of calm in your mind when you’re thinking about your data being destroyed – not here it wont!
Of course before we launch into the software side of things, we’ve got to have a peek at all those ports. You’ve got one USB 3.0 port and a couple of USB 2.0 ports, HDMI and display port in addition to Wireless Display technology (WiDi) if you’re into the wireless HD display era. Built-in ethernet port keeps you wired if you’re not all about wi-fi data, and your wi-fi connection can be turned on and off with a physical button up in the left next to the power button right above your keyboard.
The keyboard itself is rather nice, certainly generous for the intent of the notebook and more than ready for a business environment. Several lights sit in the lower left below the area where your wrists will be sitting with notifications for your power, wi-fi connection, and more. Next to this is an SD card reader that you’ll be able to use for your camera and – if you’ve got a converter – your micro-SD card-holding smartphone as well.
Notice that the display does not have perfect viewing angles as its given the hands-on treatment in the video above. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly bright and sharp enough for your everyday web browsing, email reading, and document typing needs. The build of the notebook is also, again, solid and ready to work for you for many years to come.
Software
Inside you’ve got a lovely Windows 7 build that you can read just a bit more about in the readout we’ve got below this paragraph. It’s a relatively standard build and won’t bring on a whole lot of surprises, but you will get items such as the ability to run Acer Video Conference with your video camera (above the display) and Acer Backup – more than helpful for those of you that accidentally download your fair share of adware. Back it all up on the regular!
You’ve got Acer Office Manager as well, this made for the small business to be able to easily deploy security policies and monitor IT assets. You’ll be able to schedule maintenance tasks and roll out with a full set of solutions for basically anything you’ll want to do with your employees working with the TravelMate. Connect and make it work!
System – Acer TravelMate P243
Manufacturer
Acer
Product Type
Notebook
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
Motherboard
Acer BA40_HC
Processor
Intel Core i5-3210M
Processor ID
GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 58 Stepping 9
Processor Frequency
2.50 GHz
Processors
1
Threads
4
Cores
2
L1 Instruction Cache
32.0 KB
L1 Data Cache
32.0 KB
L2 Cache
256 KB
L3 Cache
3.00 MB
Memory
4.00 GB DDR3 SDRAM 666MHz
FSB
99.8 MHz
BIOS
Insyde Corp. V1.01
Benchmark
Have a peek at our standard benchmark readout here with Geekbench and take note that this should be more than enough of a processing beast to get you going throughout the day. Compared to gaming rigs and high-powered notebooks with no need to be transportable, this isn’t the biggest and the most beastly – but it’s certainly fine for your business needs.
Benchmark Score – Acer TravelMate P243
Section
Description
Score
Total Score
Windows x86 (64-bit) – Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
Integer
Processor integer performance
6197
7769
Floating Point
Processor floating point performance
11453
Memory
Memory performance
5718
Stream
Memory bandwidth performance
4482
Wrap-up
Acer TravelMate P243 is available in many Acer reseller stores across the USA right this minute in a couple different iterations. The one we’re using here will cost you right around $999 USD, while a much more conservatively powered iteration with a 2nd Gen i3 processor from Intel will run you around $599.99 USD. That’s the one you want if you only want the basics – don’t expect to do the big tasks there, but traveling around with it will be a perfectly good experience.
While its high pixel density mobile displays stole much of the attention at CEATEC 2012, Sharp also has tech destined for bigger screens like this “Moth Eye Panel” that Engadget Japanese took a look at during the show. Thanks to nanoscale irregularities on its surface similar to the eye of a moth it claims to give bright colors and high contrast while cutting down glare as seen above (moth eye panel on the left) The technology isn’t in use yet, but Sharp says the film has been produced in 60-, 70- and 80-inch sizes already, so if you thought the company’s extra large and Elite HDTVs couldn’t get any better, next year’s model will probably have at least one way to prove you wrong.
A group of engineers from Disney Research have crafted a new method to create interactive objects using 3D printers. Referred to as “printed optics,” the lure of this technology is the ability to transform inert 3D models into interactive subjects by embedding 3D printed light piping into an object with minimal electronic components. Illuminated by LEDs and mobile projectors, this new breakthrough in optics has the potential to replace LCD and LED screens to display information on smaller interactive devices. If you find yourself scratching your head trying to visualize such a mojo in action, then check out the video after the break. It will enlighten you.
While Vizio’s summer has been all about PCs, set-top Google TV boxes and even the odd ultrawidescreen HDTV, it’s getting back into its usual garb for the fall. As is its customs, it’s rolling out a few new HDTV models ahead of the big shopping season, which range in size from 55- to 70-inches. Other than the 58-inch CinemaWide ultra widescreen model there are also three representatives from its M-Series, with a 55-inch model for $949, and a 65-inch model that’s $1,699 with 3D and $1,499 without. The other two models are in its E-Series line, and are 2D only edge-lit LED sets that feature a new thin bezel / slim frame design. The 60-inch version is priced at $999, while the 70-inch goes for $1,999. They all include the Yahoo Widgets powered Vizio Internet Apps (Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Amazon etc.) and WiFi built in and most are already popping up on store shelves near you (just ask Logitech and Sling how that works), check out a bit more information in the press release after the break.
Forget Retina display: Sharp’s new 5-inch, 1080p LCD panels have come out to wow at CEATEC, and at 443ppi they already have us looking at our current phones with disappointment and disgust. Announced yesterday, and set to hit mass production imminently, the new smartphone screens also use advanced CG-Silicon technology to cut down on how many layers are involved in the display sandwich.
Fewer layers mean the image appears closer to the top level of glass. There’s no touch layer in place yet – this is display-only right now – but we can already picture just how vivid and bright the Sharp panels will be when paired with advanced optical lamination touchscreen bonding technology.
Sharp is keeping its customer details close to its chest, and the company wouldn’t say who it was talking with regarding actually putting the new 5-inch display into products. Although the company is already an Apple supplier, right now the Cupertino firm doesn’t have a 5-inch device in its range (and the much-rumored iPad mini is expected to be larger than that).
Still, whoever ends up with this new LCD is getting an impressive screen indeed. Just running through some demos of video playback and mapping showed how useful high-resolution graphics can be on a mobile device.
Sharp announced yesterday the mass production of a new IGZO based SC-Silicon full HD 5″ display in Japan, and today we finally had the chance to see this wonder in the flesh, and oh my! This gonna make some cry! I always had the utmost respect for Sharp when it comes to Display and its imaging technology and this new 5″ screen is no excpetion! Colors are stunning, confortable view angle and will fit perfectly in most Tablet or Smartphone with touch capacity! Yep I am in love and I …
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