Toshiba Develops 21-inch Autostereoscopic

Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd. has developed a 21-inch autostereoscopic high-definition display for use in 3D monitors that enables the user to enjoy 3D images without the need for special glasses.

To date most 3D products have used special glasses to separate a picture into two images: one for the left eye and the other for the right eye. But the market has strongly desired a more versatile and glasses-free approach that could be used anywhere. This new product employs an integral imaging system (a "light field" display) to reproduce a real object as a 3D image that can be viewed without glasses over a wide range of viewing angles. Therefore, the display is suitable for 3D monitors used for advertisements and entertainment appliances.

Specifications

• 3-D method: Integral imaging system with 9-parallax design
• Screen size (diagonal): 21-inch/53.3 cm
• Number of 3D pixels: 1,280 (horizontal) x 800 (vertical) / WXGA
• 3D viewing zone (typical): ±15 degrees (horizontal)
• Surface intensity (typical): 480 cd/m2

Earth View Now Available in Google Maps

Google Maps features Earth view, Google announced today.

Google Maps users can now swoop down from space to explore their favorite parts of the planet in 3D. Earth view offers a three-dimensional perspective which lets users experience mountains in detail, 3D buildings, and first-person dives beneath the ocean.

Using Earth view in Google Maps is similar to using Google Earth. Users can


- fly to the location of their choice - zoom, pan and tilt using the navigation tools on the left side of the screen
- explore 3D buildings and terrain
- search for businesses and get directions

To access Earth view, users simply click the new "Earth" button in Google Maps. If they do not yet have the Google Earth Plugin downloaded, they will be prompted to do so the first time they click the button.

Because Earth view is built right into Google Maps, users can toggle between Map, Satellite, and Earth views, making it simple to switch between a cartographic view, a top-down satellite view, or a 3D perspective using Earth view.

Earth view uses the same technology that powers the Google Earth desktop application. Google built the new feature on the Google Earth API and browser plugin
, tools that make it easy for web developers to include Google Earth in their own web sites.

To learn more about Earth view visit maps.google.com/earthview.

Samsung announced 9000 series of full HD 3D LED TV

Samsung today officially announced its 9000 series of full HD 3D LED TV, the world thinnest 3D TV
featuring a thickness of just 7.98mm.

Samsung has applied stainless metal materials to the back of the TV as well as to the border, coupled with curved edges.

The company's 7000 series was 26.5mm thick. The 8000 is even thiner at 23.9mm, while the upcoming 9000 series will be just 7.98mm thick, Samsung said.

The new TV features touch pad controls, which automatically sliding into the TV's metal metal stand when the automatic sensor on the TV detects no movement.

The 9000 Series come equipped with a premium 3-inch color touch-screen remote control - which features a live feed of the channel you're currently watching. The full touch-screen remote control comes complete with an earphone jack and Twin View, which lets you watch TV or Blu-ray DVD titles on the remote or TV at the same time. The remote includes Allshare and a QWERTY keyboard, and at 2.4 Ghz, its integrated Wi-Fi and infrared technology controls the TV, STB and AV devices with on-screen buttons.

The new model is employing Samsung's exclusive true 240Hz technology. The technology delivers full-HD viewing in 2D, and also smooth full-HD 3D images. By incorporating true 240Hz technology, operating at 240 frames per second, Samsung's panels promise to deliver a more lifelike picture with alternating left and right eye images through the use of 3D Active Glasses technology.

The 9000 series also poses Samsung's built-in 3D processor and emitter that enable compatibility with multiple 3D standards.

USB 2.0 ports are also available allowing users to directly record content to an external storage device. The 9000 come with Internet@TV connectivity which includes Samsung Apps, allowing users, with internet access or a wireless network with our Link Stick (or similar), to download and view applications on their TV screens. Samsung Apps provides consumers content and applications from services like The Associated Press, Netflix, Pandora, Twitter, USA TODAY, and VUDU. Last but not least, the new TVs support the DLNA function.

The 55-inch (139cm) 9000 series will ship globally in May. A full-package (3D Blu-ray Player, 3D Glasses, Internet demonstration equipment) will be priced at 9,900,000 won. ($8,920).

Samsung's managing Director Kim, Kyung-hun said, "This is a product that we have pursued to make best in design, function and performance. With technological partnership with overseas firms, we will try to accomplish sales volume of 3D TV similar to LED TV last year." The maker became successful by selling 2.5 million units of LED TV last year which went beyond market survey agencies expectations.

Dell Lightning Windows Phone 7 device Leak

The documents also include information and pictures about the "Thunder", an Android 2.1 device with a 4.1-inch WVGA screen. Dell's document also claims this has Flash 10.1 along with a mention of an "integrated web video Hulu app." The phone will be sold in AT&T and world-friendly HSDPA versions around Q4 of this year.

Dell's "Smoke" is running Android Froyo atop a 2.8-inch QVGA display. It has a QWERTY keyboard and it is powered by a Qualcomm's next-gen MSM7230 processor at 800MHz, has a 5 megapixel autofocus cam, 14.4Mbps HSPA, microSD expansion to 32GB, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and dual-mic noise canceling technology.

Engadget also posted information about Dell tablet/slate devices including the 7" and 10" varieties called Streak. The seven-inch one will be based on Nvidia's Tegra 2 platform and will run Android 2.1 OS.

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