3D devices

Sharp plans to launch their new e-reader in the fall in Japan, and in US by the end of 2010. It will probably have a color LCD, and "the potential for 3D down the line". In fact, Sharp's President Mikio Katayama claims to have witnessed great enthusiasm for 3D -- particularly when it comes to games -- and posits it as a likely future direction for this new ebook reader. Here's a 10.8" prototype they shown us a month ago:

Sharp are already making small (3.4") glasses-free 3D displays, are working on a mobile phone with a 3D display, 3D camera modules, and 3D TVs. So it's not surprising that they're also thinking of using 3D in their tablet/e-readers.

Update: We have a photo of the camcorder and mobile TV... it seems that the camcorder is a rebadge of Aiptek's i2.

ViewSonic is set to introduce several new devices that support 3D. There will be a 3D digital camcorder (supporting 720p video) with an integrated 3D display that will cost around £199 (about $300). They will also have a handheld 3D TV, we do not know the size of this one yet. Finally they'll introduce a digital camera and photo frame, both supporting 3D.

ViewSonic will show all these upcoming gadgets at IFA 2010 (September 3rd).

Sharp plans to launch a smart phone that has a 3D panel that does not require glasses, which will probably use their 3.4" (480x854) touch-enabled parallax-barrier LCD announced back in April (pictured below). The phone will also likely to have a 3D camera - Sharp will soon start producing their HD (720p) 3D camera module for mobile devices.

The phone will launch in 'worldwide', although they do not specify which countries exactly.

Aiptek has announced their 3D photo/video frame a few weeks ago, and now we have more details: The 3D frame will cost $199, and will ship on August 15th. You can pre-order it now from Amazon.com. It uses a 7" parallax LCD display, so you do not need glasses to view the 3D images. You can view photos that you have captured on your 3D camcorder - such as the Aiptek's i2, which also costs $199.99, and will ship on August 15th as well.). You can also use the included software to convert 2D images to 3D ones.

Pre-order the Aiptek 3D photo/video display now from Amazon.com for $199.99.

Nintendo says that while the 3DS does not have any health issues, it should be kept away from very small children because the new 3D display could be hard on their young eyes. "That's because, [in] young children, the muscles for the eyes are not fully formed" says Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime.

Via The Escapist

Nintendo has officially launched the 3DS mobile game console. It has two display. The top is a 3.53" 3D display (800x240 for 2D images, 400x240 for 3D) that does not require glasses. The bottom display is a 3.02" touch LCD. You can control the depth of the 3D effect via a slider so it fits the distance from which you're viewing it (you can also turn it off completely). The 3DS also includes a 3D camera on the bottom (and a regular camera on the front). Nintendo still haven't revealed the price or release date.

Engadget has posted a hands-on preview (and another one here, and a video which we embedded below). Here's what they say on the 3D display: "The main thing with the system is that if you aren't looking straight on at the screen, you'll lose the 3D effect. There's a slight blip in image when you cross over that plane, but it's pretty easy to get back into the 3D range. We'd like to see what it's like on a bumpy subway ride, but the jostles of gaming aren't enough to knock us out too frequently. The screen itself is very high quality, and while it's just the slightest bit brighter and cleaner with 3D turned off (that 3D depth slider comes in handy for customizing the experience) it takes nowhere near the hit in brightness that you get with 3D glasses. Our one other qualm might be the tendency of blacks to get a bit metallic at slightly off angles."

There are reports that the upcoming Nintendo 3DS might include a 3D camera - that will enable 3D photos and videos... There sure is a lot of hype about the 3DS, it'll be great to finally get the company to unveil this console...