Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sharp reportedly getting cozy with Hon Hai Precision, helping to make phone and tablet LCDs in Chengdu]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/sharp-reportedly-helping-hon-hai-precision-mobile-displays/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/sharp-reportedly-helping-hon-hai-precision-mobile-displays/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/sharp-reportedly-helping-hon-hai-precision-mobile-displays/#comments Hon Hai factory

If we believe Japan's Nikkei, the decision by Hon Hai Precision Industry (that is, Foxconn's daddy) to buy a stake in Sharp was really just the start of a long, torrid love affair in LCD production. While Hon Hai is getting the rosy side of the deal for Sharp's TV-oriented Sakai plant, it's now thought to be paying Sharp for display technology that would go into a new factory in Chengdu for small- and medium-sized LCDs used for smartphones and tablets. If all dovetails as nicely as the two would like, the joint venture would see advanced mobile displays manufactured on the cheap -- the best of both worlds. Suffice it to say that there's a few companies that might be interested, as clients like Apple are no strangers to Chengdu. Before you let visions of IGZO-based LCDs on every iPad and iPhone dance through your head, though, remember that neither Hon Hai nor Sharp has confirmed anything -- and that the plant wouldn't be up and running until 2013 at the earliest, even if everything's in sync.

Sharp reportedly getting cozy with Hon Hai Precision, helping to make phone and tablet LCDs in Chengdu originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple ipadapple iphoneAppleIpadAppleIphonecellphonecellphoneschengdudisplaydisplaysfactoryfoxconnhon haihon hai precisionhon hai precision industryHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionHonHaiPrecisionIndustryigzoindium gallium zinc oxideIndiumGalliumZincOxideipadiphonelcdmanufacturingplantscreenscreenssharpsmartphonesmartphonestablettablet pctablet pcsTabletPcTabletPcstabletsThu, 24 May 2012 15:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony formally quits Sharp LCD joint venture, takes back every yen it invested]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/sony-sharp-lcd-joint-venture-finished/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/sony-sharp-lcd-joint-venture-finished/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/24/sony-sharp-lcd-joint-venture-finished/#comments Sony formally quits Sharp LCD joint venture, takes back every yen it invested

After Sony cut off its supply of capital to the ill-fated Sakai production plant that it jointly owns with Sharp, it became clear that the final goodbye may be little more than a formality. And here it is, in the form of a cold, resolute press release stating that Sony is selling its seven percent stake back to Sharp and taking back the 10 billion yen ($126 million) it originally invested. The only reason given is the "rapidly changing market for LCD panels and LCD televisions," which is a polite reference to the fact that profits from big TVs are well below what these companies predicted back in the heady days of 2008 and early 2009, when the impact of the global economic crisis loomed without yet being fully apparent. Fortunately for Sony, which is in the delicate stages of reform, the solid pre-nuptial agreement it had in place with Sharp should protect the company from having to revise its financial forecasts for the coming year -- not that those were particularly great in the first place.

Continue reading Sony formally quits Sharp LCD joint venture, takes back every yen it invested

Sony formally quits Sharp LCD joint venture, takes back every yen it invested originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2012 03:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economic crisisEconomicCrisishdpostminiindustryjapanjoint ventureJointVenturelcdlcd panelLcdPanelmanufacturingsakaisharesharessharpsonystakeThu, 24 May 2012 03:04:00 EST<![CDATA[NHK working on Hybridcast interactive TV platform (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/nhk-hybridcast/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/nhk-hybridcast/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/23/nhk-hybridcast/#comments Image

NHK is working on Hybridcast (an entirely different system to the Hybridcast 3D-delivery setup it demonstrated last year), a system that uses the internet to make vanilla TV broadcasts interactive. It works by pushing HTML5 overlays to your tablet and TV, so you can play along with quiz shows or follow a travelogue from the comfort of your couch. The company is planning to build a set-top-box with the technology ready for sale next year, with integrated TVs hoped to arrive from Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sharp and Mitsubishi shortly afterward. You can see what the residents of Japan can expect by watching the video after the break.

Continue reading NHK working on Hybridcast interactive TV platform (video)

NHK working on Hybridcast interactive TV platform (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 May 2012 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BroadcastBroadcastsDiginfoDiginfo NewsDiginfoNewshdpostcrossHTML5HybridcastInteractiveInterative TVInterativeTvJapanMitsubishiNHKNHK HybridcastNhkHybridcastPanasonicQuiz ShowQuizShowSecond ScreenSecondScreenSharpSonyStatsTabletToshibaTVTV BroadcastsTvBroadcastsvideoWed, 23 May 2012 07:32:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone was Japan's best-selling smartphone in 2011, Android more than comfy as well]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/iphone-was-bestselling-japan-smartphone-in-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/iphone-was-bestselling-japan-smartphone-in-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/iphone-was-bestselling-japan-smartphone-in-2011/#comments MMRI phone market share in Japan for 2011

It's deemed likely that Apple had the top-selling cellphone in Japan this past fall, but how did it do in all of 2011? Quite well, if you go by MMRI's estimates. The iPhone had 30 percent (almost 7.3 million) of the Land of the Rising Sun's 24.2 million sales among individual smartphone labels, or nearly double Sharp's 17.5 percent. Don't think that Android-powered smartphones like the Aquos SH-12C didn't make an impact, though: virtually every other smartphone in Japan, 69 percent, was running some flavor of Google's mobile OS. Apple managed to shake up a sometimes insular overall keitai market as well, having come just short of Fujitsu for the top spot in all cellphones. Researchers are expecting the smartphone space in Japan to grow by a healthy 15 percent in 2012, although it's still a wildcard as to whether or not KDDI's iPhone support will keep Apple riding high for another year.

iPhone was Japan's best-selling smartphone in 2011, Android more than comfy as well originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAppleApple iPhoneAppleIphoneaquosfujitsugooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidiphoneJapanjapanesekddikddi auKddiAukeitaimarket shareMarketSharemmrimobilepostcrosssharpSharp AQUOSSharpAquosThu, 10 May 2012 17:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp Cocorobo vacuum avoids obstacles, embraces small talk]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/sharp-cocorobo-vacuum-avoids-obstacles-embraces-small-talk/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/sharp-cocorobo-vacuum-avoids-obstacles-embraces-small-talk/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/08/sharp-cocorobo-vacuum-avoids-obstacles-embraces-small-talk/#comments Image

With iRobot cleaning up in the robotic vacuum game, it's only logical that some major manufacturers like LG and Samsung want a piece of the dirt sucking action. Sharp has gotten into the game as well -- though the company's 'bot goes the extra mile for cleanliness. Cocorobo TX-V100 has voice recognition functionality and will happily talk back, courtesy of its "voice communication," which includes phrases like the ominous "I understand." The little floor cleaning disk also has infrared sensors for avoiding obstacles and a built-in camera, so you can observe your sparking abode from a carpet view while you're out. Cocorobo will be invading Japanese households this June. Check out a video of the 'bot in action after the break.

Continue reading Sharp Cocorobo vacuum avoids obstacles, embraces small talk

Sharp Cocorobo vacuum avoids obstacles, embraces small talk originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botcameracleancocoroborobotrobotic vacuumRoboticVacuumsharpvacuumvideowifiTue, 08 May 2012 10:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp posts $1.4 billion extraordinary loss, refocuses on mobile displays]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/sharp-fy-2012-loss/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/sharp-fy-2012-loss/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/27/sharp-fy-2012-loss/#comments Sharp posts $1.4 billion extraordinary loss for 2011 - 2012, sees writing on wall in high definitionSharp has reported an extraordinary loss of 117.1 billion yen ($1.4 billion) for the financial year ending March 2012. The company has cited restructuring costs and inventory losses as the causes for the write-down, but also projected that its TV business would lose a further 18.7 percent of its projected sales in the current year. The company has decided to convert some of its big-screen LCD production lines into mobile LCDs as it tries to reassert its dwindling display business. It's yet more bad news after the company sold part of its LCD manufacturing business to Hon Hai, Sony withdrew from a joint venture and refused to deal with Sharp in the future, plus an 86 percent collapse in profits.

Continue reading Sharp posts $1.4 billion extraordinary loss, refocuses on mobile displays

Sharp posts $1.4 billion extraordinary loss, refocuses on mobile displays originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011BusinessCellphone DisplaysCellphoneDisplaysEarningsFinancialsFY 2011Fy 2012Fy2011Fy2012hdpostcrossHon HaiHon Hai PrecisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionLCDLCD PanelsLcdPanelsLossMobile DisplayMobileDisplayPaul MoleyneuxPaulMoleyneuxSharpSharp ElectronicsSharp Electronics EuropeSharpElectronicsSharpElectronicsEuropeSonyTVYenFri, 27 Apr 2012 04:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp readying 1/2.3-inch, 20.2-megapixel CCD destined for noisy point-and-shoots]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/sharp-readying-1-2-3-inch-20-2-megapixel-ccd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/sharp-readying-1-2-3-inch-20-2-megapixel-ccd/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/sharp-readying-1-2-3-inch-20-2-megapixel-ccd/#comments Sharp readying 1/2.3-inch, 20.2-megapixel CCD destined for noisy point-and-shoots

As you probably know, megapixels aren't everything. In fact, the more of them you cram into a smaller space, the noisier your images will be. So, you'll forgive us if we don't exactly shout from the mountain tops that Sharp has managed to stick a whopping 20.2 megapixels into a CCD only 1/2.3 inches in size. That does, however, give the RJ23G3BA0LT the highest pixel count in that size range. That's gotta count for something, right?

Sharp readying 1/2.3-inch, 20.2-megapixel CCD destined for noisy point-and-shoots originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20 megapixel20.2 megapixel20.2Megapixel20MegapixelcameracamerasCCDimage sensorImageSensorminipostRJ23G3BA0LTsensorSharpTue, 17 Apr 2012 16:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp rolls out high-res IGZO LCDs destined for tablets, laptops and monitors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/14/sharp-rolls-out-high-res-igzo-lcds-destined-for-tablets-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/14/sharp-rolls-out-high-res-igzo-lcds-destined-for-tablets-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/14/sharp-rolls-out-high-res-igzo-lcds-destined-for-tablets-laptops/#comments Sharp rolls out high-res IGZO LCDs destined for tablets, laptops and monitorsWell, a week (or two) is a long time in the technology industry, and despite that joint venture with Sony heading south, it's not all bad news for Sharp. According to a press release from the panel maker, it has begun production of the world's first screens based on IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) technology. These screens are said to promise twice the detail as existing panels of similar transparency, which also translates into a hefty 90 percent reduction in power consumption, reports PC World. Sharp did kindly share some sample specifications, such as a 7-inch tablet display touting a 1280 x 800 resolution equaling 217 ppi, and a 32-inch 3840 x 2160 screen at 140 ppi, to give you an idea of what we can expect. There's no indication yet as to any devices where we might see them showing up, but as the firm claims it's ramping up production "to meet market demand" we guess we'll find out soon enough...

Continue reading Sharp rolls out high-res IGZO LCDs destined for tablets, laptops and monitors

Sharp rolls out high-res IGZO LCDs destined for tablets, laptops and monitors originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>displayHDhd screenshdpostcrossHdScreensIGZOigzo panelIgzoPanelPanel ProductionPanelProductionscreenssharpSharp PanelsSharpPanelsSat, 14 Apr 2012 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT, Sharp, Gainax make a Japan-only Neon Genesis Evangelion phone, get your plane tickets now]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/evangelion-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/evangelion-phone/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/evangelion-phone/#comments ImageImage
If someone offered you the chance to buy a Neon Genesis Evangelion NERV-branded phone, you'd jump at it right? After all, there's nothing better than pretending you live under constant threat of alien attack, or that the teenage clone of your dead mother could turn into a giant and... moving on. Sharp, NTT DoCoMo and Gainax teamed up to produce this SH-O6D with a custom case, new hardware buttons and a (as yet unfinished) skinned version of Gingerbread that resembles the readouts you're likely to see in the depths of Tokyo-3. See America? This is how you appeal to fans, by making the tiniest amount of extra effort, rather than just slapping a logo on the bottom of whatever regular handset you're selling.

Continue reading NTT, Sharp, Gainax make a Japan-only Neon Genesis Evangelion phone, get your plane tickets now

NTT, Sharp, Gainax make a Japan-only Neon Genesis Evangelion phone, get your plane tickets now originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 06:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrandingEvaEvangelionGainaxmobilepostminiMovie Tie-InMovieTie-inNeon Genesis EvangelionNeonGenesisEvangelionNERVNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoSH-06DSharpSharp SH-06DSharpSh-06dSharpSh-o6dTue, 03 Apr 2012 06:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony and Sharp joint venture hits a rocky patch, Sony cuts off capital]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/sony-and-sharp-joint-venture-hits-a-rocky-patch-sony-cuts-off-c/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/sony-and-sharp-joint-venture-hits-a-rocky-patch-sony-cuts-off-c/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/28/sony-and-sharp-joint-venture-hits-a-rocky-patch-sony-cuts-off-c/#comments Sharp PlantWhen Sharp sold off some of its LCD manufacturing business to Hon Hai Precision we knew the company had fallen on tough times, we just didn't realize how bad things truly were. That joint venture it formed with Sony, well, it's all but over at this point. The two companies have amended their deal with each other and Sony has decided not to inject any more capital into the project. That's not entirely surprising since the relationship was already starting to show signs of strain, but the partnership could crumble at any moment. A study period has been designated, through the end of September, to decide what the future holds for the two regarding the production and purchase of large panel LCDs, but at any time Sony can simply demand that Sharp buy back its shares and leave the venture. For Sharp's sake, we certainly hope Hon Hai is in this for the long haul. Check out the legalese stuffed PR after the break.

Continue reading Sony and Sharp joint venture hits a rocky patch, Sony cuts off capital

Sony and Sharp joint venture hits a rocky patch, Sony cuts off capital originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesshdpostminihon haihon hai precisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionindustryjoint ventureJointVentureSharpSharp Display ProductsSharpDisplayProductsSonyWed, 28 Mar 2012 18:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Hon Hai Precision snaps up 10 percent of Sharp in display tie-up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/hon-hai-precision-sharp-display-partnership/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/hon-hai-precision-sharp-display-partnership/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/27/hon-hai-precision-sharp-display-partnership/#comments ImageFor those unaware, going at it alone in the cutthroat display business isn't exactly a recommended business approach. To wit, Sharp -- once a mainstay in the LCD industry -- has just sold an approximate 10 percent stake of itself to Taiwan's Hon Hai Group. Sharp will be issuing new shares worth $808 million to Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., and we're told that it'll go down as the largest investment ever in a Japanese company by a Taiwanese one. Moreover, Hon Hai will grab half of Sharp's 92.96 percent stake in its LCD panel factory in Sakai, Japan. Though it may not be obvious, seeing Sharp accept this fate is hugely symbolic, and it's happening just as the company gets ready to eat "multibillion-dollar losses" for this fiscal year -- which just so happens to be the 100th anniversary of its founding. Sharp executive managing officer Takashi Okuda said this during a news conference in Tokyo: "We have tried to do everything by ourselves, but the environment is tough." Here's hoping for a better tomorrow, though.

Continue reading Hon Hai Precision snaps up 10 percent of Sharp in display tie-up

Hon Hai Precision snaps up 10 percent of Sharp in display tie-up originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebusinessdealhdpostcrosshon haiHon Hai PrecisionHonHaiHonHaiPrecisionindustrypartnerpartnershipsharpTue, 27 Mar 2012 11:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp's bigger and better HDTVs for 2012 start hitting store shelves]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/sharps-bigger-and-better-hdtvs-for-2012-start-hitting-store-she/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/sharps-bigger-and-better-hdtvs-for-2012-start-hitting-store-she/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/sharps-bigger-and-better-hdtvs-for-2012-start-hitting-store-she/#comments ImageRight on schedule, Sharp let us know it's begun shipments of Aquos 7-series LED HDTVs in 60- and 70-inch sizes. With MSRPs of $2,300 and $3,300, respectively, the 745U models have edge LED lighting, 3D, WiFi and SmartCentral UI built in featuring apps including Netflix, Hulu and Facebook. The 8-series models will bring the company's latest Quad Pixel Plus 2 Quattron tech when they start shipping towards the end of this month as well as full-array LED backlighting and an ultra-slim bezel design. Check after the break for sizes, specs and prices, and let us know if these models have shown up in your neck of the woods yet.

Continue reading Sharp's bigger and better HDTVs for 2012 start hitting store shelves

Sharp's bigger and better HDTVs for 2012 start hitting store shelves originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20123d3dtv80-inchedge litEdgeLithdpostminihdtvLC-60LE745ULC-60LE847ULC-70LE745ULC-70LE847ULC-80LE844Ulcdledpricingquad pixelQuadPixelquattronsharpsmart centralSmartCentralwifiTue, 20 Mar 2012 23:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp intros underwhelming RW-T110 Gingerbread tablet with NFC, not much else on board]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/sharp-rw-t110-android-tablet-with-nfc/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/sharp-rw-t110-android-tablet-with-nfc/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/sharp-rw-t110-android-tablet-with-nfc/#comments Sharp intros underwhelming RW-T110 Gingerbread tablet with NFC, not much else on board
Last year, we saw Sharp bust out an array of 7-inch Android slates, including that NFC-packing RW-T107. Now, the Japanese company is adding a slightly larger member to the family, dubbed RW-T110. This 10.1-inch Gingerbread slab (sorry, Ice Creamers) is sporting a 1GHz TI OMAP processor alongside 1GB of RAM, 8GB of onboard storage, a 1280 x 800 display as well as an NFC chip. Additionally, the biz-oriented slate is powered by a 6,240mAh battery, which promises to get you up to nine hours of continuous video payback time. The RW-T110 will be hitting Japanese shelves on March 27th, and while there's no info on whether Sharp plans to launch it in other markets, we doubt you'll miss this run-of-the-mill "Big Pad."

Sharp intros underwhelming RW-T110 Gingerbread tablet with NFC, not much else on board originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10.1-inch10.1-inch tablet10.1-inchTabletandroidandroid gingerbreadandroid tabletAndroidGingerbreadAndroidTabletgingerbreadnfcnfc tabletNfcTabletrw-t110sharpsharp rw-t110sharp tabletSharpRw-t110SharpTabletslateslatestablettabletsMon, 19 Mar 2012 16:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp executive officer Takashi Okuda to take over as president next month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/sharp-executive-officer-takashi-okuda-to-take-over-as-president/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/sharp-executive-officer-takashi-okuda-to-take-over-as-president/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/14/sharp-executive-officer-takashi-okuda-to-take-over-as-president/#comments In a move similar to the ones seen at fellow struggling Japanese electronics giants Sony and Panasonic, Sharp has announced a change at the top, swapping out president Mikio Katayama (kicked upstairs to the position of Director, Chairman) for current executive officer Takashi Okuda. The move will go into effect April 1st, giving him the keys after a fiscal year 2012 to forget comes to an end. According to his biography he's been with the company since 1978, although your guess is as good as ours about what he can do to turn around the company's fortunes -- although getting that 8K Super Hi-Vision LCD into production ASAP would be a great start.

Sharp executive officer Takashi Okuda to take over as president next month originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>executivehdpostcrossmobilepostcrossPanasonic CorporationpresidentSci/TechsharpSony Corptakashi okudaTakashiOkudaWed, 14 Mar 2012 04:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Super High Aperture: it's why the new iPad's Retina display is so dense]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/super-high-aperture-new-ipad-retina-display/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/super-high-aperture-new-ipad-retina-display/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/12/super-high-aperture-new-ipad-retina-display/#commentsSuper High Aperture. Heard of it? Probably not, but thanks to Apple, you'll probably long for days when you didn't in just a few months. According to an in-depth look from the folks at DisplaySearch, the aforesaid technique is the primary reason that Apple was able to shove 2,048 x 1,536 pixels into the 9.7-inch panel on the new iPad. Not surprisingly, it wasn't Apple that conjured up the magic; instead, it was crafted by engineers at Sharp and JSR (a display materials maker from Japan), but it'll be the iPad that makes an otherwise geeky achievement something that the mainstream covets. According to the science behind it, SHA is "a method of increasing aperture ratio by applying approximately a 3 [micrometer] thick photo-definable acrylic resin layer to planarize the device and increase the vertical gap between the [indium tin oxide] pixel electrodes and signal lines." Reportedly, there are also "at least twice as many" LEDs in the panel compared to that on the iPad 2, further suggesting that there's way more battery within the new guy than the last. Technophiles need only dig into the links below to find plenty more where this came from.

Super High Aperture: it's why the new iPad's Retina display is so dense originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple new ipadAppleNewIpaddisplayipadipad 3ipad hdIpad3IpadHdIPSJSRnew ipadNewIpadpanelretinaretina displayRetinaDisplaySHAsharpSuper High ApertureSuperHighAperturetouch paneltouch screenTouchPanelTouchScreenMon, 12 Mar 2012 05:43:00 EST<![CDATA[IDC: iPhone becomes top-selling cellphone in Japan over the Fall quarter, gives Sharp a run for its money]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/iphone-top-selling-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/iphone-top-selling-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/09/iphone-top-selling-japan/#comments
Think the iPhone is popular in the States? Well, the device is taking off in Asia as well. Based on a report from research firm IDC Japan, Apple snagged the largest share of mobile phone shipments in the country for the quarter at 26.6%, ending the market dominance of local manufacturers. Popularity of the iPhone 4S rose during the period from October to December and propelled the device maker past Fujitsu / Toshiba's mark of 18.3% and third place Sharp, coming in at 15.7%. Sharp still owned the top spot for 2011, though, with 20.1% of total shipments while Apple finished the year third with 14.2%. For more stats on the Japanese smartphone market, hit the source link below to read on.

IDC: iPhone becomes top-selling cellphone in Japan over the Fall quarter, gives Sharp a run for its money originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapple iphoneAppleIphonecellphonecellphonesfujitsuiphonejapanmobilepostcrosssharpshipmentssmartphonesmartphonestop sellingTopSellingtoshibaFri, 09 Mar 2012 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp working with Japanese government on Home Energy Management System standard (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/sharp-working-with-japanese-government-on-home-energy-management/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/sharp-working-with-japanese-government-on-home-energy-management/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/06/sharp-working-with-japanese-government-on-home-energy-management/#comments Sharp HEMSSharp is partnering, not with another major player in the consumer electronics field but, with the Japanese government to create a standard based on its Home Energy Management System or HEMS. The platform allows users to not only monitor their energy consumption, but also reduce their electrical burden through home automation tools. With the aid of a tablet or smartphone, home owners can dim lighting and televisions or control thermostats, while monitoring how such changes affect energy consumption in real time. Sharp plans offer the system commercially with a router and WiFi modules that sit between appliances and your electrical outlet. The next step is getting regulators to agree to the standard so that non-Sharp products can become part of the ecosystem. Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Sharp working with Japanese government on Home Energy Management System standard (video)

Sharp working with Japanese government on Home Energy Management System standard (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>energy managementenergy monitorEnergyManagementEnergyMonitorgreenhemshome energy management systemHomeEnergyManagementSystemjapansharpsharp hemsSharpHemsstandardvideoTue, 06 Mar 2012 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp AQUOS SH-06D arrives from Japan, we go hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/sharp-aquos-sh-06d-arrives-from-japan-we-go-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/sharp-aquos-sh-06d-arrives-from-japan-we-go-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/sharp-aquos-sh-06d-arrives-from-japan-we-go-hands-on-video/#comments

Sharp's AQUOS SH-06D will most probably never leave the Land of The Rising Sun. That doesn't stop us, however, from lusting after its 4.5-inch screen. This 720p display also manages 3D, spread across a slinky 10mm frame that houses NTT DoCoMo's recently launched NOTTV streaming broadcast system. The device arrives in pink, white and blue options -- all provided with a matching dock and built-in aerial. Like several eastern phones with the ability to tune into live TV broadcasts, the AQUOS SH-06D also totes its own extendable antenna built into the side. The device itself, despite its largely plastic build, felt solid in our hand, although the minuscule power and volume buttons proved difficult to manipulate at times. The screen technology is still a closely guarded secret, but it aims to bring both 3D functionality alongside a crisp HD display performance during two-dimensional antics. Viewing angles are great -- a welcome trend we've seen on plenty of handsets at this year's MWC -- but the heavily customized Android 2.3 skin took away some of that sheen. Applications are stowed away into several drop-down menus that took some getting used to -- regardless of any language barrier. Sharp hasn't revealed any plans to join its Japanese competitors in the frenzied global smartphone market, but some import options wouldn't go amiss. See why in our hands-on right after the break.

Sean Cooper contributed to this report

Gallery: Sharp AQUOS SH-06D hands-on

Continue reading Sharp AQUOS SH-06D arrives from Japan, we go hands-on (video)

Sharp AQUOS SH-06D arrives from Japan, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAndroid 2.3Android2.3AQUOS SH-06DAquosSh-06dDoCoMoGingerbreadGooglemobilepostcrossmwcmwc 2012Mwc2012nottvNTTNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoSH-06DSharpSharp AQUOS SH-06DSharpAquosSh-06dvideoWed, 29 Feb 2012 15:09:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC Fridays: February 10, 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/fcc-fridays/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/fcc-fridays/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/10/fcc-fridays/#comments
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there individually, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!

Continue reading FCC Fridays: February 10, 2012

FCC Fridays: February 10, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acro hdAcroHdblublu charlestonblu productsBluCharlestonBluProductscellonfccfcc fridaysFccFridaysfffridaysgalaxy popgalaxy smart playerGalaxyPopGalaxySmartPlayerhtchtc radarHtcRadarkddilglteminipostnokianokia rm 833NokiaRm833novatelnovatel wirelessNovatelWirelessntt docomoNttDocomopcdregulationrm833samsungsharpsonysony ericssonsony xperiaSonyEricssonSonyXperiaverizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessvzwxperiaxperia acro hdXperiaAcroHdzteFri, 10 Feb 2012 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[2012 HDTV pricing leaks out for Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/2012-hdtv-pricing-leaks-out-for-panasonic-sony-sharp-and-samsu/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/2012-hdtv-pricing-leaks-out-for-panasonic-sony-sharp-and-samsu/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/09/2012-hdtv-pricing-leaks-out-for-panasonic-sony-sharp-and-samsu/#comments The madness of CES 2012 is long over and now that we've seen all of the new HDTVs, it's time to find out when they're actually going on sale, and for how much. HDGuru has just dug up advertised pricing for some of the new models from Sony (BX, EX and HX lines) and Sharp (640, 745, 844, 847 and 945), while US pricing and ship dates for Panasonic's new plasmas have been revealed by Value Electronics. For Samsung, some of the new HDTVs have already showed up for preorders at retailers like Vanns, including the top of the line 75-inch ES8000 priced at $7,999, while a more reasonably sized 46-inch model is $2,699. Sony's prices range from $399 for the KDL-32BX320 to $2299 for the KDL-55HX750, while Sharp's range from LC-46-L540U for $1,099 to the LC-80LE844U for $6,499. Most of the ship dates are still TBA, although Panasonic is planning to unleash the ST50 later this month, followed by the UT50 and GT50, then the top of the line VT50 in May. While we wait for official announcements, you can hit the source links below for more details, and let us know if you've seen any other 2012 model information peeking out early.

2012 HDTV pricing leaks out for Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20123d3d tv3dtves8000Financegt50hdpostcrosshdtvkdl-55hx750LC-46-L540ULC-80LE844UlcdledpanasonicPanasonic CorporationplasmaquattronsamsungSci/Techsharpsonyst50UN46ES8000un75es8000ut50vt50Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic 2012 Q3: $9 billion loss, Sanyo writedowns, restructuring]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/panasonic-q3-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/panasonic-q3-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/panasonic-q3-2012/#comments Panasonic's released its 2012 quarterly report (its financial year runs from summer to summer) and concedes it's been as bad for them as it was for Sony and Sharp. It's blaming the Japanese Earthquake for damaging its supply chain, a strong yen for keeping prices high, plus having to write-down the costs for its acquisition of Sanyo. The company's promising to restructure (in the face of stern competition from Samsung and LG) to become a "green innovation" business as well as to streamline its operating costs. It's predicting a quarterly loss of $9.2 billion as it takes the hit for this turmoil, and it doesn't look like things will improve with an anticipated further loss of another $2 billion at the end of the (financial) year.

Continue reading Panasonic 2012 Q3: $9 billion loss, Sanyo writedowns, restructuring

Panasonic 2012 Q3: $9 billion loss, Sanyo writedowns, restructuring originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BusinessFinancialshdpostcrossPanasonicQ3 2012Q32012QuarterQuarterly ReportQuarterlyReportSanyoSharpSonyTVFri, 03 Feb 2012 05:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp struggles with TV competition, Q3 2011 results reveal 86 percent drop in profit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/sharp-struggles-with-tv-competition-q3-2011-results-reveal-86-p/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/sharp-struggles-with-tv-competition-q3-2011-results-reveal-86-p/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/sharp-struggles-with-tv-competition-q3-2011-results-reveal-86-p/#comments It's pretty tough out there for TV manufacturers. Sharp's reporting its financial results for April-December last year, announcing a profit of 9.14 billion yen ($120 million), a drop of 57.37 billion yen since the same period in 2010. Despite announcing a whole gang of new displays for the year, Sharp has cut its profit forecast correspondingly, down to zero for March 2012. According to Reuters, the company was expected to post healthier results, having recently finished a new manufacturing plant and apparently strong demand for its high-end AQUOS TVs, although it's perhaps not strong enough.

Sharp struggles with TV competition, Q3 2011 results reveal 86 percent drop in profit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialfinancialshdpostcrossJapanprofitq3 2011Q32011sharpTVWed, 01 Feb 2012 07:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp to cut LCD production in Osaka plant by half]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/sharp-to-cut-lcd-production-in-osaka-plant-by-half/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/sharp-to-cut-lcd-production-in-osaka-plant-by-half/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/01/sharp-to-cut-lcd-production-in-osaka-plant-by-half/#comments Sharp to cut LCD production in Osaka plant by halfRemember that brand-spanking new production facility in Sakai City, Osaka that Sharp just christened a few years back? Japan's Nikkei business daily reports that Sharp will be cutting output at that factory by a whopping half for a month or maybe longer -- its second major reduction in a year. The Sakai factory typically makes 1.3 million 40-inch panels per month but was running at 80-90 percent capacity after being idled in April. Sharp continues to be impacted by the same cutthroat competition in the LCD market that has affected Japanese rivals like Hitachi and Sony as the high yen continues to push up pricing for domestically produced goods while dragging down overseas revenues. Sharp, which recently announced its 2012 lineup, is now thinking about reconfiguring the plant to make panels with higher resolutions and other features during the slowdown.

Sharp to cut LCD production in Osaka plant by half originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10ghdpostcrosshdpostminihdtvjapanlcdlcd manufacturinglcd panelLcdManufacturingLcdPanelmanufacturingoutputpanel manufacturingPanelManufacturingplantsakaisakai citySakaiCitysharpslowdownWed, 01 Feb 2012 02:48:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC Fridays: January 27, 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/fcc-fridays-january-27-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/fcc-fridays-january-27-2012/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/fcc-fridays-january-27-2012/#comments FCC Fridays: January 27, 2012
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!

Continue reading FCC Fridays: January 27, 2012

FCC Fridays: January 27, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fccfcc fridayfcc fridaysFccFridayFccFridaysfffridayshuaweilgminipostmotomotorolaregulatorys7500samsungsamsung I9070samsung s7500samsung S7500LSamsungI9070SamsungS7500SamsungS7500lsharpsonysony ericssonsony xperia sSonyEricssonSonyXperiaSxperia sXperiaSFri, 27 Jan 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC Fridays: January 20, 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/fcc-fridays/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/fcc-fridays/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/20/fcc-fridays/#comments
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!

Continue reading FCC Fridays: January 20, 2012

FCC Fridays: January 20, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcatelalcatel onetouchAlcatelOnetouchattATT galaxy noteAttGalaxyNotebluduraplusemporia telecomEmporiaTelecomgalaxy notegalaxy s iiGalaxyNoteGalaxySIihuaweiinfomarkkyocerakyocera duraplusKyoceraDurapluslglg connect 4glg ls696lg vs840LgConnect4gLgLs696LgVs840ls696minipostMotorolamotorola defyMotorolaDefyNEConetouchsamsung galaxy notesamsung i717SamsungGalaxyNoteSamsungI717sharpsprintus cellularUsCellularFri, 20 Jan 2012 23:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp 8K Super Hi-Vision LCD, 4K TV and Freestyle wireless LCD HDTV hands-on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sharp-8k-super-hi-vision-lcd-4k-tv-and-freestyle-wireless-lcd-h/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sharp-8k-super-hi-vision-lcd-4k-tv-and-freestyle-wireless-lcd-h/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/sharp-8k-super-hi-vision-lcd-4k-tv-and-freestyle-wireless-lcd-h/#comments We got a hint of Sharp's plans during its CES 2012 press conference two days ago, but really nothing can prepare you for the sight of the company's 7,680x4,320 resolution 85-inch Super Hi-Vision 8K LCD. No matter how close we got, we still couldn't see the pixels, and the video reels being demonstrated showed an almost unimaginable level of detail. The worst part of it was, seeing that first almost ruined the experience of checking out the ICC 4K demo at the other end of the booth. We can say this -- after seeing Super Hi-Vision there's really no going back. Make an appointment to see those 33MP broadcasts from the London Olympics now. Also a concept, but packed in a more conventional design, were Sharp's Aquos Freestyle LCDs. These featherweight flat-screens were also featured in the press conference, and pack wireless HD streaming inside capable of extending up to 98 feet. The 20-incher in the video above even has a battery good enough for two hours of completely wireless 1080p viewing. While Sharp called them concepts, the displays seemed incredibly polished, so check them out in the gallery below because you may see them on shelves someday.

Gallery: Sharp LCD concepts

Sharp 8K Super Hi-Vision LCD, 4K TV and Freestyle wireless LCD HDTV hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4k8kaquoscesces 2012Ces2012ces2012bestofconceptfreestylehands-onhdpostcrosslcdlightweightsharpshvsuper hi-visionSuperHi-visionvideowirelessWed, 11 Jan 2012 16:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp unveils an 80-inch touchscreen for the boardroom]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-unveils-an-80-inch-touchscreen-for-the-boardroom/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-unveils-an-80-inch-touchscreen-for-the-boardroom/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-unveils-an-80-inch-touchscreen-for-the-boardroom/#comments For the corporate types, Sharp is taking its massive Gen-10 1080p LCDs and adding a touchscreen as well as integrating presentation and video conferencing technologies like Skype, WebEx, GoToMetting. There is even a package that includes an optional compact whiteboard PC preloaded with Windows 7 and drivers for the display. The 80-inch touchscreen display will be available in late February for $13,795, but the press release after the break doesn't mention a price for the 60 or 70-inch versions.

Gallery: Sharp interactive displays

Continue reading Sharp unveils an 80-inch touchscreen for the boardroom

Sharp unveils an 80-inch touchscreen for the boardroom originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AQUOSCESCES 2012Ces2012Gen-10GoToMettinghdpostcrossPN-L802BPN-L802B-PKGSharpSkypetouchscreenWebExMon, 09 Jan 2012 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp to deliver first 80-inch Quattron 3DTV, 20 more new HDTVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-to-deliver-first-80-inch-quattron-3dtv-20-more-new-hdtvs/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-to-deliver-first-80-inch-quattron-3dtv-20-more-new-hdtvs/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-to-deliver-first-80-inch-quattron-3dtv-20-more-new-hdtvs/#comments So you wanted an 80-inch TV, but you also wanted 3D? No problem, come April, as Sharp has announced plans to release the LC-80LE844U for $6,499. Another thing unlike the LC-80LE632U released late last year, the new model features the new for 2012 Quattron Pixel Plus II. The entire 2012 Sharp lineup features built-in WiFi and Sharp's SmartCentral that delivers streaming options like Netflix, Hulu, many others and an AirPlay like feature called Beamzit. The feature still missing from the 80-inch is local dimming, only available on the 60 and 70-inch 9 Series. A full breakdown and listing of all the models of each series, along with the press release, after the break.

Gallery: Sharp Aquos CES 2012


Gallery: Sharp Elite CES 2012


Gallery: Sharp Innovations CES 2012

Continue reading Sharp to deliver first 80-inch Quattron 3DTV, 20 more new HDTVs

Sharp to deliver first 80-inch Quattron 3DTV, 20 more new HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>240hz3D3DTVBeamzitCESCES 2012Ces2012hdpostcrossHuluLC-52LE640ULC-60LE640ULC-60LE745ULC-60LE847ULC-60LE945ULC-70LE640ULC-70LE745ULC-70LE847ULC-70LE945ULC-80LE844ULEDlocal dimmingLocalDimmingNetflixSharpSharp AQUOSSharpAquosMon, 09 Jan 2012 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp adds two new Blu-ray players, soundbar and a number of compact audio solutions for 2012]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-adds-two-new-blu-ray-players-soundbar-and-a-number-of-com/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-adds-two-new-blu-ray-players-soundbar-and-a-number-of-com/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharp-adds-two-new-blu-ray-players-soundbar-and-a-number-of-com/#comments Sharp has two new Blu-ray players to add to its lineup, both with built-in WiFi to enable access to the new SmartCentral -- a feature that provides access to many of your favorite streaming features like Netflix and Vudu. The BD-AMS10U is due in March for $179, the BD-AMS20U is $199 and due in April and adds Mobile High-definition Link. A new soundbar also graces the presence of the press release after the break that also lists more than a couple mini, micro and slim audio components.

Gallery: Sharp Blu-Ray & sound CES 2012

Continue reading Sharp adds two new Blu-ray players, soundbar and a number of compact audio solutions for 2012

Sharp adds two new Blu-ray players, soundbar and a number of compact audio solutions for 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BD-AMS10Ublu-raycesces 2012Ces2012sharpMon, 09 Jan 2012 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from Sharp's CES 2012 press event!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/live-from-sharps-ces-2012-press-event/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/live-from-sharps-ces-2012-press-event/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/live-from-sharps-ces-2012-press-event/#comments
The CES press conferences are in full swing now and we're waiting patiently for the Sharp one to start. We expect some new additions to the Sharp lineup, but with the 80-inch released late last year, we'd be shocked if anything announced today would live up to that.

Continue reading Live from Sharp's CES 2012 press event!

Live from Sharp's CES 2012 press event! originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESCES 2012Ces2012keynoteliveblogSharpMon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp's new XV-Z30000 HD DLP projector puts 3D video on the wall of your choosing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharps-new-xv-z30000-hd-dlp-projector-puts-3d-video-on-the-wall/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharps-new-xv-z30000-hd-dlp-projector-puts-3d-video-on-the-wall/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sharps-new-xv-z30000-hd-dlp-projector-puts-3d-video-on-the-wall/#commentsSharp's putting out a plethora of new devices at CES, and among them is an addition to its existing 3D DLP projectors called the XV-Z30000. It's a 1600-lumen 3D projector that throws a 1080p image on whichever wall you point it at, and keeps the quality up thanks to a 50,000:1 contrast ratio. Connectivity comes courtesy of dual HDMI inputs and its got home automation control compatibility from all the big players along with LAN control as well. The XV-Z30000 comes with two sets of 3D glasses, and will be available for $5,000 in March 2012.

Gallery: Sharp XV-Z30000 HD DLP Projector

Sharp's new XV-Z30000 HD DLP projector puts 3D video on the wall of your choosing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dcesces 2012Ces2012dlphdpostcrosshome theaterHomeTheaterprojectorsharpxv-z30000Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung, Sharp, Hitachi and others settle LCD panel price fixing consumer class action for $539 million]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/samsung-sharp-hitachi-and-others-settle-lcd-panel-price-fixing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/samsung-sharp-hitachi-and-others-settle-lcd-panel-price-fixing/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/27/samsung-sharp-hitachi-and-others-settle-lcd-panel-price-fixing/#comments 'Tis the season for settling antitrust lawsuits, folks. Earlier this month, Sharp, Samsung, Hitachi and other LCD panel producers settled out their price fixing lawsuit with direct purchasers (read: TV and computer monitor manufacturers) for $388 million. So the story goes, the companies colluded to assure higher prices on LCDs sold between 1999 and 2006. Now, those same seven companies have settled up with indirect LCD purchasers -- aka the folks buying TVs and PCs -- to the tune of $539 million. Samsung, Sharp and Chimei are dishing out the lion's share of settlement dollars at $240 million, $115 million and $110 million, respectively, with the other companies kicking in between $2.8 and $39 million for their (allegedly) anti-competitive ways. Of course, the settlement isn't final until it receives the court's blessing, but you can see what the judge will likely be rubber-stamping at the source below.

Samsung, Sharp, Hitachi and others settle LCD panel price fixing consumer class action for $539 million originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustchimeiChimei InnoluxChimeiInnoluxclass actionClassActionepsonhitachilawsuitlcdLCD panellcd panelsLcdPanelLcdPanelslegallitigationprice fixingPriceFixingsamsungsettlesettlementsharpTue, 27 Dec 2011 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp AQUOS IS14SH presses hold on the death of the phone keypad]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/sharp-aquos-is14sh-presses-hold-on-the-death-of-the-phone-keypad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/sharp-aquos-is14sh-presses-hold-on-the-death-of-the-phone-keypad/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/sharp-aquos-is14sh-presses-hold-on-the-death-of-the-phone-keypad/#comments

KDDI's latest team-up with Sharp appears to be haunted by the ghosts of mobile past, present and future. The AQUOS IS14SH sends us spinning back to the 90's with a slide-out numerical keypad that hopes to appeal to those T9 typists who have honed the craft to a fine art. More future-facing customers may be sold on the combination of Android Gingerbread, Three Seg TV tuner, NFC wallet and eight-megapixel camera. The phone is available now in black, white and pink, though none, sadly, will land with Sharp's recently unveiled optical image stabilizer.

Sharp AQUOS IS14SH presses hold on the death of the phone keypad originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAndroid 2.3Android GingerbreadAndroid2.3AndroidGingerbreadaquosauau by kddiAuByKddiGoogleJapanKDDIkeypadmobilepostminiSharpSharp AQUOS IS14SHSharpAquosIs14shsliderWed, 21 Dec 2011 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC Fridays: December 16, 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/16/fcc-fridays-december-16-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/16/fcc-fridays-december-16-2011/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/16/fcc-fridays-december-16-2011/#comments
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!

Continue reading FCC Fridays: December 16, 2011

FCC Fridays: December 16, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archosblufccfcc fridayfcc fridaysFccFridayFccFridaysfederalfffridaygovernmenthuaweiminipostmobilepostcrossmotorolapantechroundupsamsungsharpsonimzteFri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp nearing 1 million big-screen TV sales in North America, expanding global market]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/09/sharp-nearing-1-million-big-screen-tv-sales-in-north-america-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/09/sharp-nearing-1-million-big-screen-tv-sales-in-north-america-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/09/sharp-nearing-1-million-big-screen-tv-sales-in-north-america-ex/#comments
Sharp Corporation claims they may top 1 million big-screen televisions (60 inches or above) sold in North America alone by March of next year, and expects growth the next fiscal year. With a stronger hold on the Japanese market then its competitors, the company is expanding overseas to bolster competition and avoid Asia's current market forecast -- a projected $6 billion decline in LCD sales by 2015. According to Kozo Takahashi, head of the American operations division, big-screen purchases in the United States are set to triple this upcoming year despite a declining trend in the North American market. While audio visual equipment accounts for more than half of Sharp's revenue, the company sees the need to market its other products more aggressively in the Americas to remain globally competitive.

Sharp nearing 1 million big-screen TV sales in North America, expanding global market originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmericaAmericasAsiaaudioaudio visualAudioVisualbig screenbig screen tvbig screen TVsbig-screenbig-screen tvsBig-screenTvBig-screenTvsBigScreenBigScreenTvBigScreenTvsentertainmenthdpostminiJapankozo takahashiKozoTakahashiLCDNorth AmericaNorthAmericasharpsharp corpSharpCorptelevisiontelevisionstvtvsU.SUnited StatesUnitedStatesvisualFri, 09 Dec 2011 22:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp, Samsung and other LCD makers agree to pay $388 million in price fixing case]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/sharp-samsung-and-other-lcd-makers-agree-to-pay-388-million-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/sharp-samsung-and-other-lcd-makers-agree-to-pay-388-million-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/sharp-samsung-and-other-lcd-makers-agree-to-pay-388-million-in/#commentsThe companies still aren't admitting to any wrongdoing, but Sharp, Samsung, Chimei Innolux, LG and four other LCD manufacturers have now reached a settlement in a price fixing case that began back in 2007 with a class action lawsuit. That suit specifically covers LCD panels sold between 1999 and 2006, which the companies are alleged to have driven the price up on, in turn driving up the prices on products that use them. The group has agreed to pay a total of $388 to settle the claims, with Sharp shelling out the largest single amount at $105 million -- Samsung is next at $82.7 million, followed by Taiwan's largest display-maker, Chimei Innolux, at $78 million, and LG at $70 million. As Bloomberg notes, this follows a criminal price fixing case a couple of years back, in which LG and Sharp were forced to pay $585 million in fines.

Sharp, Samsung and other LCD makers agree to pay $388 million in price fixing case originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chimei InnoluxChimeiInnoluxclass actionClassActionhdpostcrosslawsuitlgprice fixingprice-fixingPriceFixingsamsungsettlementsharpWed, 07 Dec 2011 13:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp AQUOS SH-01D's optical image stabilizer hands-on (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/sharp-aquos-sh-01ds-optical-image-stabilizer-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/sharp-aquos-sh-01ds-optical-image-stabilizer-hands-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/07/sharp-aquos-sh-01ds-optical-image-stabilizer-hands-on-video/#comments If you need further proof of how the Japanese keep the best to themselves, then here's yet another fine example to fuel your jealousy. Sharp's recently launched AQUOS SH-01D is one of the few -- if not the first -- Android phones that feature optical image stabilization, and this is all thanks to the company's new 12.1 megapixel, 1/3.2-inch CMOS camera module. The demo videos are plenty impressive, but naturally, we had to see for ourselves to really believe it, so playstyle.hk kindly lent us an SH-01D for a quick and dirty hands-on.

As per typical NTT DoCoMo Android phones, our SH-01D suffered from minor lags due to the heavy OS customization; but leaving that aside we dug its 4.5-inch 1,280 x 720 ASV display and its overall build quality. We then quickly moved on to the camera: while image stabilization is available for both photo and video modes, don't expect it to fully compensate your shakiness -- you'll see below that we ended up with a few slightly blurry stills at night, which isn't surprising; but regardless, we got plenty of vibrant colors in most cases.

The stabilization is more noticeable in video mode, and it's definitely more effective than the Droid RAZR's implementation -- we got some sample clips after the break for your viewing pleasure. There's no telling when other phones will get this technology, but if you want a taste of the future then you can grab an SH-01D from playstyle.hk for HK$5,500 or about US$708.

Gallery: Sharp AQUOS SH-01D hands-on


Gallery: Sharp AQUOS SH-01D sample shots

Continue reading Sharp AQUOS SH-01D's optical image stabilizer hands-on (video)

Sharp AQUOS SH-01D's optical image stabilizer hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidaquosaquos sh-01dAquosSh-01dcellphonedocomofeaturedfeatureshands-onjapanmobile phoneMobilePhonemobilepostcrossmobilepostminintt domocoNttDomocophonesh-01dsharpsmartphonevideoWed, 07 Dec 2011 13:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp's slim 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor to further trim smartphone silhouettes (updated)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/sharps-slim-12-1-megapixel-cmos-sensor-to-further-trim-smartpho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/sharps-slim-12-1-megapixel-cmos-sensor-to-further-trim-smartpho/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/sharps-slim-12-1-megapixel-cmos-sensor-to-further-trim-smartpho/#comments Mobile waistbands are about to get tighter. Sharp's taking that whole thin is in thing to the extreme with its just outed 12.1 megapixel, 1/3.2-inch CMOS camera module. Measuring in at 5.47 millimeters thick, this component's set to ship out to manufacturers for ¥12,000 apiece (about $154) starting tomorrow and is, apparently, the result of overwhelming demand for anorexic handsets -- we're looking at you, dear readers. Okay, not really. The company actually claims its "proprietary high-density packaging technology" (jargon, much?) is responsible for this slimmed-down image sensor that's capable of full 1080p HD capture. So, does this coming wave of starved form factors mean we can expect less bloatware? Let's all hard wink at the carriers together.

Update: It turns out that the Sharp AQUOS SH-01D already utilizes this awesome sensor, and you can see its optical image stabilization in action after the break -- it's super impressive!

Continue reading Sharp's slim 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor to further trim smartphone silhouettes (updated)

Sharp's slim 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor to further trim smartphone silhouettes (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12.1 megapixel12.1MegapixelCMOScmos sensorCmosSensorform factorFormFactormobilepostcrossSharpsmartphonesmartphonesthinvideoThu, 01 Dec 2011 15:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: HDTV and home theater]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-hdtv-and-home-theater/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-hdtv-and-home-theater/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/29/engadgets-holiday-gift-guide-2011-hdtv-and-home-theater/#commentsWelcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.
For a crowd-pleasing holiday gift, it's hard to do better than a TV (or something that plays on or plugs into a TV), so naturally we're here to help you out once again. Of course, this is an ever-changing industry segment, but we've got you covered -- regardless of whether you need a flat panel or a projector. If you're out shopping for someone that has (or wants to) cut the cable, or someone that has every channel, there's something for you. Of course, we'd also recommend keeping a close eye on the tablet and gaming categories too, but companies like Roku, Samsung and Ceton are making sure you have all kinds of options dedicated purely to video. Give them a look after the break.

Continue reading Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: HDTV and home theater

Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: HDTV and home theater originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bd-d5700blu-rayblu-ray playerBlu-rayPlayercetonceton infinitv 4ceton infinitv 4 USBCetonInfinitv4CetonInfinitv4Usbhd33hdpostcrosshdtvhgghgg2011holiday gift guideholiday gift guide 2011HolidayGiftGuideHolidayGiftGuide2011home theaterHomeTheaterinfinitv 4Infinitv4lc-80le632ulcdmedia streamerMediaStreameroptomaoptoma hd33OptomaHd33panasonicplasmaprojectorrokuroku xdRokuXdsamsungsharpstar warsStar Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-rayStarWarsStarWars:TheCompleteSagaOnBlu-raytc-p65vt30tivotivo premiere eliteTivoPremiereElitetrontron: legacyTron:LegacyTue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sharp AQUOS SH-01D appears on NTT DoCoMo, offers up glasses-free 3D]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/28/sharp-aquos-sh-01d-appears-on-ntt-docomo-offers-up-glasses-free/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/28/sharp-aquos-sh-01d-appears-on-ntt-docomo-offers-up-glasses-free/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/28/sharp-aquos-sh-01d-appears-on-ntt-docomo-offers-up-glasses-free/#comments

Not content with brandishing a medley of LTE-packed smartphones this season, Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo has confirmed a December release for Sharp's AQUOS SH-01D. While it lacks any 4G chops, the Android phone is cocooned in waterproof protection and packs a 12.1 megapixel camera on the back. An OMAP 4430 1GHz dual-core processor runs Gingerbread on the 3D-capable 1280 x 720 ASV display -- all crammed inside a waifish 9.7mm frame. Despite a recent visit to the FCC, there's no word on whether the water-defiant device will brave the Pacific ocean to arrive on these shores. However, any ex-patriots gasping for the SH-10D's potent screen will be able to grab one on December 2 and can unravel more specification mysteries in the Google-translated press release below.

Continue reading Sharp AQUOS SH-01D appears on NTT DoCoMo, offers up glasses-free 3D

Sharp AQUOS SH-01D appears on NTT DoCoMo, offers up glasses-free 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DAndroidAndroid 2.3android gingerbreadAndroid2.3AndroidGingerbreadAQUOSAquos SH-01DAquosSh-01dDoCoModual-coregingerbreadglasses-free 3dGlasses-free3djapanmobilepostminiNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoSH-01DsharpsmartphonesmartphoneswaterproofMon, 28 Nov 2011 12:51:00 EST