The AP today revealed that Apple and LG have come to a big agreement over the next five years for display technology. The agreement spells out that the displays won’t just be for monitors but also for iPhones and iPods. Also there isn’t anything in the way of exclusivity in the press release but perhaps Apple would like to have first dibs on LG’s displays.
The release…
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — LG Display Co. has reached a long-term deal with Apple Inc. to supply flat panels to the iconic maker of computers, music players and smart phones. The contract between the two companies is for five years and calls for LG to receive an advance payment of $500 million sometime this month, the South Korean company said in a regulatory filing Monday. Seoul-based LG Display and Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, planned to decide later on details such as the number of panels LG will provide, LG said. LG Display declined to provide further details. Shares in LG Display fell 0.8 percent to close at 23,550 won ($17.33).
LG is also working on 3D displays:
Cutting-edge High Tech but Affordable Price
- No additional cost for 3D contents conversion plug-in
- Only Invest initial affordable cost for getting tremendous benefits from 3D
Apply 3D to your dream
- Various applications & usages without glasses
Feel free to make 3D contents
- Various Professional 3D Contents Conversion Softwares
- True3D Player(3D Contents Player)
- True3D Still Image Maker(Still Image Conversion S/W)
- True3D 3DS Max Plug-in(3DS Max Rendering S/W)
- True3D Mixed Reality(2D, 3D Compounding S/W)
Easiness of 3D Contents Conversion
- Software Easiness
- Stable & Fast
- Simple & intuitive interface
- Readiness of converting function for various 3D authoring software with igs file
Hardware Easiness
- Simple usage(display & filter exchange)
- Simple 3D photography usage
Dense view number
- The world best 25 views make sure comfort viewing
Microsoft also announced a screen manufacturing agreement today. Theirs was a much smaller agreement with Israeli touch screen manufacturing firm N-Trig
LG and Apple compete (obviously) in the LCD display business and also in smartphone handset (LG Voyager, Prada etc.). This compete/cooperate model isn’t uncommon in the electronics industries where conglomerates that cross industries are common.
It may also make sense that Apple makes large investing agreements while the US dollar is still strong.
Saw some of their 3d stuff in the CES coverage around the web. That built in to the iMac would be amazing, and very Apple. Imagine 3d movies like beowulf available on iTunes to watch on it. Might give Apple a gaming foothold if they were early with 3d too.
3D would be weird in games. It would make the people look small.
US Dollar is strong? Compared to what? Monopoly money?:-) haha
Yes, it is. Compared to most currencies. Probably that too.
didn’t apple license a patent a while ago for a 3d GUI space? it’d be pretty neat if they incorporated multi-touch gestures somehow, or maybe if they could get it to work on those visors they have for the iPod…
also, i think this would work excellently with Depth of Field effects in video games, that as well as for positional indicators for incoming fire. alternatively, a HUD that sits on the sides of the screen (or 3D space) would function a lot better for a larger viewing area than one chillin directly in front of you. a less spatially invasive HUD is almost always more visceral.
plus, 3d porn would be totally retarded. :p
I’m happy with Apple’s move to be green, but I’d be significantly more impressed if they made a commitment to move some manufacturing back to the U.S. LG could build plants here in the United States and transfer some of that technology back to our shores. Apple would have greater control over their product and shorten the supply line which would be truly green.
GM awarded LG Chem the contract to build their Volt batteries. The cell will be made in Korea but assembled in the U.S.
Gorgeous displays!
This company claims to be able to deliver 3D movies on an XBOX 360 NOW…
http://marketsaw.blogspot.com/2009/01/ces-2009-next3d-offers-free-in-home-3d.html
http://www.next3d.com