Judging by the fact that our lovely planet is home to the
Libretto W100, the
Kno,
Onkyo DX and oodles of
prototypes that utilize
twin panels rather than a panel and a keyboard, Sharp's newest microchip is likely to draw some serious industry attention. Improving on an idea that began in 2008, the company has recently shown off a new chip (dubbed LR388G9) that can control
two mobile LCDs and can simultaneously display a pair of different 1,024 x 480 pixel clips on a pair of screens; moreover, it can output full 1080p to any source connected via HDMI. Since '08, Sharp has increased memory capacity from 16Mbits to 32Mbits while boosting the image processing speed, and the company now intends to hawk this new guy to outfits who manufacture smartphones, e-readers, digital photo frames and even netbooks. If all goes well, the chip will ship within a 261-pin WFBGA package this September, with volume pricing pegged at around ¥2,400 ($27).
posted July 28th 2010 6:24AM
@Androidsugly
Does a Pay Phone fit in your pocket?
@Androidsugly COURIER! Perhaps Microsoft will bring it back form the dead.
@Hoo
Do pay phones still exist?
@H264
Oh Yea plenty of them still about
@H264
Yes! They Do! And I think a girl can get pregnant from them!
@Androidsugly: you must have some tiny pockets if you can't squeeze a DS Lite / DSi in there.
@briguy266
My thoughts exactly!
@Androidsugly
Please... stop using those skinny jeans...
High tech for low monies.
I like alot.
Now tell me engadget, how does this involve the iPhone?
WHY COURIER? WHY!?!?!
@KobaltKode Just a empty tease
Wait... This isn't iEngadget?
Fanboy here. Can anyone point me towards and iSite?
@angelnilo06 The reason this isnt an iPhone review is because this is not Gizmodo.
an*
Er, didn't you guys already report on this three weeks ago when they actually announced it? http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/07/sharps-lr388g9-lcd-controller-suggests-more-products-with-dual/
That and this isn't new. We have been able to do this with OMAP for a while. Their prototype demo device had 3 screens displaying 3 separate images.
Me thinks iPad 2 or 3 will incorporate state of the art sunlight readable display tech made possible by chips like this. Apple always use the best of the CURRENT proven technologies for their products (hence no eInk yet), so when such technology matures (IE, is affordable and reliable when mass produced), they will use it.
Only annoyance is the wait. :P
@Oflife The first iPad isn't even close to high-end and doesn't even sell for anywhere near the price it takes to manufacture. The iphone4 is way more powerful than that sorry excuse for a tablet/netbook replacement. If Apple wants to seek better screen and resolution I suggest they make a product powerful enough to demand that sort of equipment.
@Oflife No they don't. Except for their high end desktops, their hardware is usually a generation behind when it hits the shelf. That's not saying that it might not be ahead of a lot of mainstream solutions, but it's not high end by any shot of the imagination. iFolk overlook this as they're too busy looking at their iCandy.
Very cool. Perhaps David Potter will come back to Psion, do a deal with Sony Ericsson and make something worthwhile of this!
I just can't figure out these Asians.. They develop this amazing piece of technology and then show it off using some poorly cut pieces of paper glued to a cardboard box. WTF?
@deepnorth
Asian kids get lot of summer holidays school projects, Sharp may have good collaborations with some of these schools!
enV touch
27$??
You can get an apps processor for that cost
Cheap as chips! Literally!
Hey Engadget,
"it can output full 1080p to any source connected via HDMI."
No it can't.
It might output to any destination though.
From Sharp minds come Sharp products !
If only MS could have waited another month before killing Courier...
Do a dual screen phone were one screen acts Like a keyboard.
I don't want a dual-screen e-reader, unless it's the dual screen on my Nook.
I see no reason why I'd need two e-ink panels, though. That's what page-turning is for. And the point of an e-reader is to be small and light. Two screens weigh more than one screen, ergo: Bad idea.