Sharp to launch glasses-free 3D smartphone with 3D camera globally this year

Can't say we didn't see this coming. After wooing us with a number of glasses-free 3D displays -- including the one that gives Nintendo 3DS its magic -- and 3D HD cameras for mobile devices, the company has finally laid down the gauntlet. It's promising to release a smartphone with such an autostereoscopic screen and 3D camera, just like we always wanted, before New Year's Day 2011. It certainly wouldn't be the first 3D phone in the market -- Hitachi touted one early last year for Japanese carrier KDDI, and NTT docomo has had a prototype 3D display -- but a Sharp spokeswoman said that this 3D smartphone would be going international. The more the merrier, we say. Now, how about some more details and a pretty picture or two, eh Sharp?

[Guimo Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:55AM]

I will be impressed when I can play Warcraft in a 3d table. Otherwise I'm not interested in this technology.

[Xcharles718 Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:55AM]

3d and 4g in a phone?, maybe 7.1 surround next?

[MrIgbo Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:59AM]

iPhone 3D; coming sooner than we think.

[N0c7urn3 Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:02AM]

Maybe, 3D web-conferencing with a bunch of those phones? Maybe augmented-reality apps in 3D. Might be great if it can measure distances for you using the 3D camera.

I hope it uses Android ...

[pika2000 Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:02AM]

Facetime porn in 3D!

[bryoneill11 Posted Aug 4th 2010 10:19AM]

@pika2000 3D TITS

[Apple Fan Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:12AM]

I finally tried a 3D TV for the first time a few days ago. Sony had a few sets set up for demos at the X Games. I wasn't expecting much, considering I've been unimpressed with 3D movies for the most part, but let me tell you, I was blown away. The realism that is added to sporting events was amazing. Much better experience than watching a 3D movie in the theatre - just my opinion.

I'm anxious to try a "glasses free" screen - but to be honest, I don't see it being as awesome as the what I saw a few days ago. I hope I can be proven wrong!

[Chu Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:32AM]

Double images all the way across the screen!

[pokes Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:35AM]

They should just have a discreet sensor or just use the front camera in a low power context to detect where the users eyes are in relation to the orientation of the screen. You can therefore get an instant 3d effect on phones by adjusting the image with front cameras and accelerometers/gyros.

I think someone should go down that route. It would have better viewing angles anyway.

[ryn456 Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:41AM]

A 3d phone would get annoying, not to mention.....why?

Dont get me wrong i think 3D is very cool and i love that there is more and more glasses-less every day. but it seems like we are just throwing it around now.

How about a phone with a 1280X720 phone screen or a 1080 P first?

And some more inspiring designs, black rectangles are getting boring.

[That guy 2 Posted Aug 4th 2010 10:50AM]

@ryn456 "black rectangles" make function over form, what else do you want? A star that won't fit anywhere and is hard to hold? A colored rectangle? Maybe to please people like you, but colored phones can get annoying

[me2ici Posted Aug 4th 2010 2:58AM]

3D is wasted on me. Would like the overall phone design if screen is min. 4" and turn it into a MID phone. At one time Sharp was the champion on miniaturization including great key boards. With such a rich history, concepts and competence it is a pity Sharp does not seem willing to bite the bullet and to claw its way back to the top at the international market.
Something like the IS01 but better: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/31/sharps-snapdragon-powered-android-running-is01-mid-gets-a-hand/

[xdeiri Posted Aug 4th 2010 3:01AM]

i saw 3D last week and i was surprised that its nothing new to the old red and blue tech beside the HD, and frankly i think its gimmick not to mention the way uncomfortable glasses, just a hype to rob customers.

[That guy 2 Posted Aug 4th 2010 10:51AM]

@xdeiri I agree 100% I'm pissed that people are buying the marketing, and every movie ad says at the end, also playing In 3d

[gelatinguy Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:06AM]

3D in a phone could be great. It's on the devs to do cool stuff with it like 3D video chat, photos, photo gallery, home screen navigation, and of course games and vids. The trick is to use depth wisely, and not to succumb to the gimmick of making things pop out much, if at all. This is something most 3D movies haven't learned yet, so we might have to wait a few years for it to mature.

[andyroo77 Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:11AM]

Yay, now finally I can view all that available 3D content whilst i'm out and about!

[TareG Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:16AM]

I hope it's lenticular lens and not parallax barrier.

[irav Posted Aug 4th 2010 6:26AM]

Now without a single doubt in mind, i want this.

but hope its Windows phone 7 series n plz not with android. I don't want to use crappy apps n interface in 3D at-all.

[That guy 2 Posted Aug 4th 2010 10:54AM]

@irav I have 100% doubt about wanting this, it's a gimmick, and yah android in 3d would suuuck, but any os it would be distracting and disorienting for your finger

[themadman Posted Aug 4th 2010 8:58AM]

Those deer have rabies!

[TacoMusic Posted Aug 4th 2010 9:23AM]

WP7 with a 3D display, brings a new mean to "live tiles" eh?

[TCrimson05 Posted Aug 4th 2010 10:11AM]

because 3D instantly makes everything better...

[xXIiShOcKiIXx Posted Aug 4th 2010 1:18PM]

I can't wait to see the tiles in WP7 pop out of the screen.. But seriously, please let it be WP7.. There's getting to be too many Android phones..

[vaiol123 Posted Aug 5th 2010 8:43AM]

I hope they keep the standard Japanese clamshell form factor. Otherwise, I don't see it gaining much success.