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Hitachi glasses-free 3D technology lets you view weird chicken things from multiple angles
We might not have chosen the above weird baby chick to pitch our autostereoscopic technology to the world, but at least it makes for some memorable imagery. The hatchling is a 3D image generated by projectors, overlayed on top of a real world object, which can be viewed by multiple people at multiple angles without the need for 3D glasses. Built-in sensors detect the viewer's positions and adjust the viewing angle accordingly. Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen this sort of technology -- heck, this isn't even the first time we've seen this sort of thing from Hitachi, but the company says it's continually getting better, with a marked depth resolution improvement over a technology shown off this time last year at CEATEC. The company is looking to implement the technology for both digital signage and entertainment purposes, eventually revolutionizing the way the world looks at 3D baby chickens.
RePro3D is a 'touchable' 3D interface that lets you poke pixies (video)
The illusion of 3D is kind of ruined the moment you reach out and try and grab whatever silly thing is supposed to be protruding from the screen. Researchers at Keio University in Tokyo have started to figure out a solution to the problem, and are calling their system RePro3D. By combining a glasses-free 3D display with an infrared tactile interface, they are able to create a holographic model that responds when "touched." The next step for the team is to provide feedback via a wearable device, adding the sensation of touch to the already impressive illusion of interactivity. We do have our concerns about the researcher's motives however. One of the creators, Keitaro Shimizu, told DigInfo, "there are many attractive characters in animations and games, but since those characters only exist within the screen, it feels a little lonely..." We guess getting a girlfriend is out of the question. Check out the video after the break.
Fraunhofer's STAN: four cameras, three dimensions, no glasses
There are some glasses-free 3D TVs around, but their limited viewing angles and poor picture quality aren't very inspiring -- so Fraunhofer's latest project is a welcome endeavor. It's developed STAN (STereoscopic ANalyzer), a system that lets broadcasters easily use four cameras instead of the usual two, for 3D recording. 3D needs a minimum of two lenses to register depth and keeping multiple shooters in sync is tough and expensive. That's led to the industry relying on two, which is why glasses-free (autostereoscopic) 3D TVs get such a poor picture; more cameras means more viewing angles. STAN co-ordinates the setup of the four cameras and then uses a feature detector to identify common elements in the pictures and merges them into a 3D image. Four cameras provide much more depth, which means more viewing angles, which means that if STAN gets picked up, these guys can throw away the sunglasses, even for live broadcasts.
Marshall Electronics outs glasses-free Orchid 3D monitor for pro filmmakers
If you're trying to turn your next film into a three dimensional cinematic masterpiece, having a quality camera to record things is a necessity. But, prudence demands that would-be James Camerons film with a first-rate monitor to view all that video as well. Good thing Marshall Electronics has made the Orchid OR-70-3D monitor to meet all your moviemaking needs. It's got a 7.2-inch, 1600 x 600 glasses-free 3D display that works using parallax barrier and lenticular hybrid technology -- all in a package that weighs just under three pounds. In order to let you fine tune things in all three dimensions, there's real-time waveform and color vectorscope monitoring along with a suite of other 3D tuning tools. The cost for such prodigious production value? $7,899, which sounds like a lot, but if it helps you make the next Avatar you'll have no problems recouping your investment. PR's after the break.
Engadget Podcast 254 - 09.02.2011
We like to call this edition of the Engadget Podcast The Engadget Podcast Without Borders because we just don't care where the news comes from. If it smells like news, we'll be there, no matter where there is, and we'll come together every right here to boil it all down for you. It's that simple. It's the Engadget Podcast, now with more Richard.Host: Tim Stevens, Brian HeaterGuests: Richard Lawler, Richard LaiProducer: Trent WolbeMusic: Dancing With Myself01:25 - Engadget NYC Reader Meetup recap02:30 - We're live from IFA 2011!02:41 - Toshiba announces AT200 tablet, 10.1-inch display and only 7.7mm thick03:25 - Toshiba AT200 hands-on (video)06:10 - Lenovo announces IdeaPad A1, the $199 Android tablet, we go hands-on (video)13:49 - Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hands-on (video)18:42 - Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom 'S Pen' apps21:30 - Samsung Galaxy Note hands-on (video)30:30 - Toshiba's glasses free 3D TV launches in Europe as the ZL2 this December32:50 - Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video)34:53 - Lenovo announces U300s Ultrabook, U300 and U400 IdeaPads, we go hands-on (video)38:30 - Toshiba's Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook41:00 - HTC's 10-inch Puccini tablet gets official as Jetstream, brings LTE and laughable price to AT&T42:00 - Exclusive: HTC Puccini in the wild, AT&T LTE support confirmed!43:07 - Sony Tablet S preview50:00 - Sony officially renames the S2 the Tablet P, opens up about the software (video)54:22 - US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond)57:13 - Offline Google Mail hands-on58:21 - Listener questionsHear the podcastSubscribe to the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune MarketplaceDownload the podcastLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)Contact the podcastSend your questions to @tim_stevens.Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot comTwitter: @tim_stevens, @bheater, @richardlai, @rjcc
Engadget Primed: all mobile displays are not created equal
Primed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day -- we dig deep into each topic's history and how it benefits our lives. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com. The quality of a mobile phone's display is arguably the most important factor to consider when you establish a relationship with a handset. It's inescapable, really. Whether you're playing a rousing game of Robot Unicorn Attack or (regrettably) drunk-dialing an ex, it's the one interface element that you're consistently interacting with. It's your window to the world and your canvas for creation, and if it's lousy, it's going to negatively influence everything you see and do. Today, we're delving into the world of mobile displays, where we're aiming to entertain and edify, and hopefully save you from making regrettable decisions -- when it comes to purchasing new phones, anyway. In this edition of Primed, we'll be examining the different qualities and underlying technologies of several displays, starting with the ubiquitous TFT-LCD and moving through the nascent realm of glasses-free 3D and beyond. We'll also be addressing the importance of resolution and pixel density. Finally, we'll be scoping out a handful of upcoming technologies -- while some are thoroughly intriguing, others are just plain wacky. Go ahead... buy the ticket, take the ride, and join us after the break. It's Primed time.
Toshiba's Qosmio F755 delivers glasses-free 3D August 16th, for $1,699
Remember that Qosmio F750 glasses-free 3D laptop we got our greasy paws all over back in early July? Well, it seems like it's gotten minor moniker makeover for its US debut, and is now the F755. Thankfully, the news doesn't end with a new name -- we've got a price and release date for this parallax-packing lappie too! On August 16th you'll be able to pick up Toshiba's latest 15.6-inch media machine starting at $1,699. The notebook will hit Fry's, Best Buy, and Newegg all on the same day, sporting the same Core i7 processor, 6GB of RAM, 750GB hard disk, Blu-ray drive, and GeForce GT 540M GPU. Sadly, it won't be able to convert 2D games to 3D out of the box, but Toshiba is working with Nvidia to deliver that feature by November. Now you'll just have to bide your time till this 8-pound, "portable" 3D rig starts shipping in about two weeks.
Hitachi announces high-res 4.5-inch IPS display for smartphones with improved glasses-free 3D
There's still no word as to when it might actually land in some phones, but it looks like glasses-free 3D could soon see some improvements courtesy of Hitachi's latest 4.5-inch IPS display. Not only does it boast a high 1280 x 720 resolution, but it uses a less common lenticular lens approach instead of the parallax barrier method used by the likes of the Nintendo 3DS and HTC EVO 3D. According to Hitachi, that allows for much brighter 3D images than other displays (470 cd/m2, specifically), and images that are actually brighter in 3D mode than in 2D mode. Here's hoping Hitachi shows off a bit more than the image above before too long.
LG's 20-inch DX2000 3D monitor uses eye tracking, don't need no glasses to be enjoyed
In our experience, soaking in the third dimension on a panel smaller than 40-some-odd inches isn't exactly a jaw-dropping affair, but if you're residing in cramped quarters... well, your options are somewhat limited. Outside of strapping something on your dome, you'll probably be in the market for a more diminutive set, and LG's DX2000 just might fit the bill. It's a 20-inch LED-backlit 3D monitor, but unlike the legions of alternatives, this one's of the glasses-free variety. It relies on parallax barrier technology (read: not the most sophisticated), but ups the ante by throwing in the world's first eye-tracking feature on a panel of this stature. In theory, said feature allows users to move about in front of the screen, perhaps expanding those exceedingly narrow "sweet spots" that have worried viewers for years now. We're also told that there's a 2D-to-3D conversion feature, and while it's destined to hit Korean streets later this month, other regions are slated to get it during the latter part of 2011.
Toshiba reveals the Qosmio F750 glasses-free 3D laptop, we go hands on (video)
Toshiba just unveiled what it claims is the world's first glasses-free 3D laptop, the Qosmio F750. It's a heavy-set beast dedicated to gaming and movies, with a 15.6-inch Full HD lenticular screen that can display 2D and 3D simultaneously in separate windows. It also rocks an HD webcam that follows your movements and adjusts the 3D effect accordingly, so you can peek at the that lovely third dimension from almost any angle you like. Innovative stuff indeed, but we were underwhelmed when we caught a glimpse of Toshiba's concept model back in January. So, has the technology improved since then? Check out our hands-on impressions and video after the break. %Gallery-127693%
LG Optimus 3D now available SIM-free for £500 at Carphone Warehouse
It's been mere weeks since we got the full specs on LG's Optimus 3D (also known as the Thrill 4G for AT&T), and here it is, as promised, popping up across the pond. Yup, everyone's favorite misnomered online retailer, Carphone Warehouse, has the glassesless Froyo phone going for a cool £500, SIM-free. You can also get 3D on your dual-core LG for £35 per month from O2, Orange, T-Mobile, or Vodafone. For those of you US patriots looking to get your hands on the thing in time for the Fourth of July, however, you'll have to find another way to capture the weenie roast in all three dimensions -- there's still no word on when the Optimus 3D will land stateside.
Gadmei P83 PMP does glasses-free 3D for $179
A no-name PMP selling for $179 at Brando -- purveyor of all things inexpensive, electronic and often USB-powered -- may not ordinarily make the grade for us, but this so-called Gadmei P83 device has one somewhat notable trick up its sleeve. It packs an 8-inch, 1,280 x 768 display that's able to do glasses-free 3D video. Of course, you're left to yourself to actually hunt down or provide your own compatible video files, and the PMP itself is decidedly ordinary otherwise: 4GB of storage, an SD card slot for expansion, and the usual media playback capabilities and nothing more (no one's going to confuse this for a tablet). Still curious? Head on past the break for a video that offers a slightly more accurate depiction of the device than the image above.
LG's Optimus 3D officially launched, debuting in Europe with dual lens and dual core CPU
The long wait is finally over! Joining the likes of HTC EVO 3D and Sharp SH-12C is LG's very own Optimus 3D aka Thrill 4G for AT&T, which we first got our hands on back in February and again in March. The specs for this Android 2.2 device (yeah, we know) have remained untouched since we last checked: here we have a 4.3-inch glasses-less 3D LCD with 800 x 480 resolution, a 1GHz dual core TI OMAP4430 processor, 512MB of speedy dual channel RAM, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera, and a couple of 5 megapixel cameras on the back that can capture 3D 1080p video at 24fps, or 3D 720p at 30fps. Other tidbits include 14.4Mbps HSPA+ connection, an HDMI-out port, and a removable 1500mAh battery, all inside a 5.93 ounce package. Alas, no date's been mentioned for the phone's US launch, but the lucky Europeans will get to pick up this phone first, followed by the rest of the world "over the next several weeks." Stay tuned while we keep our eyes peeled open for further news.
HTC EVO 3D walks its WiMAX by the FCC on its way to Sprint
It's looking like we're about three weeks away from our first dose of glasses-free 3D on a smartphone, and Sprint is going to be the one getting you all cross-eyed. But, before you can hold a device like HTC's EVO 3D to your head, the FCC has to make sure it won't be doing anything too nasty to your gray matter. The phone and its myriad of antennas -- covering CDMA, EVDO, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and WiFi -- all ran the gauntlet successfully, and, in the process, exposed a long list of componentry. No, sadly, there's no teardown involved with this one, but we now know the model numbers of just about every major piece of equipment wedged behind that parallax-barrier screen, from its Qualcomm processor to its Broadcom wireless chipset. Really, though, you only need to know one thing: June 24th.
Researchers hack Kinect for glasses-free 3D teleconferencing (video)
Since the dawn of Kinect hacking, we've seen cameras strung together (or rotated) to create 3D, video game-like environments, while others have tweaked it for headtracking. Others, still, have used it for teleconferencing (albeit, the flat, two-dimensional variety). Now, a team of researchers have gone and thrown it all together to achieve 3D video chats, and if we do say so, the result is greater than a sum of its parts. The group, based out of UNC-Chapel Hill, uses 3D mapping (and at least four Kinects) to render the video, and then employs headtracking on the receiving end so that people tuning in will actually see the live video in 3D, even without wearing 3D glasses. The result: a tableau that follows you as you move your head and spin around restlessly in your desk chair waiting for the meeting to end. That's mighty impressive, but we can't help but wonder: do you really want to see your colleagues in such lifelike detail? Have a gander at the video and decide for yourself.
Nissho starts selling 52-inch, glasses-free 3D TV with Full HD resolution in Japan
Remember Dimenco? A four-man splinter group of former Philips employees, the company has been hard at work refining its glasses-free 3D display tech and today some of the earliest fruit of its labor is going on sale. Nissho Electronics in Japan is beginning sales of a 52-inch LCD panel that can pump out full 1080p of 3D vision without requiring any headgear from the viewer. Initially, this big lenticular display will target businesses, who'll be among the few to be able to afford the ¥1.7 million ($20,820) asking price. Other specs include a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response time, 700 nits of brightness, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The 3D on this TV is actually described as a unique "2D + depth" implementation, which can also be used to convert 2D images in real time. Great, now take a zero out of that price, ship it westwards, and watch the sales really take off.
Toshiba's tablet-ready, glasses-free 3D display debuts at SID 2011 (video)
The T-Mobile G-Slate may have a jump on the (red and cyan) 3D tablet market, but we can do better, and while strolling past Toshiba's SID 2011 setup, we may have found the slate of the future's killer component: an 8-inch, glasses-free 3D display. Tablet sized? Yes, indeed. We couldn't get a Toshiba representative to admit the depth perceptive display was destined for any upcoming devices, but we were told that the screen certainly "made sense" for a tablet device. The technology seems to be designed with a smaller form factor in mind, as the firm warned that larger versions of the screen, while possible, would suffer a drop in image quality. At 8-inches however, it looks mighty fine -- although you'll still need to look on from a centered sweet-spot to catch the 3D effect, a plague it shares with its glasses-free brethren. Check out our hands-on video (sans 3D, of course) after the break. %Gallery-123861%
MIT Media Lab develops glasses-free HR3D, supports broad viewing angles (video)
We've already seen plenty of glasses-free 3D HDTVs and portable devices, but a promising new technology called HR3D (High-Rank 3D) has hit the prototype phase. Engineers from MIT's Media Lab, who developed the new solution, say that it avoids compromising on screen brightness, resolution, viewing angle, and battery life, and doesn't require those pesky (and pricey) 3D glasses. HR3D uses a pair of layered LCDs to give the illusion of depth, with the top layer (or mask) displaying a variable pattern based on the image below it, so each eye sees a slightly different picture. Nintendo's 3DS uses a similar technique, but with a parallax barrier instead of a second display. The designers constructed the prototype from two Viewsonic VX2265wm displays, removing the LCDs from their housings and pulling off polarizing filters and films. We've yet to go eyes-on with HR3D, so we're a mite skeptical, but tech this promising is worth watching closely, and from every angle.
Sony Bloggie 3D now available for aspiring James Camerons everywhere
Sure, we'll never see dreams of a 3D Cisco Flip realized, but Sony's offering the next best thing: the Bloggie 3D. The latest addition to the company's line of pocket camcorders was quietly made available this week for $249.99 a pop -- $80 more than the recently released Bloggie Duo HD, because extra dimensions ain't cheap. The camera takes a cue from Nintendo's latest portable, with a 2.4 inch 3D display that eschews the need for glasses. Or, if you're not in the mood to squint and don't mind the eyewear, you can output the video to a 3D-enabled HDTV.
Toshiba Qosmio T851 can do simultaneous 2D and glasses-free 3D, arriving in Japan this July
Glasses-free 3D on your laptop is now just a couple of brief months away. Toshiba has set loose details of its new 15.6-inch Qosmio T851, and this fella promises to not only dispense with the unstylish glasses, but to also give you 2D and 3D imagery at the same time. You'll be able to view content in differing dimensions in neighboring windows (as illustrated above), thanks to the familiar parallax technique -- sending a different image to each eye -- which is here aided by the integrated webcam to track the position of your face in order to deliver the most fittingly angled visuals. There's also integrated 2D to 3D conversion, powered by a dedicated SpursEngine image processor, with Face3D technology automatically recognizing faces and applies a "human depth template" to their features. Aside from Toshi's obsession with faces, there's a GeForce GT540M churning out the graphics, a Core i5-2410M processing processes, up to 8GB of RAM, and a BDXL-reading Blu-ray player. Shipping begins in July, just as soon as the kitchen sink has been fully attached.
