Sharp shows glasses-free 3D
Its prototype no-glasses-necessary 3D displays are smaller than Toshiba's TVs, but impressive, and could be practical for mobile gadgets.
CHIBA, Japan--Toshiba showed us this week what 3D without glasses can look like on a laptop and a TV. But what about screens sized for mobile devices?
That's where Sharp comes in, and with a fairly impressive demo. The Japanese consumer electronics maker has two glasses-free 3D displays here at Ceatec, one measuring 3.8 inches and the other, 10.6. inches. Both are still prototypes--unlike Toshiba's 12- and 20-inch TVs scheduled to hit stores in Japan by the end of the year--but work remarkably well.
The 10.6-inch version had the clearest 3D effect, and a better viewing angle, but both required that you look pretty much straight on at the device and from close range. However because of their size, which are practical for a mobile phone and tablet or smaller laptop, respectively, it works.
Unfortunately, "3D LCD Module without Special Glasses" is even more awkward to say than Toshiba's "Glasses-less 3D TV." Since Sharp's isn't a final product yet, here's hoping its marketing department has something a little more catchy in mind should it ever decide to market the technology.