LCD

mobile
October 1, 2012
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Sharp starts production of 5-inch smartphone displays with 1080p resolution

By on October 1, 2012 at 10:05 AM.

Sharp starts production of 5-inch smartphone displays with 1080p resolution

Sharp 5-inch 1080p LCD

Sharp (SHCAY) announced on Monday it has begun production for the next generation of smartphone LCD panels. Measuring at 5-inch in diagonal width with a 443 pixel per inch (PPI) density, Sharp’s new LCDs will sport a whopping full-HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. Sharp says the new display uses “CG-Silicon technology” to fit “the same number of pixels in a smartphone-size screen as there are in a full-HD LCD TV.” Google (GOOG) is rumored to be partnering up with HTC (2498) to build the 5-inch Nexus smartphone with a 1080p resolution display. Aside from the Oppo Find 5 that uses a 5-inch 1080p LCD, most smartphones and “phablets” usually top out at 720p (1280 x 720 resolution). Sharp’s new LCDs will usher in a new age of visual clarity on smartphones. More →

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Legal
July 12, 2012
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Toshiba and LG settle LCD price-fixing scandal for half a billion dollars

By on July 12, 2012 at 9:40 PM.

Toshiba and LG settle LCD price-fixing scandal for half a billion dollars

Toshiba LG Price-Fixing Scandal Settlement

Toshiba, LG and AU Optronics have agreed to pay a combined sum of $571 million to settle a lawsuit over a liquid crystal display price-fixing scandal, Reuters reported. According to San Francisco attorney Joseph Alioto, who was the co-lead counsel for consumers suing the companies, $543.5 million will be awarded to at least 20 million consumers in 24 states, while $27.5 million will be paid as civil penalties to eight state governments. Seven other LCD manufacturers had reached an earlier settlement of $538.5 million. The class action suit alleged that from 1996 through 2006, numerous companies conspired to fix LCD prices, which resulted in higher prices on various electronics such as laptops and television sets. Several companies also pleaded guilty to separate criminal charges and paid undisclosed fines. More →

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Business
April 2, 2012
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Samsung Display spin-off opens its doors

By on April 2, 2012 at 7:35 AM.

Samsung Display spin-off opens its doors

Samsung Electronics on Monday announced that its display panel spin-off is now operational. The company said in February that it would separate its struggling LCD business from the rest of the company and form Samsung Display Co., Ltd. The subsidiary opened its doors Monday morning and it will commence operations with roughly $6.6 billion in financing from parent company, Samsung Electronics. ”We will make Samsung Display a well-respected company through continuous efforts to supply a wide variety of customized products that provide great value to our customers,” newly named Samsung Display CEO Donggun Park said. ”By continually staying one step ahead of our competitors, we can make our company the very best in the display market.” Samsung’s full press release follows below. More →

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Business
February 20, 2012
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Samsung spins off struggling LCD business

By on February 20, 2012 at 8:00 AM.

Samsung spins off struggling LCD business

Samsung on Monday announced that it will spin off its LCD display panel manufacturing business. Tentatively named Samsung Display Co., Ltd., the new company will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics and it will launch with approximately $6.6 billion in initial capital when it officially breaks off from Samsung-proper on April 1st, 2012. ”This split LCD business is the speed of your business can be secured to the diverse needs of Customers.Therefore were able to respond quickly,” said Donggun Park, EVP of Samsung’s LCD business, in a statement. “Business competitiveness to our customers advanced products and a step I will try to provide technology and services.” More →

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mobile
February 8, 2012
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Leaked iPad 3 parts suggest larger battery, 4G LTE, and Retina Display in same form factor as iPad 2

By on February 8, 2012 at 4:40 PM.

Leaked iPad 3 parts suggest larger battery, 4G LTE, and Retina Display in same form factor as iPad 2

The next-generation iPad will feature a larger battery and a new camera, according to RepairLabs. The website obtained what it claims to be the rear shell of the upcoming iPad 3 from an industry insider in China. After examining the shell and comparing it to an iPad 2 case, RepairLabs noticed the mounts for the logic board were quite different, meaning the board itself will likely be a different shape. The rear case also apparently reveals that the iPad 3 will include a larger battery pack, in line with earlier rumors. The device is also expected to have a “different camera” as well, and the site suggests the front display will also be new. There has been speculation that the next-generation iPad would be slightly thicker, but the site claims that could be false after examining the rear case. Apple is expected to unveil the iPad 3 next month. More →

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Business
December 27, 2011
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Samsung, Sharp and others to pay $553 million fine for LCD price-fixing scheme

By on December 27, 2011 at 8:05 PM.

Samsung, Sharp and others to pay $553 million fine for LCD price-fixing scheme

Samsung, Sharp, Innolux Corp, Hitachi, HannStar Display Corp, Chungwha Picture Tubes and Epson Imaging Devices Corp will pay a total of $553 million to settle accusations that the firms participated in an LCD price-fixing scheme. The price fixing resulted in inflation of display prices at the benefit of all companies involved, but at the cost of consumers. “This price-fixing scheme manipulated the playing field for businesses that abide by the rules, and left consumers to pay artificially higher costs for televisions, computers and other electronics,” New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. The United States, European Union, South Korea and Japan began investigating the seven companies in December 2006, Reuters said, and executives and other firms have already paid as much as $890 million in fines. Settlement papers filed with the U.S. District Court in San Francisco ask Samsung to pay $240 million, the largest fine levied against any of the firms involved. Nokia also filed a lawsuit against several, but not all, of the aforementioned firms in 2009 alleging that the companies were purposely driving up display prices for screens used in Nokia smartphones. More →

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Business
December 26, 2011
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Samsung to buy Sony’s share of S-LCD joint venture for $940 million

By on December 26, 2011 at 9:01 AM.

Samsung to buy Sony’s share of S-LCD joint venture for $940 million

Samsung will purchase Sony’s 50% share of S-LCD, a joint venture created by both companies in 2004, for $939.6 million. Both companies will continue to cooperate on the development of new LCD panel technology, however, and Sony says it hopes to “secure a flexible and steady supply” of LCD panels from Samsung moving forward. “With whole ownership of S-LCD, Samsung anticipates heightened flexibility, speed and efficiency in both panel production and business operations,” Samsung said in the statement. Samsung expects the purchase to be finalized by the end of January 2012 pending approval from regulatory authorities. The full press release follows after the break. More →

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Tablets
September 9, 2011
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LG fixes iPad 2 display issues and boosts panel shipments

By on September 9, 2011 at 7:45 PM.

LG fixes iPad 2 display issues and boosts panel shipments

In early August, we reported that Apple started boosting its iPad 2 display panel orders with Samsung after LG’s panels failed to meet the iPad maker’s quality requirements. DigiTimes said on Friday that LG has addressed the quality issues and has now boosted its shipments back to their original levels. The South Korea-based company reportedly shipped 4 million 9.7-inch iPad 2 panels during the month of August, up from the 2.4-2.5 million it shipped in July, and it is expected to maintain its current volume through September. Taiwan Economic News said Foxconn-owner Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. has boosted its projected iPad 2 shipments for the third quarter to 20 million units, although DigiTimes said Apple is expected to ship 12-15 million iPad 2 devices. More →

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mobile
August 17, 2011
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Apple may invest $1 billion in Sharp LCD factory for iPhone, iPad displays

By on August 17, 2011 at 8:45 PM.

Apple may invest $1 billion in Sharp LCD factory for iPhone, iPad displays

Apple may invest $1 billion in a Sharp LCD factory to ensure adequate production of screens for its iPhone and iPad, according to MF Global FXA Securities analyst David Rubenstein. Apple typically buys its LCD displays from Samsung, LG and Chimei Innolux, although recent reports have suggested the iPhone maker has boosted its orders with Samsung after LG failed to meet iPad 2 display requirements. However, Apple’s recent legal battles with Samsung in the United States, the European Union and Australia could be why the company is looking to invest in other manufacturers. “If the situation escalates into a state of war, this could mean a huge shift in orders,” a source told Reuters, suggesting that Apple could give larger orders to Elpida Memory and Toshiba. Sharp is expected to provide the LCD displays for Apple’s sixth-generation iPhone, which is expected to launch next year. More →

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Tablets
July 18, 2011
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Apple testing Retina displays from LG and Samsung for next iPad

By on July 18, 2011 at 3:10 PM.

Apple testing Retina displays from LG and Samsung for next iPad

Apple has started to test 2048 x 1536 resolution displays from LG and Samsung, both of which have secured deals to provide the iPad maker with LCD parts, Korea Times reported on Monday. “Apple’s upcoming iPad 3 will feature an improved display to support quad extended graphics (QXGA), a display resolution of 2048×1536 pixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio to provide full high definition (HD) viewing experience,” a source told the Korean news outlet. The source refers to the tablet as the “iPad 3″ and not the “iPad HD,” or “iPad Pro” which other rumors have suggested the device will be called. Apple typically uses Samsung displays and flash storage in its devices, but a flurry of recent lawsuits have pushed Apple to pursue different component suppliers. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), for example, will provide flash memory for Apple’s next-generation iPhone and iPad products. One unnamed Samsung senior official commented on Samsung’s relationship with Apple: “We aren’t affected significantly by Apple’s changing approach,” the official told Korea Times. “Apple is first and foremost about product quality, and while it may find other manufacturers to provide customized chips for its new products, the same can’t be said about LCDs.” More →

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Business
July 11, 2011
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Apple could ditch Samsung as a parts supplier following patent battle

By on July 11, 2011 at 5:00 PM.

Apple could ditch Samsung as a parts supplier following patent battle

Apple could cut Samsung from its list of part suppliers, an arrangement that is worth as much as $5 billion for Samsung, one analyst has suggested. “They have become more competitors and less partners and so I think Apple will definitely not be looking to Samsung as its go-to partner-of-choice for NAND flash,” Brian Marshall, a Gleacher & Co. analyst told The Globe and Mail. Apple could instead choose to get its NAND flash products from other companies, such as Hynix Semiconductor, Micron, and Toshiba. Similarly, if Apple were to bail on Samsung as a parts provider, the iPhone maker could look to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (TSMC) or Intel for processors, but it would also need to find another provider for LCDs. Samsung and Apple have been locked in multiple legal battles since Apple accused Samsung of creating “copycat” devices and sought to block the import of its products in the United States. More →

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Tablets
July 8, 2011
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Amazon could ship 1-1.2 million tablets during third quarter, report says

By on July 8, 2011 at 8:01 AM.

Amazon could ship 1-1.2 million tablets during third quarter, report says

According to a new report from DigiTimes, Amazon is expected to ship a “conservative” 1-1.2 million of its new tablets during the third quarter — a time frame that’s in line with earlier reports that the online retailer would get its unannounced tablet out the door by August. Reportedly, orders from Amazon are the most positive of all tablet-builders so far, and the company is expected to demand as many as 2 million touch panel displays in August and September. While very little is known about Amazon’s tablet — or possibly tablets — we have heard that it is prepping an entry level model codenamed “Coyote,” with an NVIDIA Tegra 2 chip, as well as a second more powerful “Hollywood” model that’s powered by NVIDIA’s new quad-core T30 “Kal-El” processor, which offers a 500% performance increase over Tegra 2. Amazon already has a number of services that will compliment a tablet perfectly, such as Cloud Drive, Cloud Player, Amazon MP3, Unbox streaming videos, Kindle, and more — all of which will no doubt help it stir up the current tablet market. More →

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Business
July 7, 2011
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Samsung profits slide 26% amid poor display sales

By on July 7, 2011 at 10:01 PM.

Samsung profits slide 26% amid poor display sales

Samsung’s profits fell 26% during the second quarter due to poor sales in its LCD display division, according to a report the company released today. The firm’s operating profits were $3.5 billion for the quarter, down from $4.7 billion from the same period last year. According to a survey from Bloomberg that included six analysts, the Korean company’s display arm is expected to post an operating loss of 3.5 billion won ($69 million), down from an 880 billion won ($827.2 million) profit during the second quarter of 2010. Earlier this week, the head of Samsung’s combined LCD and semiconductor business, Kwon Oh-hyun, confirmed that Samsung’s component sales would suffer during the second quarter. That business could suffer more as Samsung continues to fight multiple lawsuits with its largest LCD buyer, Apple, and rumors have suggested the iPhone builder could drop Samsung as a supplier. “Only the phone business is holding up,” Kim Sung In, an analyst with Kiwoom Securities Co. told Bloomberg. “Everything else is looking bad. There’s no bright picture for the company looking ahead.” More →

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