At a flat-panel display exhibition in Yokohama, Japan, Chimei Innolux (CMI) demonstrated the world's first 4.3in 3D 720p smartphone display. The display utilises 3D Cell-Matrix Parallax Barrier technology from MasterImage 3D, offering a glasses-free experience.
Aside from being the first 720p 3D display of this size, the device uses "Cell gap" technology; as you move off-angle from the screen, instead of experiencing the trademark, headache-inducing, blurry 3D image, typical on all current glasses-free mobile devices, you receive a standard, clear, 2D image up to almost a 180-degree viewing angle.
Whilst still not the perfect solution, at least this technology removes the dizzying experience found in current devices and enables acceptable multi-user viewing, albeit in 2D. This writer is still holding out hopes for autostereoscopic displays that employ eye tracking, as in theory these displays would work well given the personal and close-quarters one-to-one usage we have with our smartphones.
Also thanks to Cell gap, the device claims to provide superior brightness and ghost-free performance, with both horizontal and vertical 3D modes a possibility. What's interesting is that MasterImage 3D's technology is resolution and LCD/LED type independent, though it does rely on TN panel technology; we may very well see these 3D panels employed on HD OLED screens in the future, a serious enabler for mass-market penetration.
