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Microsoft Bypasses Text-Entry Problems

Microsoft Research is trying to get round the problem of text entry on the tiny touchscreens found on smartwatches. It described the problem by explaining that, on a 1.6″ screen, a keyboard with 10 keys would have buttons less than 3mm wide. Because of this, a prototype ‘keyboard’ app (Analog Keyboard) has been developed that … Read more

Gartner: 90% of Mobiles Will be Smartphones by 2018

Tablet growth has slowed enough this year that these products will represent 9.5% of all devices worldwide. Consumers are looking at alternative devices like hybrids and phablets, as well as holding on to their existing tablets for longer. According to Gartner, tablet sales will reach 229 million units globally in 2014: a 11% YoY increase. … Read more

Google’s New Nexus Devices Feature Android L – for Lollipop

Details about Google’s Nexus 6 smartphone were heavily leaked before it was officially announced this month. Even in March (Display Monitor Vol 21 No 9), rumours were appearing online. Now we can see that many of those rumours were true. Motorola produced the Nexus 6, Google having switched from Asus as its manufacturing partner. The … Read more

Low-Cost Mobiles Push On-Cell Touch Growth

Vastly more on-cell TFT LCD touch panels were shipped in the first six months of 2014 than all of 2013. NPD DisplaySearch data shows that total shipments in Q1 and Q2’14 exceeded 20 million, while Q1-Q4’13 reached just 4.7 million. The massive growth is due to the technology’s adoption in the entry- and mid-level smartphone … Read more

Smartphones Drive MEA Handsets to Record Sales

A new record was set for the MEA tablet handset market in Q2 this year, rising 27% YoY to 64 million units. IDC says that most growth came from smartphones, which are rapidly gaining popularity in the region. Smartphone market share jumped 13 percentage points YoY in Q2, to reach 40%. The figure was as … Read more

Smartwatch Adoption Will Accelerate – But No Killer App in Sight

More than 100 million smartwatches will be in use worldwide by 2019, says Juniper Research. In a new report (http://tinyurl.com/qceaqhh), the firm predicts that the next 12-18 months will bring the product category into mainstream consumers’ awareness. Smartwatch differentiation is shifting from hardware to features. These include GPS and NFC connectivity. Juniper believes that these … Read more

Christie Brings Movie Night to Hospital

Christie has donated the components of a small cinema to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) in California. The cinema is intended to show films to children too ill to travel outside of the hospital. It was opened in mid-October, with Christie having provided a DHD555-GS projector, screen and sound system.

DTG’s Keith Hayler Awarded IET Medal

Keith Hayler, of the UK’s Digital Television Group (DTG), has been awarded an Achievement Medal by the Institute of Engineering and Technology. The IET recognised Hayler for his work in advancing digital TV and radio. From beginning his career with the BBC in 1973, Hayler also developed the technical specifications for the world’s first national … Read more

LG Remains EISA Winner for Third Year

LG’s 77″ EC980V (EC9800 outside Europe and an UltraHD OLED TV) has won an award from the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). It was named as the ‘Best Product 2014-2015’ in the high-end TV sub-category. LG’s 55LB870V was also recognised in the Smart TV category. It is expected to start shipping in Germany in … Read more