IFA 2010: Sharp: Tiny No-Glasses 3D Display

Sharp is very proud of its glasses-free 3D display that measures just four inches across, and even sees it at the heart of mobile devices in the future.

After it rapidly became a hit thanks to its presence in the Nintendo 3DS, Sharp's mini glasses-free panel is back in the limelight with an impressive demo at the IFA.  The company has fitted one in a camera that's hardly any bigger than a smartphone which has two independent sensors.




Sharp's digital camera is only a prototype of what's technically possible, but it proves that you can take photos in 3D and look at them straight away without needing to rely on bulky glasses.  And it really does work: the 3.4'' display displays an image with real depth.  The sensors can also allow you to look at the world in 3D on the screen without taking a photo.  Just hold it up to the world around you and you'll get a live preview of the world in three dimensions.



Of course, like with the Nintendo 3DS, this is not a technology that you can share easily with your friends: because of the way it works, you have to be at a distance of around 30 cm from the display to be able to see the 3D effects.  There is, though, an HDMI output to enjoy your photos on a bigger display ... but for that, you will need glasses.



Sharp's latest demo is a lot more than just a gadget: it proves that the Japanese manufacturer has mastered 3D technology.  It's slated to be built into the next generation of smartphones-but only on the Japanese market for the time being.


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