ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced its innovative new Smart Display, aimed at changing the way people think about computing. The 22" (21.5" Vis.) VSD220 Smart Display pairs a 1920x1080 full-HD resolution monitor with the dual-core, ARM-based OMAP 4 processor from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) and an Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" operating system, resulting in a whole new way to experience the web.

"The VSD220 Smart Display is engineered for today's cloud connected world," said Jeff Volpe, president of ViewSonic Americas. "ViewSonic is embracing the post-PC transition with what will be a full range of connected display solutions. For consumers, the VSD220 is perfect for surfing the web, engaging on social networks and enjoying a world of Android apps. For commercial opportunities, the VSD220 serves as a flexible solution that can address the needs of Android compatible vertical market applications such as signage, hospitality, point of information, and kiosk. Whatever the need, our new Smart Displays are the future of connected computing."

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP and Pearson, Simon, Warshaw & Penny, LLP today announced that a federal court jury this morning found that Toshiba Corporation and its subsidiaries conspired with the world's other leading manufacturers of Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Displays ("TFT-LCDs") to raise and fix the prices of TFT-LCD panels and certain products. The jury awarded damages of $87 million. Federal antitrust law requires the trebling of these damages, resulting in a $261 million award against Toshiba.

Richard M. Heimann, co-lead counsel for plaintiffs, stated, "We are very pleased the jury found in favor of the plaintiffs and found that Toshiba violated the law, particularly in light of the government's decision not to criminally prosecute Toshiba for its misconduct. The case demonstrates once again the critical role our civil justice system plays in holding corporations, no matter how powerful or where they are based in the world, accountable for violating U.S. antitrust laws."

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced four new trade (TAA) compliant VESA mountable displays ideal for corporate, government and education environments -- including the VG2239m-TAA, VG2439m-TAA, VA2251m-TAA and VA2451m-TAA.

"We value our customers, and look to provide them with solution choices that fit their individual needs. As a part of this commitment, we felt it was important to bring our display heritage and expertise to the TAA compliant monitor market to help federal governments get onto GSA Schedule Contracts with a display partner they know and trust," stated Erik Willey, LCD monitor and PC product marketing director at ViewSonic.

Sapphire's growing motherboard lineup as a new entry in the form of the Pure Platinum Z77i. This socket LGA1155 motherboard is based on the Intel Z77 Express chipset, and is built in the super-compact mini-ITX form-factor, making it ideal for gaming PCs that are LAN party-animals. The motherboard is designed to draw power from a 24-pin ATX, and a 4-pin CPU power connector. The LGA1155 socket is powered by a simple 4-phase VRM, which uses ferrite-core chokes and compact driver-MOSFETs. The VRM should be strong enough to handle CPUs that aren't heavily overclocked.

The LGA1155 socket on the Pure Platinum Z77i is wired to a PCI-Express 3.0 x16 slot, and two DDR3 DIMM slots, supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory. The Z77 PCH gives out two internal SATA 6 Gb/s, and two SATA 3 Gb/s ports. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, HDMI, and DisplayPort. There are a total of four USB 3.0 ports, two on the rear panel, two by headers. Rounding off the connectivity are 8-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth.

Come 2013, and PC consumers could finally break the shackles of regressive PC resolution "standards" such as 1366x768 and 1920x1080, if Intel has its way. At a presentation at IDF Beijing, Intel expressed its desire to see much higher resolution displays for all computing devices, not just PCs, which could in true terms be "retina-matched" display resolutions. At an optimal (comfortable) viewing distance, the resolution of a computing device's screen should match that of your eyes.

If Intel has its way, a 21" all-in-one desktop PC, and a 15" notebook PC screen will have a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels; a 13" Ultrabook PC could have a resolution of 2800x1800 pixels, a 11" Ultrabook and 10" tablet with 2560x1440, and 5" handheld/smartphone with 1280x800. Compare these to the $500+ 27" 1920x1080 monitors that are still sold in the market! A very bold proposal, but one only a company with the industry prominence of Intel can pull off.

No, you're not dreaming. The flickery 360-degree 3D displays envisaged in the Star Wars movies now exists as a prototype project from Microsoft. Called the Vermeer Interactive Display, the research project combines Microsoft's Kinect motion sensing technology to allow you to directly 'touch' and interact with the virtual image being projected, which Microsoft describes as a '3D volumetric/light field display'. In essence, it works by creating an image between two facing parabolic mirrors, which then creates the optical illusion of a colour 3D image floating above them, which can be viewed all the way round. So, could this technology eventually be applied to PC gaming giving an immersive interactive experience not seen before? What kind of graphics power would be needed to drive it? The video below gives a fascinating demonstration of this new technology.

Noctua displayed a new low-profile, top-flow CPU cooler prototype, that's capable of low-profile mode with a height of just 66 mm, making it fit for certain slim form-factor ITX cases. The prototype uses a C-type top-flow heatsink, similar to the NH-C14, only much smaller, and thinner. It uses four heat-pipes to convey heat to a dense aluminum fin array. Unlike on the NH-C14, this prototype uses a dual-fan design in which the bottom fan is smaller. While the top-fan is a 120 mm Focused Airflow, while the bottom fan is a 92 mm NF-B9. The cooler can be run in dual-fan mode with both fans installed (cooler height will be 91 mm), or single-fan low-profile mode with the top fan removed (cooler height of 66 mm). A "high-clearance mode" with the bottom fan removed also looks possible.

Dell started adding to its display lineup for fall 2010, the company released four new 16:9 widescreen display models in sizes ranging from 20-inch to 23-inch. The offer starts with the 20-inch IN2020M that has a native resolution of 1600 x 900 pixels; 22-inch ST2220M and ST2220L; and 23-inch ST2320L. These three models are full-HD (1920 x 1080) ready. These monitors have dynamic contrast ratios as high as 8,000,000:1, with response times as low as 5 ms. DVI and D-Sub are standard inputs, while the ST2220L and ST2320L add HDMI input to the mix. Expect these models to reach stores in the weeks to come.

NEC Display Solutions of America, a leading provider of commercial LCD display and projector solutions, announced today the addition of two new models to its E Series, the 46" E461 and 55" E551. This raises NEC's affordable professional display product lineup to include a broad range of sizes from 32" to 55". These entry-level LCD displays provide users with a cost-effective solution for retail stores, waiting rooms and conference rooms.

The new models offer full high-definition 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate setting, increasing the clarity of movement and reducing image blur. Additionally, the E461 and E551 include built-in features, such as an ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner, 12W stereo speakers and detachable swivel stand. With power consumption as low as 210W and full connectivity including 4 HDMI inputs, analog RGB, composite video and S-Video, these new E Series models provide professional performance and a sleek appearance to digital signage users in both corporate and specialty environments.

Matrox Graphics Inc., the leading manufacturer of specialized graphics solutions, today announced multiple DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go Graphics eXpansion Module (GXM) support to drive up to four or six monitors, respectively, from a single system. A second GXM can now be connected to the secondary output of a supported dual monitor graphics card so two DualHead2Go GXMs can power up to four outputs in 2x2 or 4x1 modes, while two TripleHead2Go units can be combined to connect six displays to produce either a 3x2 or 6x1 set up.

"Multi-GXM support offers a tremendous amount of flexibility by simply having to connect the GXMs externally to your system or workstation," says Ron Berty, Business Development Manager, Matrox Graphics. "Business professionals for example, can now conveniently upgrade to a four- or six-monitor workspace to run additional applications for real-time viewing. Additionally, AV specialists can effortlessly build six-screen presentation or digital signage platforms to drive dynamic, digital messaging while benefiting from the natural synchronization of the screens being driven by a single GPU."

LG Display Co., Ltd., a leading innovator of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology, announced the world's first commercial launch of 3D LCD panel boasting full HD resolution. The new product is a 23-inch 3D monitor LCD panel for use with shutter glasses that delivers full HD resolution. It offers picture quality that is almost twice as crisp as HD 3D displays currently available in the market.

The panel adopts the company's proprietary technologies such as "high performance 3D exclusive controller" capable of processing more than twice as much image data as other HD 3D LCDs and "copper bus line" to improve on the resolution and picture quality. In addition, the panel is able to reproduce both 2D and 3D images, meaning that users can switch back and forth from 2D and 3D modes.

ASUS, a leader in the production of LCD monitors, is proud to unveil an array of innovative and energy-efficient LCD monitors that are geared not only to provide convenience to the user, but also protect the environment. These LCD monitors represent a leap forward in LCD manufacturing, and combine contemporary styling and user-centric innovations to deliver uncompromising performance.

Apple on Thursday discontinued its 20-inch Cinema Display, reducing its external display offerings to just two options: the brand new 24-inch Apple LED Cinema model and the old 30-inch Apple Cinema HD display. The 20-inch has already been removed from Apple's online store. AppleInsider also suggests that the 30-inch Apple displays are next to go away.

With immediate effect, the following products are 'End of Life' (EOL); Apple 20" Cinema Display,

All backlog will be cancelled and there is no automatic order conversion.

Apple wrote in a worldwide bulletin to its sales and service channels.

I doubt someone expected this to happen so quickly, but Samsung's recently covered 23-inch 2342BWX high-resolution LCD display won't be the only one on the market for long, because Dell is also getting ready to ship the brand new SP2309 soon. Just like the Samsung, Dell's upcoming LCD will boast the remarkable 2048x1152 QWXGA resolution on a 23-inch 16:9 viewable display size. The remaining specs include dynamic contrast ratio of 1000:1, 300 cd/m² brightness, 98% color gamut, 2ms response time, 2-megapixel camera with microphone and VGA/DVI and HDMI inputs. The Dell SP2309 should start selling later this month. It's price is estimated at around $419.99.

Dell has silently launched one more slave up its LCD monitor line-up, the 23-inch Dell S2309W. Base specs of this 23-incher reveal a 1920x1080 wide resolution, making it Dell's second 16:9 full HD display after S2409W. Response time is measured to be 5ms, brightness is 300 cd/m2, and contrast ratio is 1,000:1. The S2309W connects to the PC via DVI or analog VGA. It follows the new trend by matching the resolution found on modern TVs, so you may think this would be the perfect choice for movie lovers, if it did not lack HDMI connectivity for some reason. The display is currently only on Dell's Canadian site here. There is no information on pricing and availability yet.

In the quest to replace LED technology, Sony recently dropped ¥22 billion (£105 million/€140 million/$205 million) on OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panel production. The large sum of cash will be spent upon "middle and large size OLED panel production technology", and plans on having something operational by April 2009. Most of the research and production will be done at Sony Mobile Display Corporation's factory in Japan. Once Sony does have an operational product, and a lot of them, they will hopefully implant them in just about everything involving a screen coming out of Sony's factory doors. OLED technology is, at this point, known for being extremely thin and obscenely expensive. If all goes well, Sony will negate the latter.

Microsoft and Mitsubishi are taking handheld PC's to the next level. LucidTouch, as the technology is called, allows users to control the touch screen PC with both hands, while previous touch-screens required some form of support (usually a hand) to hold the touch-screen up. LucidTouch technology poses a rather interesting question: Where is the PC part of the touch-screen PC going? Any manufacturer using LucidTouch will have to take low-profile to a new level, and somehow cram all the important hardware to the sides of the screen.

ASUS has launched the latest offering in the LCD market - the ASUS PG221 LCD monitor. The ASUS PG221 is a 22-inch widescreen which incorporates a stylish and innovative industrial design with integrated audio speakers, rich video inputs and USB 2.0 support that turn the PG221 into an ideal multimedia display center. The 22-inch 16:10 widescreen LCD monitor features 1680x1050 WSXGA+ resolution, 320 nits brightness, 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio thanks to the ASCR (ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio) Technology and 2ms response time. The PG221 has built-in 1.3MP web-cam and 2.1 channel stereo speakers that include 10W satellite speakers and a military-styled 15W subwoofer tank-box at the rear. The ASUS PG221 is also able to support a 6.1-CH surround sound system with SRS TruSurround XT Technology. For further information, read the product page here.

Dell has updated its 24-inch 2407WFP widescreen monitor with the introduction of the 2407WFP-HC LCD model. The new 2407WFP-HC features Dell's TrueColor technology, 1920x1200 (WUXGA) resolution, 6ms response time, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 image brightness, 178°/178° viewing angle and a new W-CCFL (wide cold-cathode florescent lighting) backlight. Although, the specs and features appear to remain unchanged the updated 2407WFP-HC LCD panel now covers 92% of the NTSC color gamut, just like the 3007WFP-HC big brother. Orders of the new Dell 2407WFP-HC start tommorow in Japan with a MSRP of ¥108,000 or around USD $875.

Sony is the first company to show off 24-bit color flexible OLED. It features a contrast ratio of "above" 1000:1, is 2.5-inch large with a resolution of 160 x 120 pixels. It can easily be bent, as it is just 0.3 mm thick. Just do not expect this technology to hit retail any time soon.

LG.Philips LCD [NYSE: LPL, KRX: 034220], a leading innovator of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology, announced today that it developed the world's first 14.1-inch flexible color E-paper display, equivalent in size to an A4 sheet of paper. This is a second breakthrough in E-paper for LG.Philips LCD, which introduced the world's first 14.1-inch black and white flexible E-paper display in May 2006.

With Toshiba developing the world's largest OLED display, Sony has now revealed that it is set to begin production of its first OLED TV later this year. At just 11" and 1024 x 600 pixels, the screen size and resolution don't seem too impressive, but this screen will have 8-bits of colour per channel as well as a amazing 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio - not mentioning that it's only 3mm thick. Obviously this means it won't be the ultimate home cinema screen, but it still looks promising for future OLED products once the technology moves forwards. Pricing and availability are still unclear, but this should hit the shelves sometime in 2007.

Samsung Electronics today announced it will begin producing a 24-inch LCD panel with an LED backlight. The LED-backlit monitor panel has an color saturation level of 111% (of NTSC standard), compared to a saturation level of only 72% of NTSC for conventional monitors and will satisfy consumers used to the crisp colors prevalent in high-definition (HD) broadcasting, according to Samsung. The new monitor display also features Samsung's S-PVA (Super Patterned-ITO Vertical Alignment) technology that provides the widest viewing angle possible -180 degrees - at high contrast ratio over 1000:1. It also supports 1920x1200 WUXGA resolution, which is the computer equivalent to full HD resolution.

Toshiba Matsushita Display (TMD) has developed the world's largest 20.8-inch low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel to advance to the next-generation of flat-screen TV sets and monitors. The new 20.8-inch OLED display has been developed based on LTPS technology, which TMD has been continually refining, and an electroluminescent coating process, which is advantageous for larger display screen sizes. The three (RGB) color-emitting layers use polymer organic electroluminescent materials, and an ink-jet type coating process is adopted for coating of each color. These have contributed to achieving a large screen size of 20.8-inch and would enable the expansion of potential applications of large-size OLED panels, which have been conventionally limited to smaller size screens. The newly developed panel will be exhibited in TMD's booth at the 3rd International FPD Expo (Display 2007) at Tokyo Big Sight from April 11 through April 13, 2007.

A new technology called Laser TV could soon be in stores competing against plasma and LCD televisions if California based company Novalux has its way with things. The new laser TVs is designed to be used for either front/rear projection and because it can be used in current rear-projection cabinets it should be cheaper to produce. Not only will it cost less than LCD and plasma, it also boasts double the colour range and uses three-quarters less power, which should attract those who are after the best image quality available. However, the downside of laser technology remains in the design of rear-projection TVs: because of the way they work, they have a much deeper profile than LCD or Plasma TVs, so they are not ideal for hanging on walls. Sony's prototype laser TV (shown below on the left) is estimated to have a depth of between 8" and 10", whilst even large LCD displays are under 5". Novalux already has four designs ready and is in discussions with numerous OEMs, with the company hoping to see the technology go on sale in 2008.