The Display Industry News Source 10.28.11

New Video by Microsoft Showcases Futuristic Integration of Mobile Devices, Touchscreens and Our Daily Lives (Video Above) - via MobileBeat

Touch Tablet Technology is the Hot New Dish for Restaurant Industry - "It is hard to deny the growing interest in tablet technology in today's foodservice industry. Savvy operators will turn the trendy technology into a management tool that allows them to better understand which menu items are moving, enhance and monitor guest experiences, how to better deploy labor and more. While tablet readers first gained momentum in the nightlife and bar industry, this tableside ordering technology has since moved into the foodservice realm. Technology companies report successes particularly among the casual dining sector and see potential in the college and university segment." via FES Magazine

SMK Unveils New Capacitive Touchscreen That Works With Gloved Hands - "SMK's (screens) are specifically designed for dash panel systems in cars. With more and more functions being centralized there, access at any time is important and many people wear gloves while they drive. Resistive screens avoid this problem but lose out on sensitivity in general. This new screen, which will first appear in 6.5" versions but can be made larger, might be the best of both worlds." via TechCrunch

Pixtronix and CMI Team-Up to Develop 5" Diagonal MEMS Display Prototype - "The new 5-inch diagonal displays offer the lowest power consumption at the best image quality for all applications, achieving over 135% NTSC color gamut, greater than 170 degree view angles, more than 3000:1 contrast ratio and 24-bit color depth, all at a 75% average power reduction versus LCD displays." via MarketWatch

Panasonic to Focus on Smaller LCD Panels due to Low Demand for TV's - "According to Nikkei, domestic demand for TV's plunged after the termination of government subsidies for energy-efficient home appliances, pushing down the price of large LCD panels. Panasonic plans to gradually increase production of tablet-sized LCD panels to half the output at its plant in Hyogo Prefecture. The company will shift its focus from TV LCD panel operations to 50" and larger panels, which have healthier margins." via Reuters