Future Looks Bright for Notebook Displays

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,107156,tk,dn112002X,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/news/article...n112002X,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>This Gallium nitride sounds like impressive stuff - and if it has an impact on laptop screens, one would assume we'd see that trickle down to PDA screens. I wonder if this technology is complimentary or competitive with OLED technology?<br /><br />"GaN will be the most efficient light source on the planet," DenBaars said. As an example of what can be achieved, he showed off a GaN flashlight which he said can last 100 hours on a set of batteries that would last just 20 hours in a typical flashlight. The technology has also been tested in auto headlights. In addition, because of the kind of light it can produce, a GaN light source also allows for displays that show more colors, he said. A GaN light source also can last longer than a fluorescent source because it's purely solid state--it's just a crystal, DenBaars said.<br /><br />Today, a GaN backlight for a typical 14-inch notebook display costs about $100 to make, he said. Within a few years, that cost should fall to become comparable with current fluorescent lights. GaN shows promise as an efficient, long-lasting backlight technology, said Peter Glaskowsky, principal analyst at In-Stat/MDR, in San Jose, California. LED backlights like those made with GaN probably will initially be easier for manufacturers to use in handheld displays, because lighting a whole notebook LCD from diodes around the edge is a challenge, he added."

[vincentsiaw]

make this thing availale for house lightning system, and we'll safe a lot of electrict bill!

[mookie123]

make this thing availale for house lightning system, and we'll safe a lot of electrict bill!

ah, but people has started selling those already. (1-5Watt LED!)I think each LED costs in the range of tens of dollars. There are a couple of outfit selling service to instal large scale LED lighting already. The future night sky will be disturbingly colorfull, worst than Vegas on speed.

here is an amateur LED museum, got plenty of links and blurb about this giant LED.

http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/2000.htm

[ECOslin]

The future is bright.

I've been using an LED Rave'n flashlight for a couple of years with the green amber red and blue leds(that combine for a white light). Neat.

Edward

[st63z]

LED flashlights anyone? :)

http://botachtactical.com/micolights.html

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1546913#post1546913

[mookie123]

damned imagine when you were a kid having all these LED flashlight. You don't have to rewire the house to make the make the little lamp so you can sneak reading at nite under the blanket. Kids these days having it easy.

:lol:

[ECOslin]

st63z: I looked at the Brookstone. I think that one's too large for my pocket, I do like the other one, below.(http://botachtactical.com/micolights.html

I want to see what one of the GaN flashlights looks like. Sounds as if it's got the same battery usage as my 3 AA Rave'n.
http://www.techass.com/el/raven/rv2.jpg
All of these other new LED things are starting to make my boxy Rave'n look old, which it is.

Edward

http://botachtactical.com/lib/botach/aspmulticl

[st63z]

Yeah I've bought LEDs from Botach Tactical in the past. I think they also sell other types of lights, this might be more general:

http://botachtactical.com/flashlights2.html

Anyways, I too just want the smallest/lightest possible combination keyring organizer + LED microlight. You know, the ones with one-touch attach/detach keyrings on a slide swivel track (so you can give out your car key w/o giving your house key at the same time). But so far none of the combos I've tried can match the best stand-alone LED microlights (of which I also have many). But darn, I didn't think about the ASP Sapphire 'till you mentioned it just now. I suppose you can also attach multiple keyrings to its triangular clip and still be able to take out an individual keyring easily... Heck I guess you can do that too with other lights like the Inova Micro-Light. In fact I have a sample of both, why didn't I think of this earlier...

[st63z]

Great now I can't seem to find my ASP. I need to organize my stuff...

But from what I recall it doesn't have a constant on/off switch, just pressure release button...

[ECOslin]

Fine, it's just for a keychain fob, just to have it if...


Another subject: The Inova looks neat:
http://us.st3.yimg.com/store5.yimg.com/I/botach_1714_43208270
LED Technology - Five 110,000+ hour super bright light emitting diode lamps have been recessed into the INOVA X5's patented head to project a brilliant flood of pure white light over 120' effective range. The pure white light allows you to see Real Color at night.

Power Technology - The INOVA X5 is powered by two lithium batteries that have a shelf life of 10 years and drive enough power through the LEDs so they are visible over two miles away in shaded or dark conditions.

Aircraft Grade Aluminum Technology - All INOVA X5s are made on state-of-the-art CNC machinery in America out of solid metal bars for strength and extreme manufacturing tolerances. This solid bar construction makes the INOVA X5 virtually indestructible. Drive a car over the aluminum model... it does not matter. And, as if that is not enough, the INOVA X5 is completely waterproof to 150-Feet. MADE IN USA$37US

Edward

[st63z]

^ I have the original X5, not this new X5MT Tactical version (which looks simply awesome, must get!). The original X5's good, but would've preferred the pure white LED.

For standard alkaline-powered mid/full-size lights, the Lightwave 3000/4000 also look good. Been using/giving out Lightwave 2000's as cheap but bright flashlights...

For mini flashlights, stay away from CMG's original Infinity ( http://botachtactical.com/cmgintaslig.html ). Very, very long life (41hrs claimed) from a single AA alkaline, but not bright at all...

For plain microlights there are always the classic Photons.

[revolution.cx]

The new iPaqs have white LED backlights. Canon has been using white LEDs to backlight the displays of their compact digital cameras for some time.

[Merlion]

Fine, it's just for a keychain fob, just to have it if...
Another subject: The Inova looks neat:
http://us.st3.yimg.com/store5.yimg.com/I/botach_1714_43208270
$37US

Edward
This Inova is selling at Super Target or WalMart (can't remember which) for quite a bit cheaper .. almost bought it onetime.

[Merlion]

The new iPaqs have white LED backlights. Canon has been using white LEDs to backlight the displays of their compact digital cameras for some time.
Yeah, but I didn't hear people making a big deal of it, although I think it is a big deal as a significant advantage of the H5450's screen. Read here for more info: www.sharpsma.com/sma/news/111802a

[revolution.cx]

Just pointing out that they are already in use some places and certainly are a welcome technological advance.

Thanks for that link. 480 mw still seems like an awful lot. I would look into seeing how much of that is from the LEDs but I don't have the time right now.