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Apple intends to enter the 3d technology market with its own brand of 3d glasses aptly nicknamed ‘iSpecs’. The iSpecs allegedly will contain a slot for an Apple iPhone or iPod allowing users to view a projected image on the move. A special lens will perform the necessary trickery to create the 3d effect by splitting the image into two separate frames.

I can foresee two problems with this initial concept of the Apple iSpecs. Firstly, the weight of an Apple iPhone or iPod when slotted into the iSpecs may prove to be uncomfortable. People will expect the 3d glasses to be light-weight and comfortable to wear for long periods, especially if consumers are likely to watch blockbusters such as Avatar using this technology.

Apple iSpecs Concept - 3D Movies on the Move

Secondly, it will be interesting to see how Apple tackles the projection distance problem. The iPhone/iPod will rest merely centimetres from the human eye making it very difficult to view images clearly. The ‘special’ lens will obviously play a part of rendering the image yet I fail to see consumers wearing the iSpecs on the move. The glasses will contain a small camera allowing users to stream live footage from outside the glasses. An infrared system would detect anyone approaching and presumably switch to live footage or alert the wearer that someone may be trying to communicate with them. It all seems a bit science-fiction to me, I struggle to see how someone would want to wear these glasses on the busy streets of London, switching between live footage and watching a film.

Apple filed a patent application in August 2008. Above is a drawing from Apples patent application giving us some idea of how the iSpecs concept could work. It will be interesting to see whether Apple enters the 3d market with the iSpecs, but the innovation showed previously by Apple and with the recent release of the popular iPad, some may see the idea not so farfetched.

Source: Daily Mail – (15/4/10)

During 2009 Cinemas and pubs across the UK experimented with the concept of attracting customers with a new 3-dimension sporting experience. Football and rugby matches were shown in full 3D to give consumers a taste of the future, but how much intent and conviction did the experiment have? Can we expect to see full 3D coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Global sporting events are an excellent proving ground for up and coming technologies. With the inevitable increase of interest in 3D technology the industry’s leading brands will surely aim to stimulate further interest in what could potentially be a slow-burning product on release.

Sony has completed a deal with FIFA to film up to 25 matches from the 2010 World Cup Finals in 3D.

“The transition to 3D is underway, and, we, at Sony, intend to be leaders in every aspect. Our sponsorship of the FIFA World Cup allows us to leverage our cutting-edge 3D technology and premier products with dazzling content to produce a unique and totally compelling viewing experience. 3D viewers around the world will feel as though they are inside the stadiums in South Africa, watching the games in person,” said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman, CEO and President of Sony Corporation.

The summer of 2010 looks set to be an exciting time for football fans that will now be able to enjoy the world’s best players in 3D. Whether the 3D technology will add to the experience is yet to be determined, however it is positive to see two of the world’s largest brands collaborating to provide what could be ground-breaking coverage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

For more information regarding the FIFA and Sony 3D deal, please head over to the FIFA Website.

Samsung 3D TVs do not come packaged with the required 3D Glasses. Consumers will be expected to spend around $150 (£100) per pair before viewing 3D programmes. It is fair to assume most consumers will need to purchase more than one pair of 3D glasses, adding extra expense to the 3D TV price tag.

The glasses are unlike those used in cinemas to view films such as ‘Avatar’ or ‘Up’ and contain liquid crystal lenses. They are battery powered and the active shutter glasses communicate directly with the television alternating between light and dark hundreds of times per second. The 3D glasses are wireless, as expected, but are currently only available in one size posing an inconvenient short-term problem for children wishing to view 3D films and programmes using Samsungs new 3D active shutter glasses.

Competitors will undoubtedly strive to include at least a pair of 3D glasses with television sets in an attempt compete with Samsung’s rapid release into the 3D TV market.

Samsung have announced that the LED TV 9000, 8000 and 7000 series will be supporting the 3D TV technology and are due for release in 2010. More specifically the LED TV 8000 & 7000 series 3D ready TVs will go on general sale in the UK during March 2010. The technology used in the Samsung TVs allows the 3D picture to run in full HD allowing blu-ray compatability and future 3d blu-ray to be utilised.

Rob Shaw, General Manager CTV & Home Platforms, SAMSUNG UK & Ireland says: “3D TV is a key focus for SAMSUNG and we are committed to the continued delivery of this technology to homes in the UK. In 2010 we are delighted to be able to offer the industry’s broadest portfolio of 3D ready TV screen technologies, including LED, LCD & PDP. Our televisions offer incredible picture quality and choice, and coupled with the forthcoming SKY 3D TV service, SAMSUNG customers can look forward to a truly immersive viewing experience.”

The TV includes auto-conversion technology allowing viewers to continue watching normal programmes on their TV in 2D with the added option of rendering the programme into 3D in real time. The forthcoming SKY 3D TV service is due later this year and will only help increase interest in this constantly developing market. Currently it appears users will have to view 3D TV with the aid of special glasses, therefore this early launch will act as a stepping stone towards the glasses-less 3D TVs consumers would like to see in the marketplace.

For more information on Samsungs 3D TV range please follow the link below:
Samsung 3D TV Information

Sony has stopped production of the XEL-1 Organic LED TV in Japan because of slow demand. The display was priced around 200,000 Yen (over $2,000) for an 11 inch ultra-thin screen. Sony will continue to explore the possibility of selling OLED displays in other overseas markets with the intention to become the industry leader for this relatively new technology.

For further information on the Japanese OLED market and Sony’s production head over to Reuters.

Sony’s XEL-1 looks set to become the benchmark for organic light emitting diode televisions. The new tv boasts a 3mm thick screen with a contrast ratio greater than 1,000,000:1. The high contrast ratio results in crystal clear pictures far greater than current HDTVs.

The TV is set to offer two HDMI ports and in-built memory stick slot. A reduction in thickness also means a reduction in weight, with the television weighing just 1.9kg including the tv stand.  OLED tvs provide a greener solution to current tvs. The OLEDs reduce the need for a backlight resulting in a considerable power consumption reduction.

In terms of cost, an 11″ screen will set you back $2500 as with any new technology the price tag is undoubtably high. However, the mass market will expect to see this technology in larger screens at affordable prices, which suggests OLED tvs may be some way off replacing HDTVs.

In terms of how OLED technology works, Sony states that “a layer of organic material is sandwiched between two conductors (an anode and a cathode), which in turn are sandwiched between a glass top plate (seal) and a glass bottom plate (substrate). When electric current is applied to the two conductors, a bright, electro-luminescent light is produced directly from the organic material.” With crystal clear pictures, greener technology and sleek Sony style the XEL-1 is paving the way for the future of televisions.

For further information please head over to the Sony official website:

Sony Organic LED (OLED) TV Information

Currently a work in progress, coming soon Spring 2010.

It is likely that 3D television sets will look similar to current HD or Plasma displays. Recent films such as Avatar and UP have generated interest in 3D technologies. Companies such as Sony and Samsung have begun to display their ‘3D Ready’ tvs, but the question remains over how consumers can view programmes and movies without the currently required glasses. I intend to keep you up to date on the latest discoveries in 3D technology and mass market release dates, but for now I leave you with a flavour for future discussions.

Topics for discussion:

• How will the cost be passed on to consumers?
• Will 3D TVs replace current HDTVs?
• Future sporting events broadcast in 3D

 and many more.