SAMSUNG SAYS GLASS-LESS 3D TV AT LEAST 10 YEARS OFF

Despite Toshiba having glasses-less 3DTVs on the market already, Samsung's spoken out about the future of 3DTV by saying "attempts to put glasses-free 3DTV to market within the next 10 years will be difficult." Uh-oh.

Samsung elaborated by explaining that they have the means and know-how to make glasses-less 3DTV, "however it can only be viewed from a few viewing spots." Preferring instead to launch glasses-less 3DTV that works like the current range of 3DTVs, sans glasses of course, Samsung had said they'd prefer to wait until they can "deliver 3D to at least 32 viewing spots." One of their prototypes they showed off recently had just nine spots.

"We believe that creating a prototype for lab-grade glasses-free 3D TV, broadcasting system and display will take about five years. For mass commercialization to become possible, manufacturing costs must come down and TV broadcasters will have to upgrade infrastructure, which includes securing transmission bandwidth."

Toshiba's foray into glasses-less 3DTV hasn't gone so well so far. Setting themselves a target of selling 1,000 units in the first month, they fell short by more than half. This could be down to the size of the sets, which were a comical 12 and 20-inches.

RUMOR: APPLE RELEASING 3D DISPLAY DEVICE

According to a new rumor Monday morning, the company’s entry make take place sooner than expected. Japanese enthusiast blog Kanteidan Blog claims Apple is ready to start building small 3D displays that may be included in the next-generation iPod touch. The displays would not need special glasses to operate, and would instead rely on glasses-free 3D technologies like motion and head tracking in order to create a 3D effect. Kanteidan Blog speculates that gaming will be a major focus for the upcoming 3D technology making its way to the iPod touch. If true, the news could spell trouble for Nintendo, which is expected to announce the U.S. launch of its Nintendo 3DS portable gaming console later this week. Apple is known to have been exploring 3D technology for quite some time, and the company owns several patents that cover 3D. No real evidence suggests that Apple is ready to implement 3D into its upcoming devices, however. [BGR]

JAPAN EMBRACING 3D TECHNOLOGY

Tokyo-based researchers BCN, cited by CrunchGear, report that a cool 57 percent of all Blu-ray recorders sold in Japan last month had 3D playback functionality built in, while 23 percent of all 40-inch-plus TVs sold had the ability to relay stereoscopic imagery. Both those numbers are major leaps in popularity within the nation itself and also easily dwarf penetration rates for 3D hardware in other parts of the world. 3D has apparently grown a lot more affordable in Japan, but lest you think these data are just a symptom of people upgrading their equipment without regard to its third-dimension skills, word is that there's still a chunky 30 percent premium associated with adding 3D to your BR recorder purchase. So, it would seem the trendsetting Japanese are leading from the front on this one.

APPLE SEES 3D AND HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS AS NEXT FRONTIER

According to The Telegraph, Apple has recently been granted a patent for a system to produce 3D effects with the need for glasses. Apple's system uses a special screen dotted with tiny pixel-sized domes that deflect images taken from slightly different angles into the right and left eye of the viewer.

By presenting images taken from slightly different angles to the right and left eye, this creates a stereoscopic image that the brain interprets as three-dimensional. It could be used in computer monitors, televisions and cinema screens.

Apple also proposes using 3D imaging technology to track the movements of multiple viewers and the positions of their eyes so that the direction the image is deflected by the screen can be subtly adjusted to ensure the picture remains sharp and in 3D.

The patent claims this technology would also create images that appear to be holographic because of the ability to track the observers movements.
It states: "An exceptional aspect of the invention is that it can produce viewing experiences that are virtually indistinguishable from viewing a true hologram.
"Such a "pseudo-holographic" image is a direct result of the ability to track and respond to observer movements.

"By tracking movements of the eye locations of the observer, the left and right 3D sub-images are adjusted in response to the tracked eye movements to produce images that mimic a real hologram.

"The invention can accordingly continuously project a 3D image to the observer that recreates the actual viewing experience that the observer would have when moving in space around and in the vicinity of various virtual objects displayed therein. This is the same experiential viewing effect that is afforded by a hologram.

"It allows the observer, for example, to move around a virtual object and top observe multiple sides from different angles."

Most of the current technology requires viewers to where some type of special glasses to see the 3D effect. Apple's patent, however, has now raised speculation that the computer giant may be aiming to branch into the 3D domain by looking to abolish the need for glasses and even go further by offering the chance for holographic films.

Holographic movies, however, would require new filming techniques currently not being used by the movie industry to ensure actors are filmed from multiple angles.

Initially the holographic displays may be used for computers and the patent suggests a solution to allow users to walk around an object without ever having to go behind a screen.
It proposes using "holographic acceleration" – where the image moves faster relative to the observers' own movement so they would only need to walk in a small arc to see all the way around the holographic object.

Leander Kahney, a consumer technology expert and author of the Cult of Mac, said: "At present, Apple seems an unlikely company to get into the 3D TV business, which is struggling, but if Apple cracks the technology it could help make 3D the dominant display technology. It certainly does away with the biggest problem – the 3D glasses. [The Telegraph]

AVATAR 3D NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 2012 UNLESS YOU BUY A PANASONIC

Waiting to buy the 3D version of Avatar? Well, you will have to wait until after February 2012, Yes, 2012. Panasonic has exclusive rights of distribution to the 3D version until then.

You can still get non-flat version, but you will need to purchase a Panasonic 3DTV or Blu-Ray player. [Gizmodo]

APPLE PATENTS GLASS-LESS 3D SYSTEM

One of the biggest complaints of current 3D systems is the mandatory use of glasses to achieve the 3D effect. Apple has just received a patent a new glass-less 3D system. The system would allow multiple people to view the images from any angle without distortion. Basically the system works like this:

[E]ach pixel would be projected onto a reflective, textured surface, which is then bounced into a viewer's left and right eye separately, producing the 3D, or stereoscopic, effect. [The system] would sense the locations of both eyes of each viewer, so multiple people could watch from a variety of angles.

This is just a patent and some good ideas at this time and if Apple is able to create the system there is no guarantee they would bring it to market. [CNET]

ACER UNVEILS 3D LAPTOP

Wondering when computer makers would follow the lead of television manufacturers and get around to making an affordable 3D computer? Acer has just announced just such a laptop, the Acer AS5745DG-A54E/L (great name Acer, everyone will remember that one....NOT!)

The 3D notebook will feature a 15.6-inch screen, an NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M GPU with NVIDIA’s 3D VISION at 120Hz, a 2.53GHz Intel Core i5-460M processor, 4GB of RAM, a 640GB hard drive, HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi b/g/n and a 1.3-megapixel webcam. It also ships with 3D VISION glasses, of course. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced, though Acer did say the AS5745DG-A54E/L will be available in Japan on December 3rd for “less than” 100,000 yen, which is roughly $1,200 US. Acer has not yet addressed availability outside of Japan. [BGR]

URBEE HYBRID BODY CAME FROM A PRINTER

The Urbee Hybrid vehicle is a concept with an interesting twist. The body of the vehicle was produced from a printer...a really big 3D printer. The result is a partnership between Kor Ecologic, a transportation company, and Stratasys, a printer company that markets its 3D printers as HP Designjets.

Kor provided the concept and the underpinnings of the thing, a design that amazingly has its roots in the early '90s but has been given a new, teardrop body 100 percent printed by Stratasys. Underneath is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that manages up to 200mpg on the highway and 100mpg around town running on ethanol or plain 'ol gasoline. No, there are no plans for the three-wheelin' Urbee to actually see production, and beneath that luscious shape rolls something that looks rather more like a work in progress. [Engadget]

MICROSOFT BUYS 3D GESTURE CONTROL COMPANY CANESTA

Canesta, a company specializing in motion-sensing and 3D gesture controls, have just announced that they are being acquired by Microsoft; a deal that is expected to be finalized by the end of 2010. Canesta was founded in 1999 and they specialize in “NUI’s” or natural user interfaces. Their technology allows users to do away with the traditional mouse and keyboard combo for most of their computing needs. They are also experts in 3D tracking; a very useful purchase for the future development of the Kinect platform. The Silicon Valley company holds 44 patents with regard to 3D sensing technologies, which will protect Microsoft in any patent litigation they may find themselves in. The acquisition could usher in a new revolutionary GUI/NUI for Windows 8. Minority Report computing might be around sooner than you think. Check out the video below for a peek at what Canesta technology does. [BGR]

STUNNING 3D BUILDING PROJECTION VIDEO

With a building, a powerful projector, a computer and a ton of imagination you can make buildings come to life.  The amazing video below was shot a few months ago in Kharkov, Ukraine during a festival celebrating the Independence Day of Ukraine. The building used for the show was the Kharkiv Regional Institute of Public Administration Building. [Geek]

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PT.1 WILL NOT BE IN 3D

Warner Bros. has announced Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 will not be 3D.  They have determined 3D is not right for this movie.  Warner Bros. said in a release:

Warner Bros Pictures has made the decision to release "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1" in 2D, in both conventional and IMAX theaters, as we will not have a completed 3D version of the film within our release date window. Despite everyone's best efforts, we were unable to convert the film in its entirety and meet the highest standards of quality. We do not want to disappoint fans who have long-anticipated the conclusion of this extraordinary journey, and to that end, we are releasing our film day-and-date on November 19, 2010 as planned. We, in alignment with our filmmakers, believe this is the best course to take in order to ensure that our audiences enjoy the consummate "Harry Potter" experience. [Gizmodo]

TOSHIBA DEBUTS GLASSES-LESS 3D TV

Toshiba unveiled a glasses-less 3D television at CEATEC Japan 2010.   The electronics conglomerate showed off a 20" television it said will cost approximately $2,900 and will only be sold in Japan starting in December, for now.  Masaaki Oosumi, president of Toshiba Visual Products, said "A dream TV is now a reality, it’s obviously more natural to watch TV without glasses. That is the natural technological progression.”

The new televisions have a angle of viewing of 40 degrees for best results.  Anything more than that and the image becomes increasingly blurry.

Toshiba also showed off a prototype of a 56-inch model.  Having models in larger sizes will be crucial in getting the U.S. and European markets to buy. [NY Times]

ALL STAR WARS FILMS TO BE RE-RELEASED IN 3D

George Lucas has decided to re-release all 6 Star Wars movies in 3D according to the Hollywood Reporter.  The article goes on to say

"Part 1, "The Phantom Menace," would be first out of star-dock in the early months of 2012. After that, each of the films would be released in order at the same time each consecutive year, depending on how well the first re-release does.
Each conversion takes at least a year to complete, with Lucas personally overseeing the process to make sure each one is as perfected as possible. Lucas has said that the "Avatar" experience convinced him that "Star Wars" was ready for the state-of-the-art 3D treatment." [Gizmodo]

HIGH INTEREST IN 3DTV, LOW INTEREST IN PRICE SAYS NIELSEN

A recent Nielsen survey, commissioned by CTAM, using both qualitative focus groups and quantitative study, shows that the numbers of consumers saying they are likely to buy a 3DTV in the next year dropping after they experience it and consider the additional cost and limited content, with 57% taking issue with the necessary glasses.

Manufacturers and retailers should prepare for a hard time coaxing consumers to buy in immediately (exclusive content is not helping) with the possible exception of videogamers -- 71% of hardcore and regular gamers were interested in playing in 3D. [Engadget; Nielsen]

'GHOST RIDER' GOES 3D

The sequel to Ghost Rider is going to be filmed in 3D vs. having it done in post-production.  Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengence is set to begin filming in Romania this fall.  Nicholas Cage will be reprising his role of Johnny Blaze and stated:

"I'll be filming it in Romania, which is exciting, since that's where Dracula's castle is.  The Ghost Rider has to write (sic) up to the Dracula's castle."


Why he is riding up to Dracula's castle is up for debate as the official plot synopsis has not been released yet.

TOSHIBA TO LAUNCH 3 GLASSLESS 3D TVs THIS YEAR

Toshiba is getting ready to launch the worlds first 3D televisions that do not require special glasses to be worn by the viewer.  They will not launch 3 models, each costing several thousand dollars, by the end of the year according to Yahoo News!.