On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Will TVs and devices carry high-density pixel displays later this year? Electronics manufacturing equipment maker Applied Materials is introducing machinery making the large-scale manufacture of such displays possible, the MIT Technology Review reports.

Apple already manufactures high-density pixel displays (dubbed "Retina" displays) for in the iPhone 4S and the new iPad-- but Applied Materials claims its process for the creation of high-clarity screens is both cheaper and easier than the one Apple employs.

The Applied Materials method uses plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to deposit thin films of material onto surfaces, allowing the production of displays with indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) backplanes. IGZO is the secret behind cheaper-- and larger-- high-density pixel displays, at least according to Applied Materials.

Current LCD displays use a TFT backplane made in either amorphous silicon or partially crystallised silicon (LTPS).

"I would expect to see products this year," Applied Materials says. The technology will surely go into tablets first, but TV applications will result in higher resolutions and faster refresh rates. It should also allow the easier manufacture of flexible displays, due to being compatible with the plastic used to create bendy devices.

Applied Materials says it already has 5 customers using the IGZO process. The company doesn't mention names, but it does supply manufacturing equipment to Samsung, Sharp and LG... and Sharp and Samsung are both said to supply iPad displays.

Go TVs and Tablets to Get the "Retina Display" Treatment (MIT Technology Review)

It appears Google TV is going to make it to Europe after all-- according to financial paper Les Échos Sony is going to launch Google TV-based products on our shores sometime around October 2012.

Speaking with Sony France marketing director Stephan Labrousse, Les Échos says Google TV will come to Europe in 2 flavours-- a regular STB and integrated with a Blu-ray player.

Apparently the remotes for both devices will have a Google Play button giving access to the Google app and content stores. The remotes will recognise voice commands, while Sony will also provide its own on-demand services (such as Music Unlimited).

Labrousse confirms a French launch, while Les Échos says the 2 devices should also launch in the UK, Germany and Spain.

Currently only available in the USA, the Google TV platform failed to make an impact-- early Google partner Logitech ended up describing its own Revue STB as "a mistake of implementation of a gigantic nature." Vendors including Sony, Samsung and LG should be releasing the 2nd generation of Google TV products later this year, with devices carrying ARM (instead of Intel) processors.

Go Google TV Landing in France Next Autumn (Les Échos)

Sony Mobile Communications names Sony CEO and Executive VP Kunimasa Suzuki President and CEO, replacing ex-Sony Ericsson President and CEO Bert Nordberg.

Suzuki starts his new duties from May 16 2012.

Following the company's "One Sony" reorganisation, Nordberg remained with then-new Sony Mobile Communications while Suzuki was to "oversee the mobile business." Nordberg will remain within the Sony Mobile board as Chairman.

Meanwhile Yoshihisa (Bob) Ishida will continue serving as Deputy CEO and Kristian Tear will remain Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications.

Suzuki will be overseeing planning and design of future Sony mobile consumer products and services, including smartphones, tablets and PCs.

Go Sony Mobile Communications Announces New Leadership

At ISE 2012, in the Runco private demo room, Marketing VP Jennifer Davis explained the newest Runco products including the LightStyle LS-12d and the LS-100d ultra-short throw projector (Watch the video below).

The LS-12d carries a 3-chip DLP engine and a variety of lens options and is optimised to deliver both 2D and 3D projection. Ideal for "flex-theatre" spaces, it delivers both active- and passive-shutter 3D images.

It also the first Runco projector with the Dimension Digital Controller (DC-300) 2U outboard controller, and should start shipping from April 2012.

Meanwhile the LS-100d is an ultra-short throw projector using Runco InfiniLight lampless LED technology.

It projects images of up to 92" with a throw distance of only 45cm, and is mountable either above or below projection surfaces.

Watch Runco's Latest Projectors