Why are LCD screens invariably rectangular or square? Well, they don’t have to be any more, thanks to a bunch of boffins at LG. They’ve unveiled two new LCDs - a six-inch elliptical display, and a 1.4-inch circular one.The one that’s of interest to Pocket Picks readers is the latter, since it could be used in mobile phones (of which LG makes, ooh, a few). The image above shows another application, for watches - which could be made to have faces that change design at the flick of a switch.How could it be used in phones? Well, it could allow LG to break away from the standard candybar and clamshell form factors, and make even stranger-shaped handsets. Although good luck with convincing the legions of mobile video and games firms, and website designers to reformat their content to make full use of circular screens…
Tag Archive for 'lcd'
When you strip away the telephone and SMS bits, Java games, PIM functionality and multi-megapixel photography mobile phones have only two functions - replacing your watch and using the screen as a rudimentary torch in the middle of the night.
Although useful, that last one has always been a last resort due to the feeble glow emitted by the average LCD screen.
NiceLight is a self-proclaimed ‘professional torch and skinnable night clock’. Putting aside the faintly ludicrous idea that this is the weapon of choice for professional torch users (whatever they are) NiceLight is actually quite good at what it does.
Firing up this shareware S60 app ($9, available here with 7-day free trial) lets you activate the LCD in a variety of colours or, for that extra burst of brightness, set the camera flash to stay lit until you turn it off - in effect giving you an actual torch.
There is a skinnable clock with pleasingly large digits that is intended to be used at night and can also be set as a screensaver.
I tried it out in a very dark server room and can confirm it definitely works better than a typical Nokia screen - particularly when using the flash, although that does drain the battery as you might expect.
A silly app in many respects but potentially useful in a powercut or dark hotel room. A little over priced at $9, but then if you are a professional torch user you could probably get your employer to buy it for you.
