Microsoft - Page 2

Samsung and Apple has a long history of legal battles, and during court Samsung submitted some evidence that detail a couple of upcoming Windows 8 phones, the Odyssey and the Marco. Both use sAMOLED (super AMOLED) displays, but we're mostly interested in the Odyssey - which will sport a 4.65" HD Super AMOLED UT display.

This is the first time I see Samsung use 'UT' after an AMOLED display. It's not clear what is this designation. It may be that this phone will use Samsung's plastic-based "flexible" YOUM displays - which will be unbreakable and very thin (UT=Ultra Thin?). But then I would have guessed they would have said "YOUM" and not sAMOLED. Samsung also has UT series of LCD TVs, and in those the UT means a very thin bezel (2.4 mm on the bottom and right, and 4.3 mm on the top and left) - so perhaps that's what they mean here too.

Microsoft research has unveiled a new research project that enables a 3D interactive desktop using a Samsung-made transparent OLED and a Kinect camera. The idea is that the user types on a keyboard that sits behind the monitor, and he can also manipulate 3D objects using his hands. The system also uses head tracking (to change the 3D perspective):

This isn't the first time Microsoft is using a transparent OLED in their research. Back in June 2010 Microsoft revealed a concept setup that uses a camera beneath a transparent OLED to create gesture-based interaction.

MagnaChip reported their financial results for 2011, and they say that AMOLED display driver revenue grew 700% compared to 2010, but they wouldn't reveal exact numbers.

MagnaChip is providing 800x580 AMOLED drivers for Samsung's Galaxy SII LTE phone (it has a 4.65" Super AMOLED Plus display) and multiple Microsoft Windows-based smartphones.

Atmel announced that Samsung is using their maXTouch E Series single-chip touch controller in the Focus Flash, Focus S, Galaxy Tab 7.7, the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Note. Atmel's maXTouch E touch controllers offer a single-chip solution that has an updated capacitive touch engine (CTE) that features new noise avoidance and noise suppression capabilities. According to Atmel, the new controllers has an improved performance in every aspect compared to their older generation controllers - higher fidelity touch sensing, faster responsiveness, lower power consumption and thinner form factors.

MagnaChip announced that they are providing 480X800 AMOLED display driver ICs for multiple Microsoft Windows-based smartphones. The company didn't say which companies they are supplying to, although it's probably Samsung. Samsung, Dell and Nokia are all producing Windows Phones (although Nokia's Lumia 800 has a different resolution - 854x480, which rules it out).

A couple of months ago MagnaChip announced that they are providing AMOLED drivers for the new Galaxy S2 LTE smartphone.

Nokia's Lumia 800 is now available in the UK for the Orange network. They say that pre-order demand has been great - in fact it has been the best ever for any Nokia phone. Orange currently offers a free XBOX 360 console with each upgrade - that probably helped... The Lumia 800 is Nokia's first Windows Phone - and it sports a 3.7" WVGA (854x480) ClearBlack AMOLED display. Other features include a 1.4Ghz CPU, 512MB RAM, 16GB of internal memory and a 8mp, f/2.2 aperture camera with carl zeiss optics. The Lumia 800 is made from durable polycarbonate plastic.

Samsung's Focus Flash is now shipping for AT&T - free with a contract. The Focus Flash is a 'budget' Windows phone 7.5 (Mango) phone with a 3.7" Super AMOLED display. Other features include a 1.4Ghz processor and a 5mp camera.

Samsung's Focus-S WP7.5 phone is now shipping for AT&T, starting from $159 (including a contract). The Focus S is a Windows phone 7 (Mango) phone with a 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus display. Other features include a 1.4Ghz processor, 16GB of internal memory, 4G-capable speed and a 8mp camera capable of 720p video. The phone is 8.55mm thick.

Microsoft announced today that it will stop producing Zune players - which were never a big success. The second generation Zune-HD was actually considered a very good device - but it never managed to sell in big enough numbers for Microsoft. Back in March 2011 we reported that Microsoft decided to abandon this product line, so this isn't a surprise.

Zune HD

The Zune-HD was actually considered to be a good device but it wasn't a success for Microsoft. The flash player featured Wi-Fi, HD radio and video and a 3.3" 480x272 multi-touch AMOLED display. It is still shipping from Amazon if you're interested...

Samsung announced two new phones, both of which will use Microsoft's Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) OS. Both of the will be launched soon by AT&T. The high-end Focus S has a 4.3" Super AMOLED Plus display, a 1.4Ghz processor, 4G-capable speed and a 8mp camera. The phone is 8.55mm thick.

Samsung Omnia W

The Focus Flash has a small 3.7" Super AMOLED display, the same processor and a 5mp camera. This same phone will be called Omnia W for other non-US networks.