IT Equipment, `Convertible Boom `

‘It is more useful when turning LCD upside down.’

There is the convertible boom for manufacturers of information equipment. ‘Convertible LCD’ which was applied only for camcorder products has been expanded to products of information equipment such as PDA, notebook and mobile phone.

Convertible LCD could turn LCD of electric home appliances and information equipment to over 180 degrees. It was designed to have own picture directly or for place where is out of sight by camcorder. However, as the application of TFT-LCD has largely increased, it has been expanded to various information equipment fields.

Samsung Electronics has recently launched the folder-revolved mobile phone (model name: SCH-X780) which can turn outward the LCD folder to over 180 degrees. It is the camera phone which can take picture by seeing the photography subject through LCD to any direction because it can turn the built-in high-resolution camera and terminal folder respectively up to maximum 180 degrees.

LG Electronics has launched the 3G CDMA Camera Phone (model name: LG-KH5000) which can revolve the LCD, and has compete with competitors in the convertible LCD. The product can take the picture at the desired degrees with the built-in camera and transmit it because it can revolve the LCD to 270 degrees. It is convenient to turn outward only LCD without opening the folder when using the long-time wireless internet.

SONY, Japan has launched the convertible LCD for PDA for the first time. PDA It can turn outward the LCD in case of need, but It is normally used as PDA cover by attaching the super slim convertible LCD to CLIE.

Also, in the notebook industry, ACER, Taiwan and FUJITSU KOREA have launched ‘Travel Mate Tablet PC’ and ‘Stylistic 4000’ applying the convertible LCD respectively. The products of two companies are like the notebook, but change into multi-functions Tablet PC which can be used as touch screen method web pad.

Kim Jong-In, a leader of Product Planning Team, Samsung Electronics forecasted “As the convertible LCD has been applied to high-price and high-performance products owing to difficulties of manufacturing technology, it is treated like a simple of a fine article. It has a good shape and convenience compared with general LCD and so there are a lot of products applying it in the field of electric home appliances and information equipment.”

Tae-Han Kim freewill@donga.com