LG

It’s now technically possible to embed a fingerprint scanner beneath a smartphone display

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 12, 2017

Apple's 'iPhone 7' hasn't arrived yet but that hasn't stopped analysts from predicting that an 'iPhone 8' will ditch the iconic Home button. Conventional wisdom has it that 3D Touch will simulate Home button presses while fingerprint recognition should be realized by incorporating the Touch ID sensor into the display itself.

What conventional wisdom doesn't help explain is how such a technology might work. Well, now we know: LG announced its Innotek division has achieved a major technological breakthrough in producing the world's first in-screen fingerprint scanner.

“LG Innotek cut a shallow furrow of 0.01 inches (0.3 mm) thick on the lower backside of the cover glass and installed the fingerprint sensor inside of it with using their supreme precision and combination technology,” explains the company.

LG Display increasing curved OLED production as rumors of OLED iPhones intensify

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 19, 2016

Multiple sources have been adamant over the course of past few months that Apple and its Asian suppliers have been making preparations to produce tens of millions of OLED panels for use in future iPhones.

Tuesday, Taiwan-based DigiTimes said, citing a report by Korea-based ET News, that LG Display, the lone supplier of flexible OLED screens for the Apple Watch, has begun ramping up curved OLED production amid rumors of the Apple OLED switch.

Apple said to be close to signing OLED deal with Samsung and LG Display for future iPhones

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 30, 2015

A report Wednesday by ET News contends that Apple is “close” to signing a definitive supply agreement with both Samsung Display and LG Display concerning OLED screens for future iPhones.

Although iOS devices have used ubiquitous liquid-crystal display (LCD) panels since their inception, organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology features deeper blacks and requires less power because it doesn't need a power-hungry backlight module to illuminate the pixels.

Apple supplier LG Display building $4 billion OLED plant

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 20, 2015

LG Display, which supplies Apple with flexible OLED screens for the Apple Watch and LCD panels for other gadgets, is reportedly building a brand new facility that will significantly increase its OLED panel production as the firm looks to meet expected market demand as of 2017 onwards, according to a report from Korea's Digital Times cited by DigiTimes.

The new plant will cost north of $4 billion to build, with assembly lines expected to start churning out OLED panels for smartphones, tablets and TVs sometime between 2017-2018.

Google announces two new flagship Nexus smartphones: The Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

As has been widely expected, Google revealed two new smartphones in its Nexus line today at a press event in San Francisco. The two new phones—the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P—are new flagship phones that feature the pure Google experience without any outside bloatware, third-party skins, or apps. Nexus phones are historically rated very high, and it doesn't seem like that will be changing.

The new Nexus phones sport better cameras with low light performance being a key focus point. They also feature fingerprint sensors on the rear of the device that look similar in design to Touch ID. Both phones will run Google's latest Android Marshmallow update.

The Nexus 5X is manufactured by LG and is a plastic body 5.2" phone sporting a 1080p display. The larger Nexus 6P is made by Huawei. It features an aluminum body (frost white, aluminum, and graphite), and a 5.7" screen with a 1440p display. Both phones are capable of shooting 4K video.

Pre-orders for the new Nexus phones start today. The Nexus 5X starts at $379 unlocked, and the larger Nexus 6P starts at $499.

LG targets Apple Watch Edition with limited-edition Urbane Watch Luxe

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 31, 2015

LG on Monday announced the Urbane Watch Luxe, a special version of its Urbane lineup that it hopes will appeal to folks in the market for an Apple Watch Edition.

Featuring a 23-karat gold case and available with a new alligator strap, the Urbane Watch Luxe was created in partnership with US-based REEDS Jewelers which will handle sales of LG's Android Wear device in the United States. The limited-edition smartwatch costs $1,200 a pop and will go on sale beginning October.

Apple yet again rumored to switch to power-friendlier IGZO screens for next-gen iPads

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

Boy, is LG Display on a roll today. Not only has the company's website inadvertently pre-announced a supposedly upcoming iMac refresh featuring an 8K resolution Retina screen, but a well-informed LG Display related official ostensibly said Apple is also “creating iPads with a 12-inch display,” based on a very power-efficient oxide LCD screen technology, Taiwanese publication ETNews reported Monday.

Oxide LCD, also known as IGZO, requires a fraction of power compared to LCD IPS screens on current iPads, while rendering more vibrant colors and deeper blacks with quick response times and high color saturation.

Did LG inadvertently leak an iMac with 8K screen?

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 6, 2015

In a somewhat bizarre move, Apple supplier LG Display may have inadvertently leaked Apple's unannounced iMac whopping an 8K Retina screen, writing on its website last week that, I'm quoting, “Apple has also announced that they will release the ‘iMac 8K’ with a super-high resolution display later this year”.

Apple, of course, has not publicly announced plans for a new iMac update. LG Display is Apple's important supplier of desktop and mobile screens and the Cupertino company is known to have cut off suppliers who pre-announced its products. Neither LG nor Apple commented on the matter at post time.

LG Watch goes luxury ahead of Apple Watch later this spring

Jake Smith ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

LG has launched an upgrade to its LG Watch, taking it to a luxury level, ahead of the release of the Apple Watch in April that will be available in several different styles.

The LG G Watch Urbane features an all-metal build modeled after the LG Watch R. The LG G Watch R has been called one of the better Android Wear watches on the market, receiving rave reviews from many members of the tech press.

Taking it to a luxury level, LG may have just improved the G Watch R expediently.

Competitor watch: LG, Samsung debut new smartwaches during peak of iWatch rumors

Jake Smith ∙ August 27, 2014

Two of the top-electronics manufacturers LG and Samsung took the wraps off two new smartwatches on Wednesday evening, hours after a major report pegged Apple's iWatch debut for September 9 instead of later this year.

Samsung and LG now predictably eyeing sapphire

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 28, 2016

Apple may have gone the farthest along in commercializing sapphire as its new Messa, Arizona plant starts churning out first batches of sapphire crystal, but rivals are not standing still.

Now key players are taking notice and some are taking action, in particular Korea's Samsung and LG.

The fast-follower Samsung, along with consumer electronics makers LG, is said to be reconsidering its stance on the feasibility of using sapphire in mobile devices. This right there tells me Tim Cook & Co. have been right all along to gamble on sapphire and invest hundreds of millions of dollars in manufacturing facilities to secure multi-year output of the material...

LG releasing Lifeband Touch Activity Tracker and Heart Rate Earphones this Sunday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 9, 2017

This coming Sunday, May 18, LG will release a pair of new wearable products. Designed to work with iOS and Android, the Lifeband Touch Activity Tracker, as the name implies, is a wrist-worn fitness band which measures your physical activity performance - stuff like speed, steps taken, calories burned and covered.

And LG's new Heart Rate Earphones with built-in sensors will measure your heart rate as you listen to your music, make calls or just chill.

Used together, these two products promise to help you reach and maintain your fitness goals while fusing advanced activity tracking, biometric data, Bluetooth app connectivity with easy access to your music and iOS device and what not. Both accessories can be pre-ordered now through Best Buy prior to launch...