NEC is once again thrusted into the headlines of technology news with word of its latest release – the new 3.5″ amorphous-silicon transflective thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) module that boasts quarter video graphics array (QVGA) resolution, where it will feature higher reflection properties compared to its predecessors (we demanding consumers wouldn’t expect anything less than that, would we?). This display has been shortlisted by NEC to see action in a variety of small, professional applications including handheld terminals, personal digital assistants (PDA) and portable navigation device (PND) applications.

This new 3.5″ display will see NEC incorporate its latest technologies, including the new super-reflective natural light (SR-NLT) technology, which is a proprietary technology that enhances LCD performance in outdoor lighting environments. About time too, we say, as even until today, the latest and greatest gadgets fail to shine (pardon the pun) under direct sunlight, although they have brightened up considerably when indoors. NEC hopes to change that with their new release, where in the reflective mode, the display module will capitalize on NEC’s optimum LCD panel design so that excellent visibility is provided complete with viewing angle characteristics, regardless of where the user is. Not only that, this module makes reading displayed information a snap with the backlight off in order to further reduce power consumption.

At press time, most portable information display instruments in the market today are powered by either transmissive or transflective LCD modules which work in both transmissive mode (using the light from the backlight) and reflective mode (using the available ambient light). Regardless of which mode is used, the backlight is the biggest culprit, consuming anywhere from 70% to 90% of the displays’ total power consumption. NEC’s response is this 3.5″ messiah of sorts, where it reacts to the environment for maximum battery life, boasting a high reflection ratio of 16% and a contrast ratio of 20:1 in reflective mode. We can’t wait to check out devices that take advantage of this display in the near future.

Press Release