Sharp has announced that they will be using a glasses free auto-stereoscopic 3D screen on a new smartphone that is scheduled to release before New Years Day 2011. The smartphone will utilize the same technology that is behind the Nintendo 3DS.
It will also have a 3D capable camera attached to it, able to take pictures and video in 3D to be viewed on compatible devices.
It will not be the first 3D phone to release however, with Hitachi announcing earlier this year that the KDDI Japanese carrier and NTT docomo will utilize this prototype 3D display. A Sharp spokeswoman stated that this smartphone will be launching internationally, which will not be happening to the above Japanese only 3D phones.
Sharp is the biggest Japanese phone distributor but has failed to ignite sales overseas. With its previous attempt, the Kin being developed in conjunction with Microsoft; failing to sell enough copies to stay on the market. It lasted only three months in the very large but competitive U.S. market, falling short against the other smartphones available.
The 3D display allows viewers to see 3D images without the need for special glasses or eyewear. However, people will need to view the phone from the correct distance and angle to see the 3D display correctly. But with mobile phones it is less likely to be an issue, seeing how you are usually viewing it from the front anyway. The release date is not a specific date but Sharp is stating it will launch the smartphone worldwide before New Years Day 2011.