The new panel basically offers a 175-degree viewing angle, but using a simple adjustment it could be reduced to 60 degrees; this is achieved thanks to LG’s new Viewing Angle Image Control Display (VIC) technology. The meaning of a reduced viewing angle is that people sitting next to the user could not see the information on the screen, thus, protecting the privacy of the user.

 

Applications that require privacy include banking or web administration; while most people are reluctant to use these in public places, the new product promises that data displayed on the screen would stay confidential. Although this product could solve the problem of peeping Toms for notebook users, the main risk of unencrypted communications over potentially unsecured wireless networks remains.

 

Other solutions in the market include privacy protection screen covers, which cost $50 to $100 (such as 3M’s device). However, these entail reduced display brightness due to the materials used in the covers (plastic, mostly). LG’s solution offers a more elegant way to choose whether to share the screen with other people or to maintain their privacy. Moreover, VIC technology eliminates the need to externally “strap” the cover over the notebook’s monitor.

 

Mr. In-Jae Chung, LG Display’s chief technology officer and executive vice president, said: “The 14.1-inch notebook PC LCD panel featuring VIC technology overcomes the limits posed by the earlier technology. It will pave the way toward commercialization of notebook PCs that block side viewing without any significant change in screen brightness.”

 

TFOT has also covered the notebooks exhibited at CeBIT 2008 and the World's First OLED Wireless Frame, introduced by Kodak. Other related TFOT stories include TDVision’s technology for a home 3-D display, and SpyFinder, a personal gadget used to detect and locate possible hidden cameras.

 

For more information on LG Display’s Privacy Protection LCD, see the company’s press release.