New technology for mobile phones- such as haptics and LED (light-emitting diodes)-has started to be applied to home appliances and PCs. Since the mega successes of Motorola's ultra-slim RAZR and Apple's iPhone caused a paradigm shift in the global mobile phone market, makers of home appliances and PCs have made designs on mobile phone technology.
The edge-lit LED TV is a typical example of adopting ultra-thin design and parts, which used to be reserved for mobile phones. Side-view LEDs that emit light sideways, not forward have given rise to edge-lit TVs. The use of LED backlights has made LED TVs so thin that it triggered stiff competition for slimness in the global TV market.
Air conditioners also boast the drag-and-drop function that cellular phones such as Apple's iPhone feature. The air conditioner development by Samsung Electronics installed the drag and drop function in their latest air conditioners.
The latest version of the Samsung Zipel refrigerator also comes out with LED and a touch-screen display. When the door of the Zipel refrigerator opens, LED lights come on in a subtle fashion. In addition, the touch-screen display of the refrigerator enables adjusting temperatures, and provides easy access to various user-friendly functions.
Laptop computers and netbooks are also expected to be touched by haptic technology. Microsoft's Windows 7 Operating System offers touch screen function ability. In the first half of this year, Samsung Electronics plans on adding the touch screen function to its 10.1-inch netbook (NB 30), developed for corporate customers. The world's largest electronics maker has been selling this product to overseas markets including the EU and the U.S. Haier, the world's 4th largest white goods manufacturer, have also adopted touch screen function in its first netbook (X220), scheduled to hit the US market soon.
