The Touch Taiwan 2013 exhibition featured more key players in the industry than it has in the past, with major panel makers such as AU Optronics (AUO) and Innolux in attendance to display their focus in the panel industry throughout 2013.
Innolux in particular used up space at the exhibition to show off its latest Ultra HD TV panels including 39-, 42-, 50-, 58- and 65-inch units. In addition, the company also focused on new panel technology for use in the industrial and medical segments, showing that the company is looking beyond the consumer electronics market and more into niche markets.
AUO meanwhile sported its 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD units, with a focus on wide color gamut and high-percentage NTSC technology. The company also displayed its 27-inch Adobe RGB technology in addition to 5-inch 443ppi panels. The company also had a 3D viewing area for the 65-inch unit, which attracted no shortage of visitors.
Sharp kept relatively quiet at the event despite its first-ever appearance. Taking up very little space at a crunched away booth in the middle of the exhibition, Sharp displayed its latest monitor technology with a focus on multi-touch features and smooth stylus-free writing capabilities. It would have been nice to see how its Ultra HD TV panel technology compared to other competitors, and viewers certainly would not have minded more info on the company's IGZO technology.
In addition to displays, cover glass was another key focus at Touch Taiwan. Scott displayed its Xensation Cover ITS technology while other makers were focused still on soda-lime glass. Corning had a big presence at the exhibition, as expected, and was quick to refute the benefits of soda-lime glass while sporting its latest Gorilla NBT glass products. According to Corning, the NBT glass will start being used on notebook products as of third-quarter 2013, providing consumers with some of the most advanced scratch-resistant glass technology on the market.
Touch Taiwan 2013 also attracted various speakers including members of AUO. When asked about Taiwan's role in the panel industry, AUO said it is confident in the nation's panel makers' ability to compete against growing competitors in China and that cooperation between the two sides will be increasingly important in the future.
