HP has been working on flexible displays for some time now, but it appears as though they may be a bit further along than we originally thought. The technology is still pretty far from ever being commercialized, but a recent presentation captured by the guys over at Hardware.info shows off one of the early working prototypes being touted around by top execs. They didn't actually show it in action, but the simple fact that you can roll it up gives it some serious geek cred.

HP claims that despite it's inherent flexibility, the future of the technology lies in making screens smaller and lighter than they are today. Anyone who has ever shoved a phone in their pocket would probably agree that a screen the consistency of paper is probably a bad idea, and we can't wait until more details are announced. Until then you'll just have to amuse yourself with the picture above, and the short video hosted on You Tube which you can check out below.

Sure you can't dunk it in water, but it's the closest we've seen to the real deal in a flexible display.

Asus today added four new models to its Designo Series, including the MS248, MS238, MS228, and MS208. All four boast an eco-friendly, ultra-slim design with 16.5mm profiles and range in size from 20 inches to 20.3 inches.

On the lower end, the MS208 sports a 1600 x 900 screen resolution with a 5ms response time. The other three up the ante to a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a faster 2ms response time. The MS228 adds an HDMI audio-out port, while the MS238 and MS248 also include an earphone jack (for HDMI only).

Asus says all four units are easy on the environment, thanks in large part eschewing bulbs in favor of mercury-free LED backlit panels. According to Asus, the LED monitors reduce energy consumption levels by 45 percent, enough to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 23.6kg per year, the equivalent of planting 1.9 trees that can contribute two years worth of oxygen for a family of four.

Image Credit: Asus

Dell over the weekend added to its growing LCD monitor line by introducing a new 24-inch display, the G2410H. Boasting support for 1080p, Dell's latest display also comes with a few environmentally friendly bullet points.

Chief among them are several power saving features, including an ambient light sensor, Dell's PowerNap technology, Dynamic Dimming, and three "Energy Modes." The G2410H also comes equipped with an ultra efficient power supply, and is free of arsenic (glass only), mercury, polyvinyl chloride (packaging only), BFR, and CFR.

Dell says it designed the G2410H with up to a 20 percent slimmer panel. Other tech specs include a Twisted Nematic (TN) panel, 1,000:1 standard contrast ratio and 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 5ms response time, 0.277mm pixel pitch, and both VGA and DVI-D (with HDCP) connectors.

See more here.

Image Credit: Dell

Let it not be said that I don't pay attention to the demands of the readers.  No sooner did I wrap up another comparative analysis of three slammin' freeware applications for altering your desktop in new and unique ways then, well, you all talked.  And talked.  And talked.

That's not a bad thing, however.  A number of you voiced support for your favorite applications and utilities that you use to radically transform the look of your traditional Windows desktop in some pretty awesome ways.  It would be a shame to let these suggestions languish in the comments thread of an old article, however.  So, this week, Freeware Files is all about you.  I'll be featuring your suggestions for applications and showing people why they should consider your alternatives for giving their desktops a refreshed look.

Got it?  Let's begin!

3DNA

What.  The.  Hell.  Sorry to be so blunt, and I apologize for offending anyone's sensitive ears.  Let's not kid ourselves, however.  That's the first think you'll be thinking when you go to load up 3DNA, a desktop transformation that takes the concept of a 3D environment one step further... off the deep end.  I kid, but it's just that much of a radical transformation.  Unlike the previously featured Bumptop, which allows you to manipulate your desktop as if it was a 3D cube of-sorts, 3DNA turns your desktop into the equivalent of Second Life.

Is it useful from a functional standpoint?  Doubtful.  Is it cool to run through?  Admittedly... yes.  Just not if you're a Windows 7 user, however--there's no support for that OS just yet!

Download it here!

Hyperdesk

On the flip side from 3DNA, we have Hyperdesk.  This application doesn't really transform the look of your desktop in a significant way per se--it's more akin to slapping a new layer of paint on a building than retrofitting the underlying framework.  Still, the skins created by The Skins Factory, Hyperdesk's creator, are nothing short of artistic wonders.  Nor are they free.  So what, then, is Hyperdesk doing in a Freeware roundup?  Keep this one on your radar, because you'll occasionally find widgets or skins for free (or cheap.)  Hey, it's not like da Vinci worked free either, eh?

Download it here!

RocketDock

Have we covered this application before?  Yes.  Does it still do the same thing it did then?  Yes.  Did many of you scream and clamor when we didn't include this in our "apps that transform your desktop" feature profile?  Yes.  To be fair, RocketDock doesn't actually change the entirety of your desktop--hence it's omission.  What it does, however, is pretty great.  The application gives you a little launching bar that almost perfectly mimics what you'd find in Apple's OSX platform.  You know, the bar that you move the mouse over, and the icons get bigger as you scroll through them, and you cackle with glee, et cetera.

The transparency of this application really helps it stand out as a beautiful addition to desktops of all varieties.  Were it only so easy to completely remove the Windows taskbar in favor of this little guy--that's how much RocketDock, well, rocks.

Download it here!

Samurize

Here's a big gun for you.  Samurize is a great desktop replacement tool that operates along the same vein as Rainmeter.  My experience is that it's a little tricky to use, but not complicated enough to make you want to give up before you've managed to stick your first CPU meter on your desktop. 

I might be getting ahead of myself here, so permit me to take a step back.  Samurize is an application that basically adds a layer on top of your desktop, which you can then populate with widgets of all varieties to transform your desktop into a customized, one-of-a-kind experience.  Everything from abstract clocks to CPU use meters are yours for the tweaking--and even if you're uncreative (or confused), you can pick from a variety of preconfigured "configs" that others have created for you.

Download it here!

SharpEnviro

This shell replacement for the Windows doesn't skin your desktop, nor does it dump widgets overtop your desktop's existing look and feel.  When I say "replacement," I mean just that: You're getting an entirely new look and configuration to play around with, styled in a similar condition to Litestep (from the aforementioned desktop UI application showdown.)

SharpEnviro succeeds in its ability to present a bit more of a user-friendly setup over competing shell replacements.  You won't be screwing around in notepad to make your potential changes. The configurations and launching elements are all styled in an easy-to-navigate GUI, and you're free to make additional modifications--like adding new toolbar configurations--without having to deal with the hassle of figuring out just what exactly it is you're doing.  Heck, SharpEnviro even comes with built-in support for switching between two separate desktops featuring their own individual windows.  You won't see that in a Microsoft-based product!  These are just a few of the highlights of this super-simple desktop replacement--you'll definitely want to explore the nooks and crannies of this app.

Download it here!

David Murphy (@ Acererak) is a technology journalist and former Maximum PC editor. He writes weekly columns about the wide world of open-source as well as weekly roundups of awesome, freebie software. Befriend him on Twitter, especially if you have an awesome app or game you're dying to recommend!

The message during CES was pretty clear: 3D is coming to the living room. Helping to put it there, Acer this morning announced two new Vidia 3D Vision-Ready video projectors.

"The new Acer video projectors provide incredibly compelling and realistic 3D video and images that make customers feel like they are part of the experience," said Irene Chan, senior product marketing manager for peripherals, Acer America. "With the Acer projectors, consumers can enjoy existing 2D content as if it were developed in 3D for a more immersive entertainment and learning experience – whether it’s a fictional journey, a scientific exploration of the universe or a tour of ancient archaeological sites. Of course, customers will thoroughly enjoy the superior visuals projected from these new models even while watching traditional 2D content."

First up is the Acer H5360 projector, which beams content in 720p. Acer rates this one at up to 2600 ANSI lumens and a 3200:1 contrast ratio. You'll also find an HDMi port, three RCA jacks, component video, S-video mini DIN, 2.5mm audio mini-jack, and a 15-pin D-Sub

Sitting a little lower on the totem pole is the Acer X1261 projector. Unlike the H5360, the X1261 boasts a native XGA resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio, although Acer claims it can be adjusted to a 16:9 aspect ratio. This one comes rated at up to 2500 ANSI lumens and a 3700:1 contrast ratio. Input sources include composite, component, S-video mini DIM, and a stereo mini jack.

Both projectors come capable of handling 3D content when combined with Nvidia's 3D Vision technology, which you can read more about here.

The H5360 ($699) and X1261 ($579) are available now.

Image Credit: Acer

If OLED's the future, where does the technology fit into the present? Not anywhere, according to Sony, at least when talking about high definition television sets. Sony announced plans to end sales of OLED sets in Japan until costs come down.

Probably a good idea too, considering the only model Sony released was an 11-inch set that commanded roughly $2,222. That's barely larger than most netbooks, but a whole heck of a lot more expensive, to state the obvious.

This doesn't mean that Sony is turning its back on OLED technology in general, the company just wants no part in selling obscenely overpriced displays. Instead, Sony said it will focus on research and development, and may even dabble in overseas production.

"We will continue to consider new products and applications including OLED TVs," Sony spokesman Shigenori Yoshida said.

Image Credit: oled.si

If the choices are to go big or go home, Panasonic (and NBC) will take the former. Just how big are we talking? Panasonic says it has been selected to provide its 152-inch Plasma display to NBC during the network's coverage of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.

In addition to providing the world's largest plasma display, Panasonic also promised to serve up technical and engineering support.

"As a worldwide Olympic partner, Panasonic is honored to be able to provide NBC with our 152-inch Plasma Display for their coverage of the Vancouver Winter Games," said Nelkin. "Our 152-inch Plasma is the world's largest Plasma Display Panel and is the perfect technology on which to show all of the exciting, fast-paced action and stunning imagery of the Olympic Winter Games."

So what are the specs on a 152-inch display? Try 8.84 million pixels, or 4096 x 2160. That's four times the 1080p HD specification of 1920 x 1080. Panasonic says the screen size is equivalent to nine 50-inch plasmas with an effective viewing area of 11.2 feet.

We wonder how long it will take someone at NBC to hook up an Xbox 360. 

Image Credit: techwirex.com

The transparent AMOLED laptop that Samsung had on display at CES is soon going to hit the market with the promise of bragging rights galore. According to PlusPlasticElectronics, a commercial variant of the concept showcased at CES will be available within the next year.

“We have a lab in Korea that is currently working on developing a laptop with partially-transparent screen,” Samsung Electronics America's Reid Sullivan told PlusPlasticElectronics. “Soon, I imagine that all Samsung's audio-visual products will feature this technology. We want to be the first in this market.”

It appears as though transparent AMOLED displays have infatuated Samsung. It also plans to launch a see-through MP3 player christened IceTouch, which according to the report will be available in the early half of 2010. The IceTouch is likely to cost around  $330. The real challenge for the consumer will be to think of a practical use for such gadgets once they cease to be a novelty.

One of NEC's solutions to cutting back on energy consumption is to go small, as in 17 inches, which is the size of NEC's latest 'green' monitor, the AS171. According to NEC, the AS171 with a 4:3 aspect ratio consumes 21 percent less power than its predecessor and uses half the amount of mercury in its design.

"The 17-inch AS171 display brings variety and value to AccuSync Series users," said Lynn Gu, Product Manager for NEC Display Solutions. "We continuously see a strong demand for the 17-inch standard aspect ratio from enterprise and small-to-medium business sectors, and our goal with this display is to offer improved green technology, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly features."

One of those features is a new carbon footprint meter for tracking your carbon savings. But probably of more value to SMBs is the 2-step ECO Mode technology, which allows users to switch between two energy-savings modes.

Other specs include a 1280 x 1024 resolution, VGA and DVI connectivity, 900:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time, and tilt adjustability.

NEC will begin shipping the AS171 this month for $160, noting that the backlight is included in the three-year parts and labor warranty.

Image Credit: NEC

Ready or not, the 3D revolution has begun, and that means a deluge of related product announcements. Such is the case with Acer's 23.6-inch GD235HZ 3D-capable display.

Lame name aside, Acer's first foray into 3D-capable monitors serves up 1,920x1,080 pixels along with a 120Hz refresh rate. But it's the 3D that's of most interest, and to help give images an extra dimension, you'll need to don a pair of Nvidia's 3D Vision active-shutter glasses.

"As 3D content becomes more widely available in popular games and videos, users desire computing products that can take advantage of these new capabilities," said Acer America's senior product marketing manager Irene Chan. "We are excited to offer Acer's first monitor to support 3D technology."

Other specs include an 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio; 300cd/m² of brightness; a 2ms response time; over 72 percent of the NTSC color gamut; and HDMI, DVI, and VGA inputs.

Acer plans to start shipping the GD235HZ this month for $400. Tack on another $200 for Nvidia's 3D Vision Kit.

Image Credit: Acer