Why...

[Guest dwallersv]

...can't Samsung use a decent LCD display like this?

This is from my Garmin Vista Cx, purchased 5 years ago (or more). It has the best color LCD display I have ever seen, anywhere. Awesome, bright, super clear backlight indoors. Awesome, bright, crystal clear readable display in direct sunlight. The outdoor picture below was taken in direct noontime sun. The little hatchings in the picture are not really there -- they are an artifact of some sort of beat frequency between the Omnia camera and the refresh of the LCD display. Note the BL was off when the outdoor pic was taken, and for some reason the picture doesn't even do justice to the brightness and clarity of the display outdoors -- it looks better than this picture!

With the backlight on full, this thing is easily readable anywhere without making adjustments. Of course, I turn the BL off when outdoors in sunlight, because it is not needed. Take a look, and get mad at Samsung. I simply refuse to believe that using a decent LCD display like this would affect the price much, and people would gladly pay the extra few bucks.

[Guest MrJoneswii]

you're absolutely right.

and on top of that I don't think it's that responsive + it's missing multitouch

[Guest Adion]

Except for price, power usage might be a problem too though (I don't know the Garmin, so I can't say if it actually uses more power for the display or not)

I agree that a better screen for outdoor use would indeed be nice.

[Guest krelvinaz]

If you want that degraded of a screen... go for it...

eTrex Vista Cx: 176 x 220 pixels (256 level color TFT)

Omnia (i910) 240 x 400 pixels (65,536 color TFT/TFD)

I'm sure people would be more than unhappy an eTrex screen in their Omnia where they normally use their phones (indoors or in vehicles).

Don't make many calls in direct sunlight myself. Of course its only 104°F outside right now...

[Guest Tim-H]

If you want that degraded of a screen... go for it...

eTrex Vista Cx: 176 x 220 pixels (256 level color TFT)

Omnia (i910) 240 x 400 pixels (65,536 color TFT/TFD)

I'm sure people would be more than unhappy an eTrex screen in their Omnia where they normally use their phones (indoors or in vehicles).

Don't make many calls in direct sunlight myself. Of course its only 104°F outside right now...

High image quality sunlight readable lcds are also really expensive. It doesn't make sense to put them into something people use indoors most of the time. Double or triple the price of the device just so you dont have to shade it with your hand every now and then.

[Guest Rooster Misfit]

you're absolutely right.

and on top of that I don't think it's that responsive + it's missing multitouch

there must be a problem with your screen cause mine is plenty responcive and i even have a scratch protector on it... as for multi ouch... yeah cool novelty add on but if yor outside alot like me in the winter and you have cold fingers have fun wrking that multi touch

[Guest Adrynalyne]

If you want that degraded of a screen... go for it...

eTrex Vista Cx: 176 x 220 pixels (256 level color TFT)

Omnia (i910) 240 x 400 pixels (65,536 color TFT/TFD)

I'm sure people would be more than unhappy an eTrex screen in their Omnia where they normally use their phones (indoors or in vehicles).

Don't make many calls in direct sunlight myself. Of course its only 104°F outside right now...

I know, this Arizona heat is killing me too.

[Guest bigdaddykane]

I know, this Arizona heat is killing me too.

I miss the heat .... PHX is one of the sweetest places i have ever lived...... Rain sucks here in Texas

Edited May 19, 2009 by bigdaddykane

[Guest dwallersv]

If you want that degraded of a screen... go for it...

eTrex Vista Cx: 176 x 220 pixels (256 level color TFT)

Omnia (i910) 240 x 400 pixels (65,536 color TFT/TFD)

I'm sure people would be more than unhappy an eTrex screen in their Omnia where they normally use their phones (indoors or in vehicles).

Don't make many calls in direct sunlight myself. Of course its only 104°F outside right now...

Good grief.

I was referring to the technology, not the precise display.

Of course I'm talking about a 240x400, high-color display. The readability and direct-sunlight performance of the garmin display has nothing to do with those specs. In fact, it's pretty much just two parts of the overall display technology: The polarizing filter on top of the display, and the backlight/reflector at the back.

Garmin deliberately spec'd the display to have high performance under all lighting conditions. Hence, the display. There is no technical reason -- none at all -- that a display with the pixel and color resolution, and size, can not be made using the same lighting performance characteristics.

As for your snarky comment about using the device outdoors, that's your personal situation. Many of us would like to be able to see the display in sunlight for a multitude of reasons.

[Guest bpivk]

There is no technical reason -- none at all -- that a display with the pixel and color resolution, and size, can not be made using the same lighting performance characteristics.

You're absolutely correct. But then again you are missing the all important money aspect.

Let's just plug a big OLED screen on it and Omnia's a winner. But how many people will actually have the money to afford such a phone?

It's not always about the screen or technology but it IS ALWAYS about the money. Besides... whining won't help you and neither will non descriptive topics you'll still sound like a spoilt child with this attitude. No offence meant.

Edited May 19, 2009 by bpivk

[Guest dwallersv]

You're absolutely correct. But then again you are missing the all important money aspect.

Let's just plug a big OLED screen on it and Omnia's a winner. But how many people will actually have the money to afford such a phone?

It's not always about the screen or technology but it IS ALWAYS about the money. Besides... whining won't help you and neither will non descriptive topics you'll still sound like a spoilt child with this attitude. No offence meant.

OLED technology would not solve the problem.

I did not forget the money issue, but assumed it wasn't significant. After you post, I went and priced some LCD displays on the net. Upshot -- a display like Garmin's adds about $10 to the price of a similar display with same pixel/color resolution, and backlight power (lumens).

Given that the price of an Omnia is so flexible to begin with (anything from $800 standalone to $99 with a 2-year contract from Verizon), I really don't think cost is the issue.

Rather, I think it's just that optimal performance in outdoor sunlight is not a priority. This seems to be the case, generally, for cellphone displays across the industry, with a few exceptions.

Curiously, outdoor, reflected-light performance is much more common among PDAs (for what are obvious reasons to me). My speculation is that the cellphone industry has simply not adjusted to the more demanding requirements of a PDA/phone yet, and don't "get it".

I expect that now that rich media, PDA-like converged devices like the Omnia are becoming more common, this will eventually be addressed. After all, it is a significant competitive advantage if people are depending on the device as their primary PIM tool, mobile entertainment device (music player, video player), internet access, and more.

Not being able to use it outdoors effectively for these non-phone capabilities is quite limiting.

One other thing I suspect played a part (and shouldn't): The garmin-type display is a silvery light color when off (because of the reflector at the back). Doesn't look dark and blend in with the dark frame around the display. Of course, when on, it does "black" quite well, blocking the reflection of incident light (or transmitted backlight light). It wouldn't surprise me if these "aesthetic" reasons played a part too.

Me? I don't care if the thing is vomit orange when it's not powered, as long as it works well under indoor and outdoor lighting conditions when turned on.

Edited May 19, 2009 by dwallersv

[Guest rappetor]

Well, you can be sure that a manufacturer of car electronics will pay more attention to using the display in sunny conditions than e.g. Samsung for the Omnia. And for sure it has a lot to do with the top coating and the protective layer.

What really made a huge difference in the past for me, was using Brando anti glare screen protectors. Those things make a huge difference when you talk about glare on the screen. But.. because of the way the anti glare works they make the screen look just a tiny bit fuzzy.

I love those things and they're on every phone I own now. Especially because I use the phone as navigation a lot.

Edit: I do think Oled will make a huge difference. More contrast, more clear. Perhaps some day e-paper and oled high resolution screens can be combined. That would make the ultimate outdoor device. Until that day we just have to live with it!

Edited May 19, 2009 by rappetor

[Guest bpivk]

Well it just seems to me that you love Garmin and hate Omnia. I have used at least 10 garmin devices spaning from nuvi to edge and now i'm in the process of buying an oregon device. Yes the screen looks great compared to omnia but it can't even compare to resolution that omnia uses. And AFAIK better resolution=more money and that's why our devices don't have such a screen. Plus the only screen that didn't have this issue was my old BW nokia (which i can send it to you if you're so bothered by this phone <_< ).

[Guest Tim-H]

Good grief.

I was referring to the technology, not the precise display.

Of course I'm talking about a 240x400, high-color display. The readability and direct-sunlight performance of the garmin display has nothing to do with those specs. In fact, it's pretty much just two parts of the overall display technology: The polarizing filter on top of the display, and the backlight/reflector at the back.

Garmin deliberately spec'd the display to have high performance under all lighting conditions. Hence, the display. There is no technical reason -- none at all -- that a display with the pixel and color resolution, and size, can not be made using the same lighting performance characteristics.

As for your snarky comment about using the device outdoors, that's your personal situation. Many of us would like to be able to see the display in sunlight for a multitude of reasons.

i wasnt giving you greif. like said above me and like i said in my first post it can be done but the price is too much. i googled sunlight readable display and even the 6'' models were 1000+ usd for good resolution and color. the reason is cost.

[Guest Th3rmal]

I honestly do not see the point in asking "Why doesnt the omnia have ______?"

The Omnia has been made. Its not as if they are going to change it then give everyone who bought it a new one.

Instead of asking why hasnt something been done on a phone thats already been made, why dont you try giving them advice so they can implement it into _future_ phones.

Its so pointless to argue why something wasnt put in, your not going to get anywhere besides starting fights between people eventually.

[Guest dwallersv]

Guys, this is a topic I thought interesting, and posted to discuss it with others that might also be interested in it.

The vast majority of the members here have the maturity and sense to simply move on when they encounter a topic that is of no interest to them, rather than post criticisms of the topic itself, and the originator. That's what I do... the sort of nonsense here strikes me as exceedingly juvenile.

Make no mistake -- I'm not offended, upset, or bitter. I simply am not interested in discussing "why" I posted this, whether I love or hate Garmin or Samsung, or any of the other idiotic off-topic junk posted here. So I'm moving on to other topics of interest, now that you all have poisoned the thread.

Cheers!

[Guest Draconius]

I miss the heat .... PHX is one of the sweetest places i have ever lived...... Rain sucks here in Texas

Perfect for me in Sunny San Diego <_<

[Guest Adrynalyne]

Guys, this is a topic I thought interesting, and posted to discuss it with others that might also be interested in it.

The vast majority of the members here have the maturity and sense to simply move on when they encounter a topic that is of no interest to them, rather than post criticisms of the topic itself, and the originator. That's what I do... the sort of nonsense here strikes me as exceedingly juvenile.

Make no mistake -- I'm not offended, upset, or bitter. I simply am not interested in discussing "why" I posted this, whether I love or hate Garmin or Samsung, or any of the other idiotic off-topic junk posted here. So I'm moving on to other topics of interest, now that you all have poisoned the thread.

Cheers!

In discussions you will find that people will disagree with you, and give their opinion in response to yours. Claiming their opinion as invalid because it doesn't fit your specifications, or agree with you, will kill a discussion quicker than anything.

[Guest Perfectionist]

Dudes !! Chillax and go get a Omnia HD !! <_<

[Guest Tim-H]

Dudes !! Chillax and go get a Omnia HD !! <_<

I'd love to... if it were CDMA, and Winmo.

[Guest dwallersv]

In discussions you will find that people will disagree with you, and give their opinion in response to yours. Claiming their opinion as invalid because it doesn't fit your specifications, or agree with you, will kill a discussion quicker than anything.

To be clear: I have no issue at all with differing opinions. I don't know how I can be any clearer: I'm not interested in discussing my motivations in starting a thread, or my affinity (or lack thereof) for any particular manufacturer. When others feel compelled to raise such ridiculous and irrelevant distractions, I move on.

That's all, nothing more. It is irritating that people have to make such childish comments.