The big-screen multi-touch, which comes with a high price tag, can be used in public places like airports, hotels and shopping centers.

The width of the displays on offer was a particular focus during the show.

LG Display showcased a 42-inch model that is 10.1mm thick, and a 47-inch/11.1mm panel.

Samsung exhibited a 40-inch/10mm television that, the company says, is one-fifth the width of normal LCD TVs.

"The key technology of the TV is the LED-backlight, and that makes it super thin and energy-efficient," said a staff member on Samsung's booth.

"The cost of large LED (light-emitting diode) screens is too high for most consumers, so it is still a prototype model."

LED, however, is widely used in portable devices, such as mobile phones, MP4 players (such as the iPod Touch) and laptops (some HP, Lenovo and Dell models). Tianma, which provides small-sized panels, displayed digital frames with seven-inch LED screens.

The Shenzhen-listed company expects the LED will be widely used in products with a screen size less than 20 inches, such as mobile phones.

With industry restructuring and energy-saving awareness, LED applications have extended to handset backlights, auto lighting, notebooks, LCD TVs and even indoor lighting.

Several challenges remain. The complete adoption of LED screens for notebooks is still awaiting technical breakthroughs, and only first-rate manufacturers have the capability to produce LCD TVs with LED backlights.

However, LED screens will account for 30 percent of the global laptop market very soon, according to research firm LEDinside.

(Shanghai Daily March 14, 2008)