The hi-res screen snowball is about to get bigger.

James Puckett

It’s still to early to call hinting obsolete, but Sharp is keeping things moving in the right direction.

Sharp Begins Production of World's First LCD Panels Incorporating IGZO Oxide Semiconductors

In March 2012 at Kameyama Plant No. 2, Sharp began producing the world's first high-performance LCD panels incorporating IGZO oxide semiconductors. Sharp is expanding production scale through April to meet market demand.

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For LCD Monitors Display size 32 inches
No. of pixels 3,840 x 2,160
Pixel density 140 ppi

For High-Definition Notebook PCs Display size 10 inches
No. of pixels 2,560 x 1,600
Pixel density 300 ppi

For Tablet Terminals Display size 7 inches
No. of pixels 800 x 1,280
Pixel density 217 ppi

Mostafa Hajizadeh

And it's not just about hinting, IMO, because type renders a little lighter on high-density screens in comparison with those with lower PPI. So using this new screens for testing fonts in place of the older ones can change how we design different weights.

Anyways, I'm happy that things are moving in this direction.

Jan Schmoeger

Does this mean that the divergence of designs for paper and for screen is coming to an end?

Nick Shinn

As Mostafa notes, it will take on new dimensions.
After all, typography for coated, matte and newsprint stocks has developed different genres, as has display type.

James Puckett

Another manufacturer, Pixel Qi, is jumping into the hi-res screen business.