Struggling electronics maker Sharp Corp. (6753.TO) has entered
talks with Apple Inc (AAPL) , Google Inc. (GOOG) and Microsoft
Corp. (MSFT) on forming alliances for its advanced liquid crystal
display panels, according to sources close to the matter, Kyodo
News reported Tuesday.
Sharp has come up with the idea with an eye to possible joint
development of digital products such as tablets at a time when
negotiations on a capital tie-up with Hon Hai Precision Industry
Co. (2317.TW) of Taiwan have stalled.
Sharp is considering providing the three U.S. companies with
small and medium-sized Igzo power-saving LCD panels with enhanced
picture quality for laptops, tablets and smartphones, the sources
said.
Sharp has sounded out Apple, Intel Corp, Google, Microsoft and
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ) about investing in the Japanese
electronics maker after its business performance improves, they
said.
Sharp is currently providing display panels for Apple's iPhone
smartphones following a Y100 billion investment by the U.S. tech
giant and plans to expand areas of alliance with it.
The sources also said Sharp is in talks with several Japanese
companies for the supply of indium gallium zinc oxide panels, while
negotiating with U.S. chip giant Intel (INTC) to jointly develop
microprocessors.
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