Nvidia's 1.2GHz Tegra 2 3D chip for tablets and smartphones due this year

The recently concluded CES 2011 brought into focus the Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, the engine that is powering smartphones and tablets, with the likes of Motorola using it for its tablet Xoom and Atrix phone.

While the virtues of Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core were still to be tasted, Nvidia has surprised the industry with reports stating that the graphic chip designer is due to showcase its Tegra 2 3D processor at the Mobile World Congress.

TechEye reported that Nvidia will be shipping the dual core 3D processor this year, targeting mobile gadgets with 3D capability. The leaked slide states spring 2011 as the arrival date.

The 3D focused chip is an SoC based on ARM Dual Cortex-A9 design and clocks 1.2 GHz. Two versions of the processors are due, the AP25 which is targeted at mobile phones and T25 targeting tablets. PC Magazine reported that the processor 5,520 MIPS (Million instructions per second) is 520 MIPS higher than the 1GHz Tegra 2.

It is still unknown as to which devices will don these chips, as the idea of 3D sans glasses has still not gained traction, however, it is reported that LG Slate could sport the processor. Recently, Nintendo announced that its 3D gaming console Nintendo 3DS, a two-screen, touch enabled device which displays 3D sans glasses will be available in U.S. from March 2011. Also, Sony showcased a prototype of glasses-free 3D Blu-ray player at the CES 2011.

At the CES 2011, Nvidia also revealed its plans to build a new set of processors under the moniker Project Denver Tegra 2 dual-core.

Also in December 2010, it was reported that Apple was accorded a U.S. patent related to a technology allowing multiple users to view 3D images on a screen, without a 3D glass. The project is titled Three-dimensional display system that ascertains the position of a viewer and determines the left and right eye locations, and then uses the information to navigate the pixels to a particular spot on screen which reflects it back to respective left and right eye locations.

Also Japanese electronics maker Sharp introduced a pair of Android phones called the Galapagos 003SH and 005SH that sport glasses-free 3D display.