Sharp Corp. has entered talks with Apple Inc., Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. on forming alliances for its advanced liquid crystal display panels, sources said.
Sharp came 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 tieup with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. of Taiwan have stalled.
Sharp is considering providing the three U.S. companies with small and medium-size Igzo power-saving LCD panels with enhanced picture quality for laptops, tablets and smartphones, the sources said Monday.
Sharp has sounded out Apple, Intel Corp., Google, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard Co. about investing after its business performance improves, they said.
Sharp is currently providing display panels for Apple's iPhone smartphones following a ¥100 billion investment by the U.S. tech giant and plans to expand areas of alliance with it.