The next Valentine’s Day may be nine months away, but NEC’s hoping that you’ll favour its heart-shaped LCD over chocolates and flowers when 14 February does roll around.

NEC's heart-shaped LCD: lovely

The prototype TFT LCD display measures about 1.5 x 1.4in and crams roughly 146 pixels into every inch. NEC said that non-rectangular LCD displays are already being integrated into cars as replacements for speedometer dials. But not heart-shaped ones, we'd say.

NEC claims that the more complex the shape of LCD, the more difficult it is to accommodate the wiring patterns. But, unless drivers suddenly starting demanding heart shaped speedometers, then NEC’s doing little more than touting its technical prowess with the latest LCD design.

Last week LG unveiled the world’s largest circular LCD, which came in at a massive 1.4in in diameter. LG said the display could be used in digital photo frames, display panels in home electronics and watches.