Samsung Predicts Flexible AMOLED Screens Will Take Over.
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| Image from TechCrunch |
Samsung is among the first adopters of the high cost AMOLED mobile displays that are slowly taking over the mobile market. And, while some companies might not appreciate copy cat technology, Samsung has positioned itself to profit from every device incorporating an AMOLED display moving forward. AMOLED's thin-film display technology is making mobile computing more streamlined, user-friendly, and energy-efficient. The company predicts a 147 percent increase in demand in 2012, and as a manufacturer, they're aiming to have AMOLED displays saturate the market. The company hopes to see an increase in the smartphones, tablets, and televisions that use the technology, and they're well on their way to fulfilling their vision with companies like LG, Apple, and HP helping to make it an industry standard.
HP shared demonstrations of the flexible AMOLED display as a plastic prototype back in 2009, and Samsung shared the display's mobile potential with their super attractive Galaxy Skin concept in January of 2012. The ability to fold or roll a laptop and carry an ultra-thin phone in the slimmest of pockets is impressive enough to consider. But, the possibilities for flexible "e-paper" already have a sizeable built-in market awaiting them. If Kindles and Nooks have threatened the profits of publishing houses, imagine the impact of e-paper on every aspect of the print publishing industry. Samsung is developing a format for computing, mobile communications, and e-reading that has arrived much sooner than consumers expected.
Pricing could become a concern if AMOLED technology doesn't take over the market as fast as Samsung is predicting, but the capacity of the flexible AMOLED's plastic-derived polyamide substrate to wrap itself around a one-inch cylinder places it in an exclusive class. AMOLED screens are vibrant and they don't consume very much energy. Whether they take off in 2012 or not, it's sure they'll eventually be the screens all mobile tablets and phones are using. With a few hp coupons, even a high price tag won't deter a largely interested public. Boxy E-readers are sure to become relics sooner than later.
By using a film instead of glass in their flexible displays, Samsung is marketing their offering as "unbreakable." The display recently earned the name, Youm, and it's ultra-thin and light weight has the majority of the buying public at the edge of their seat. Samsung's estimated 2012 release doesn't come with guarantees, but a line-up of Youm products are in the works for 2012 and 2013. And, E-paper is no longer a concept or sci-fi fantasy. LG's first e-paper offerings are slated to hit Europe during the first half of the year.
If roll-up screens are in our future, e-readers may eventually contain a few pages that consumers can actually turn. Super geeks might finally enjoy digital scrolls available for purchase to bring along to Dragon con, and theft will become much harder to achieve. It's difficult to steal something that can mimic paper and easily fold out of sight. Which devices are you most eager to see flexible AMOLED used in?
About the Author
Daz is a super geek who hopes to see resistive-capacitive AMOLED display tablets emerge that give tree pulp a rest once and for all.
