The
technology is moving at such a lightening speed that researchers are coming up
with strange ideas every now and then.
See through touch screen displays, flexible e-book readers or interactive
data glasses are some of the strange technologies that are almost like science
fiction but soon will become a reality. When it comes to displays, researchers
are working to make any possible surface to display an image on.
Researchers,
all over the world, are working to improve the form factor and designs of
smartphones with the new flexible displays.
Over the past few years, the top smartphones have converged onto the
same form factor: a large touchscreen display on a rigid slab-like device. Now,
with the flexible displays around the corner, old selection of flip phones,
slider phones, and swivel phones has disappeared. This technology has helped
the mobile phone manufacturing and custom electronicmanufacturing in India take a new turn to create new and innovative form
factors. With this, we can expect new devices that will bridge the gap between
a watch, a smartphone, and a tablet.
Before
knowing that whether flexible displays can lead to a revolution in smartphone
design, let us first understand the some basics about flexible displays.
Flexible displays:
OLEDs
are solid states devices that are composed of thin films of organic molecules
that create light with the application of electricity. In comparison to
conventional LEDs, OLEDs can provide brighter, crisper displays on electronic
devices and uses less power. In Flexible OLEDs, there is a use of plastic
substrates that allow the display to bend and twist. In flexible OLEDs, there
is just one sheet of substrate and therefore, they are paper thin and
lightweight and perfectly suitable for mobile phones and wearable electronics.
Currently, flexible displays are used to make curved phones and televisions
because while the display may be flexible, the internal components are intact.
Flexible
displays can be of two types based on either Reflectivity or emissivity.
- Reflective based-E-paper technology
- Emissive based- Flexible OLED technology
Both
these displays can show images and text while being bent without distortion or blank
spots. Both these technologies do not rely on the backlight. However, the
e-paper technology is comfortable for eyes like real paper as it reflects light
and it can hold static image and text indefinitely without using electricity.
On the other hand, flexible OLEDs emit light when its each individual light-generating
pixel generates light when an electric charge is applied.
History of flexible displays:
Surprisingly,
flexible displays have been in development for almost 40 years now. In 1974,
engineers at Xerox PARC developed first electronic paper displays to limit the
waste of paper. This paper was designed to replace physical paper and could be
bend and distorted just like normal paper. The original image stays on display
regardless of whether it was kept flat.
The
famous Amazon Kindle e-book reader uses electronic paper technology. It houses
electronic paper display as well as hundreds of other components such as a
battery, processor, Wi-Fi radio, etc. Although, the display is flexible, the
device is rigid as the other components housed are not flexible. E-paper is not
suitable for phones and tablets as they have a very low refresh rate, ghosting
issues and are yet to be mass-produced in color.
Why
are flexible displays better over their rigid counterparts?
It is believed that flexible displays
will shape the future smartphone display technology because of the multiple
advantages they offer. Firstly, they are highly durable, light in weight and
have thin dimensions with unique software commands. As there is a use of
plastic substrate and their ability to flex, the electronic devices using these
displays are less likely to crack and thus users will be relieved from the
hassle of getting their screens changed. As compared to their rigid
counterparts, flexible devices are lighter and thinner. With its ability to
deform, users can get an access to a set of commands in their devices user
interface. For example, when the device is folded, it will go into sleep mode.
Different
forms of flexible displays:
As the flexible displays are cheaper in
manufacturing, display manufacturers are working on new ideas and technology of
these displays. Currently, curved displays have hit the market in the form of
curved televisions. However recent patent filings suggest that soon flexible
displays will be in the market in the form of bendable, foldable and roll able
devices. In order to accommodate the need for larger displays, foldable
displays are likely to come first. Soon, there will be bendable displays so
that it could be used on individual’s wrist. Finally, there will be roll able
displays that may be used in televisions and eventually a tubular device with a
retractable roll out display.
What
still needs to work on flexible displays?
Before the truly flexible devices hit
the market, there is a big challenge. While the display is flexible, the
machine used behind the display is not flexible. Further, using plastic has
some advantages, but it is not as good as glass when it comes to protecting the
thin film transistor from moisture, oxygen or other outer particles. The gadget manufacturing company in India and around the world will have to work
on the phone technology to make tough enough to handle the effects of daily
flexing. Device manufacturers will have
to work on the phone batteries and circuit boards to manipulate them to flex.
One has to find some cost-effective and workable alternatives before the actual
flexible devices hit the market.
Flexible
smartphones: The concept for future mobile phones
The advent of the YOUM and other
similar technologies makes it evident that there are flexible high-resolution
displays available for mobile phones and tablets. In January 2013, Samsung
showcased prototypes of their YOUM displays at CES. Samsung released its Galaxy
note edge in September 2013 that has curve edge, which shows information at the
side of the display. In March 2015, another Galaxy S6 Edge was launched from
Samsung with two curved edges.
Similarly, LG is also working on its
flexible prototypes and announced the release of G Flex in January 2014. This
was a curved phone. After that, there was G Flex 2 was released. In June 2015,
LG released an 18- inch roll able display prototype at SID and is planning to
make its 60-inch version by this year. Besides this, LG is also working on its
6th generation flexible OLED production line in South Korea.
Apart from these two brands, Nokia also
released its flexible smartphone prototype “ Nokia Morph Concept Device” which
is able to morph into different form factors. It can be expanded into a tablet
and can be folded up to give a wristwatch. This ability to morph between
different shapes and sizes allows you to have a single device for your entire
life.
So, with all these prototypes and
efforts by different manufacturers, it is clear that future of flexible
smartphones is quite near. The times are not far when we will be carrying
a folded device within our pockets and using it whichever way we want.
Comments
Post a Comment