Apple Looks Towards Flexible Displays In Future Devices

[WelshBloke]

Unbreakable displays is my 1st thought. That would mean you wounldn't need a case on your phone anymore. Samsung already make plastic phones that stand up to a beating with the weakest point being the display. Plastic is already pretty strong.

Yeah its getting something scratchproof on the outside of the screen thats the problem.

Mind you with a less rigid screen there may be less chance of it scratching in the first place.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I have no idea, I don't know what the clear bit is made of. Although I don't see that its relevant in the context of my post.

Its not. Just a comment. Sorry.

 

[Mopetar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=g3x-bAWZWPM#t=76s

Here's a portion of Samsung's CES 2013 keynote on flexible OLEDs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7Gx_3TaRIPM#t=224s

The only thing that looks remotely interesting in that concept video is the the phone that can also fold out into a tablet. That's actually useful. The only problem with it is that do be able to fold out into a widescreen like that, you'll need a wider device, which doesn't fit the shape of most modern phones or phablets.

The other shown where the screen pops out or the actual hardware demonstrated in the keynote are far less practical. They're far less usable than today's devices. Imagine actually trying to use one of those. It would be a pain. Imagine trying to hold one and actually type on it.

The other curved display device shown in the keynote could already be made today and really doesn't demonstrate a flexible display as it's just curved like that and built into a rigid-bodied device. It's an interesting idea, and I'd like to see them turn it into an actual product, but I don't see how it has much to do with the other flexible displays that they've demonstrated.

You should work in product design, your ideas are awesome.

I haven't proposed any. I've merely pointed out that other ideas have a whole mess of implementation and usability problems. If I knew how to solve them I'd be getting rich right now. Unless someone can actually do that, they'll just shove out some gimmicky product that will be a nightmare to actually use.

 

[Mopetar]

My problem with that is what happens if you hit that screen on that glass edge?

Probably nothing if they've built the display to tolerate that kind of pressure. I don't know if the current types of gorilla glass are good at being bent like that or withstanding pressure applied along the bend, but they're pretty tough so I don't think it would be a huge problem.

I think someone posted something recently about a move towards sapphire displays, which are even stronger than gorilla glass so it's not inconceivable that they could use a tougher screen if gorilla glass or whatever they're currently using isn't up to snuff.

 

[Dari]

Shouldn't this thread be entitled "Apple looks to make Samsung even larger piles of profit"?

Anyway, I think Samsung said they were waiting for flexible glass (was that the "Willow Glass"?) before implementing flexible panels in actual devices.

Why would Apple use Samsung as an OEM when they have Sharp and SONY as options?

 

[Bateluer]

Its ironic. When Samsung releases their first shipping device with a flexible display, Apple will follow them a few years later, claim they invented it an file suits against Samsung.

 

[Barpanda]

How about the battery life? Aren't they making sacrifices?

 

[WelshBloke]

Just thinking about this.

If they can get to a point where they can make large displays it would make for a wicked alternative to a projector.

 

[Raduque]

That still doesn't solve the problem of either requiring a bendable body, along with bendable internal components; or just having a flexible screen that extends from the rest of the body, leaving you with something that's a pain to use and has a terrible weight balance.

It's cool technology, but it doesn't make the phone experience any better.

Your focusing on the wrong thing. It's not about the bendability, it's about the thinness of the display.

 

[Red Storm]

Bending display? Not so useful. FOLDING display? Will change the world.

Think of a 8x8 inch smartphone that folds into the size of a current iphone. One of the folded sections is basically your normal 4 inch screen, then when you need tablet power you unfold that screen.

THIS. For some reason people forget that new technologies have to start somewhere. Flexible displays are one step towards what poofyhairguy explains, and I can't wait!

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Don't see why they can't build a silicon body around that flex screen. The future is going to be SO AWESOME!

Thanks for posting this thread JPEYTON. I would have never seen this otherwise.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Its ironic. When Samsung releases their first shipping device with a flexible display, Apple will follow them a few years later, claim they invented it an file suits against Samsung.

Do you just keep this stuff in a copy/paste template text file so that you can modify a word here and there to make it current?

 

[Mopetar]

Your focusing on the wrong thing. It's not about the bendability, it's about the thinness of the display.

Why are most of the concept videos or demonstrations focusing on the flexibility then? Hell, even the thread title is about flexibility.

Why not just make a thin display and talk about how thin it is? Why bother focusing on the flexibility at all when the number of practical applications is so limited?

 

[arsta]

Looks awesome, but I still favor Samsung over Apple. Purely because of the OS and because in my opinion you can always find better non-i stuff anyway.