Philips promises foldable paper displays ready within 2 years
Just the other day we were talking about foldable displays being in our future — now Philips says the future is only about two years away. The 5-inch PV-QML5 rollable display they've developed recently is a vast improvement over the first prototype unveiled in February, 2004. It's an ultra-thin (100µm), ultra-light QVGA active-matrix 5-inch display running at a resolution of 320 x 240. When not in use, it can be rolled up into a tube with a radius of curvature less than 7.5mm. The monochrome display is easy to read even in full daylight thanks to a high 10:1 contrast ratio. It also features low power consumption, making it ideal for mobile applications. Philips says they're looking at being able to start production on these displays in two years' time. Awesome — when can we hope for a 30-inch laptop we can fold up and tuck into a shoulder bag?
Filed under: Displays
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
It would be pretty awsome if the next time I pull down the rolled up screen at work for a presentation I didn't need a projecter.
Could you use this design/process to produce a projector free 20' screen ?
Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
They're talking rollable, not foldable... and they're not paper.
Jake @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
whatever it is, its awesome.
hook up a usb drive to it, and you could have all your cad drawings and pull up all sorts of blue prints, the construction industry would get a major upgrade from it.
Hawkins @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
10:1 contrast ratio? Uh... Isn't that, like, REALLY bad?
I mean, even the $99-dollar ones from Tiger Direct have at least a 350:1 contrast ratio.
ravi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
monochrome? that kind of sucks.
morcheeba @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
Yeah, 10:1 contrast is really really bad. But it's the 500ms switching time that will drive people bonkers. I made the pilgrimage to Akihabara and tried out the sony libre -- it has a similar switching time (or maybe a little slower) and it was difficult to move a menu bar without getting confused; a mouse would be impossible.
These screens will only be in specialized applications until they can get faster. They are perfect for changeable signage (departure times, prices, etc).
More specs: http://www.polymervision.com/Technology/Section-13830/Index.html
enzo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
So we're going back to scrolls now, huh?
can't wait.
Diane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:22AM
Great- watch how the advertising industry sucks up to this technology.