Wrist-worn flexible OLED prototype is for the military, but kids like it too

Flexible OLED displays are becoming more and more commonplace (and festive), despite not actually being available in any devices you can buy just yet. When that day finally comes, Universal Display Corporation thinks one of those gadgets will be something like the above: a wearable, flexible, 4-inch prototype screen that CES attendees will be able to check out and maybe even try on -- albeit uncomfortably. It's been developed with military applications in mind (they always get the cool stuff first), but bendy consumer devices are naturally envisioned as well. There's no word on when we'll start seeing them in passports or flexi-phones, but we're thinking we have a while to wait yet.

[Warning: PDF link; via OLED-DISPLAY.net]

[d @ Jan 6th 2009 10:23AM]

Something tells me the NFL could implement this...think on the spot audibles w/ QB's or Linebackers.

[kjb434 @ Jan 6th 2009 10:31AM]

It woudl definitely help replace that new wristband card they wear!

[Knee to the Groin @ Jan 6th 2009 10:48AM]

A jersey with OLED advertising,

[RoboDan @ Jan 6th 2009 10:55AM]

I smell a slap bracelet comeback

Here's to the TECH2000's (and yes, in the 2010's it will seem as tacky as the original in the 80's)

[Zelatio @ Jan 6th 2009 12:14PM]

Screw NFL QB's wearing it, I want it! Can anyone say Pip-boy?

[CosterMonger @ Jan 6th 2009 12:30PM]

"PIP-BOY!"

[Brendon @ Jan 6th 2009 2:28PM]

Pip-boy would be awesome,
now all we need is a nuclear fallout

[Boarderwoot @ Jan 6th 2009 10:26AM]

oh dear God! a pdf!!! RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!

[Marcela @ Jan 6th 2009 10:29AM]

The insides of it shouldn't be flexible too?

[STINK @ Jan 6th 2009 10:30AM]

A flexible screen connected to 10 pounds of hardware! Woo!

[ProfessorKaos @ Jan 6th 2009 10:34AM]

Put some ingenuity into that thing and we have some Might Morphn Power Rangers

[@LStacey @ Jan 6th 2009 10:47AM]

Imagine OLED stick on vehicle livery... Entire police cars could flash red and blue... Animated bonnet designs for custom car enthusiasts... Flashing "Don't follow me, follow Jesus" bumper stickers... Oh fu...

[Marcela @ Jan 6th 2009 1:45PM]

...It would increase the numbers of cars crashing tremendously. If not for because would be too distracting(epileptic people should worry?)... but because is too danm annoying.

[Lisa Pohorylo @ Jan 6th 2009 10:54AM]

wrist phones,cameras, name tags for conventions, it goes on and on

[dvsbstrd @ Jan 6th 2009 10:49AM]

Multipass?

[Chris @ Jan 6th 2009 11:35AM]

Yes yes, she know it's a multipass!

[Kevlar @ Jan 6th 2009 11:49AM]

HAHA! That comment just made my day...

The movie was on recently on TV, and I didn't quite get to that part before I had to leave, but man oh man... It's like the most perfect movie ever made.

[erin @ Jan 6th 2009 10:50AM]

let me know when they come out with the slap bracelet version.

[Speedy @ Jan 6th 2009 10:50AM]

Im sure it has a military future as long as it can be durable in outside conditions it could be used for multiple things that i could think of possibly a heads up display or something along those lines

[MadMax @ Jan 6th 2009 11:11AM]

ummmm...can I buy some punctuation Vanna?

[Alistair loveless @ Jan 6th 2009 10:58AM]

i see this doing amazing things for the raver community...

behold my EPILEPTIC ATTACK!

[ugg.tryptophan @ Jan 6th 2009 3:34PM]

unless it comes in a twirl-able tube form, glow sticks well reign supreme!

[Luffy @ Jan 6th 2009 10:59AM]

This is a dream come true for people with bad tempers. Instead of throwing your phone at the wall, and having it still work with a cracked non-usable screen and getting 5 replacements a year, this screen will probably be a lot tougher. Now, how long will the hardware last with all the wall pelting

[@LStacey @ Jan 6th 2009 11:06AM]

Forget the hardware... Think about the poor walls!

[KilgoreTrout @ Jan 6th 2009 11:02AM]

I'm not a kid (I can't remember if I have ever been one) but I like it too

[ralph058 @ Jan 6th 2009 7:24PM]

I beg to differ with you on the military getting the cool stuff first. I've been working in the aerospace industry for 25 years. When I hired on, we were getting the coolest stuff first. Now, we operate on the the trailing edge of technology.

[Richard @ Jan 6th 2009 11:13AM]

I went to AUSA (a big military conference/convention) in DC back in October. Tucked away in the corner of the "food" pavilion was some OLED tech, including the Sony tv. They had a number of flexible wrist-mounted displays on... display. Looked cool! But it won't take off until the chips needed to run and power them are smaller and flexible as well.

Take the Sony tv for example. Sure, you have an unbelievably thin screen but you have that big box underneath it. Same thing with what's pictured above. Nice display, but a massive array of fragile chips below it.

[martin @ Jan 6th 2009 2:26PM]

it's sad to know that they create a military spec' oled that could be shot with a bullet while in gazillion pounds of shock and pressure, but when in the consumer line you'll get a flimsy toyish gadget...

[frennicshift @ Jan 6th 2009 2:43PM]

Well martin, you have a point, but then again the military can afford the extra ~1000 bucks per unit that ensures said durability. Personally, I don't want to have to take out a kidney to buy one of these puppies.

[Inker�inen @ Jan 6th 2009 12:19PM]

Flexible displays..................check
Fliexible electronincs ...........
Nokia Morph........................

:)

[Wwhat @ Jan 6th 2009 12:28PM]

"the U.S. Army’s Flexible Display Center at
Arizona State University, of which Universal Display is a founding member."
To me that's just something not done, universities with army wings.
Perhaps some law should separate army from education because it seems america can't figure that out on themselves.

[Sarig @ Jan 6th 2009 5:08PM]

In Norway you'll get a bachelors degree if you attend the Naval, Army of Air Force academies...

[Wwhat @ Jan 8th 2009 12:47PM]

That's different, I just think a regular school should not be under the influence like that of the government/army, have some self-respect and don't sell out.

[Entity @ Jan 6th 2009 2:59PM]

This is awesome.