OLED (organic light emitting diodes) isn't a new technology. In the early 1950s, French scientists first observed that organic materials created an electroluminescent light when they applied a high-voltage AC current to the materials. Just in the last 5 years the process for creating and utilizing the technology has exploded. Television manufacturers like Samsung, lighting manufacturers like GE, and electronic manufacturers like Sony have used OLED technology in their products. What sets OLED screens apart from LED, plasma or LCD screens is the fact that LED, plasma and LCD screens all need a light source (lamp) to emit a picture, where with OLED screens, each individual diode emits its own light. This allows the screens to be much thinner and use a lot less power than traditional flat screen technologies. Also, they offer SUPERIOR brightness, viewing angle, response time and contrast ratios. OLED screens also allow you to use different materials to construct the screen itself. They can be constructed with flexible materials to allow all sorts of different screen shapes, sizes and formations. See the video below to get a better idea on what makes OLED so unique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcAm3KihFho&feature=related

So what does this have to do with phones?

You know how your mom said there is no such thing as a stupid question? This would be a stupid question! The advantages of OLED in cell phones is obvious! Some phones are already taking advantage of the thin, beautiful screens already. But this is just the tip of the iceberg for phones utilizing OLED. The phones of the future will have bendable or foldable screens, be as thin as a credit card, possibly transparent, and will be able to have substantially longer battery lives, all because of OLED screen technology. Below are images and videos of prototypes from some of the biggest phone manufacturers in the world. These could potentially be your phone of the future. Enjoy!

Nokia Flex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsbZOKahdMw&feature=player_embedded

The Nokia Flex is a prototype from Nokia. The bendable materials that it is made out of allows the phone to work off of gestures. For example, bend the top left corner to go to the main menu, the bottom right one to open your photos, etc. A wonderfully innovative example of how OLED screens are going to be impacting the smartphone.

Kyocera EOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Kyocera EOS is a concept phone from Kyocera. It shows the flexibility of an OLED screen and how it could be used practically.

Transparent Android

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbyoool5ZwY&feature=player_embedded#!

You know when you're playing angry birds and you cant see the screen because your finger is in the way? Problem solved.