Roll Up, Roll Up; Check Out Philips' Rollable Display!

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=5708' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?ContentId=5708</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060110-PhilipsRoll.jpg" /><br /><br />Remember Philips' rollable display which I <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42816">posted</a> on back in September? <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=5708">Geekzone</a> now has a set of 'real-life' images for show-and-tell, so head over there to check it out for yourself. The one above shows a Windows Mobile Settings page on a 100µm-thick 5" Polymer Vision PV-QML5. For the moment, the QVGA (240 x 320) display is grayscale and isn't a touch screen, but the future is definitely here, and it's only a matter of time before we'll start seeing rollable colour touch screens being used in PDAs. :)

[GadgetGirl]

Sweet, I want. :D

[Eriq Cook]

Can't wait til we see foldable Pocket PC Phones running WM7 with built in holographic keyboards.

Back to earth though we're sitll 3 years away from seeing color devices--especially from mobile phone carriers. But its nice to see working models.

(That pic reminds me of my old Philips Nino 500 and Cassiopea!)

[bbarker]

The one above shows a Windows Mobile Settings page on a 100µm-thick 5" Polymer Vision PV-QML5.
What is a "µm"?

[lithium]

One µm, or micrometer, is a measure of length, equal to a millionth of a meter.

[ctmagnus]

What is a "µm"?

Micrometer - 1/1000 of a mm (millimeter) or 1/1 000 000 of a meter. Basically, a very small distance. ;)

[SteveHoward999]

&lt;quivver>

Oh this is a great time to be a PPC geek :D

[jlp]

I DON'T see how this would be practical for a PPC!!

Think a minute folks: imagine you have a tiny device say the size of your two thumbs (about 3 inches long); you take the two halves apart and the screen unrolls. Fine but:

1) where would you put components in such a tiny device ? (battery, memory slot, graphic chips, BT, Wifi, connectors, stylus silo, etc.)
2) it would need to be quite rigid if you want to hold the device comfortably in your hand and use the stylus with the other one: thus taking space
3) the digitizer is already quite thin but the screen needs to be rigidified as well so you can interact with it: it needs material that takes space too.

Maybe in 10 years when battry will be super tiny and extra powerful and all the CPU and IO components will be grouped into a tiny chip.

Looking back 10 years and I can see the battry volume hasn't gone down in size. You never know where tech advance can lead, but I wouldn't bet on that.

PPCs can do with thinner screens but rollable ones means the components in between both end rolls have vanished and I can't see that happening any time soon.

[jlp]

And where do you put the backlight? side (or top or bottom) LEDs and a reflecting back panel.

That takes space as well !!

[SteveHoward999]

I can easily picture a device that looks like a roll of quarters. You pull your screen out of the side, and a (sprung wire frame?) mechanism pulls out with it, giving a rigid frame to the screen.

[jlp]

I can easily picture a device that looks like a roll of quarters. You pull your screen out of the side, and a (sprung wire frame?) mechanism pulls out with it, giving a rigid frame to the screen.

That's how I envision it.

But where do you fit the components: battery, slot, CPU, GPU, connectors, stylus, IO chips (BT/Wifi), buttons and switches, etc.?

They all take a LOT of space !!

[jlp]

A large TabletPC would be more able to cope with such a rollable screen (except with a much larger screen size) and still have enough space to include all the components in the (larger) scroller box.

[saru83]

as much as i like this new technology, i dont want my ppc to have one of these. It would have much better uses than being used in a ppc. :idea:

[Muntasser]

the concept is good but the application will be airy. what I want is longer battery life and more storage thanks.

bigs up to Philips R&amp;D btw - its definitely a step forwards, but like saru i see this being used elsewhere - particularly once the price comes down the possibilities are endless!

[alese]

I suppose the first use of this type of screens will not be in devices that allow interaction, like screen tapping.
It's more likely that this will be used "just" for displaying information, like foldable newspapers, books or maybe maps...

[powder2000]

Think about this, concerning the backlight, I would see no need for one. If the screen is developed in such a way that ambient light would be enough, just like reading a book, I see many applications plus less space needed for components.

[begin23]

I DON'T see how this would be practical for a PPC!!

Think a minute folks: imagine you have a tiny device say the size of your two thumbs (about 3 inches long); you take the two halves apart and the screen unrolls. Fine but:

1) where would you put components in such a tiny device ? (battery, memory slot, graphic chips, BT, Wifi, connectors, stylus silo, etc.)
2) it would need to be quite rigid if you want to hold the device comfortably in your hand and use the stylus with the other one: thus taking space
3) the digitizer is already quite thin but the screen needs to be rigidified as well so you can interact with it: it needs material that takes space too.

Maybe in 10 years when battry will be super tiny and extra powerful and all the CPU and IO components will be grouped into a tiny chip.

Looking back 10 years and I can see the battry volume hasn't gone down in size. You never know where tech advance can lead, but I wouldn't bet on that.

PPCs can do with thinner screens but rollable ones means the components in between both end rolls have vanished and I can't see that happening any time soon.

How about combining with Flexible batteries and memory metal? (Still at least 10 years away though.) Imagine a tablet pc that you could roll up and put in your pocket. Then push a button and it unrolls into a rigid body.

[davea0511]

I'm so uncreative that I just can't see a very practical use for this in PDA's.

... at least that's what it sounds like half of you are saying. And here I am again, rescuing a promising technology from the dark aged naysayers. I just hope Phillips isn't listening and getting discouraged. This same thing happened the last time this technology was posted. You might remember that people also were big naysayers when PPC's came out, when PC's were introduced by IBM, and when the first automobile gave the horse carraige some competition.

Truth is, you don't know how it's going to be used, and I can guarantee you that the "roll of quarters" design is one of the less likely. With a clever design this technology could make a dual screen clamshell into a single large screen PDA with a very small form factor (and "yes", it will also leave plenty of space for memory, processor, slots, and a good sized battery.

Another more likely design is simply a solid screen PDA where the screen is curved inward. Due to LCD manufacturing this is an otherwise impossible feat, but imagine how less bulky your PDA would be if it conformed to the curve of your thigh. Just think - no more jerks saying "is that a bulky PDA in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" You could also put it in your shirt pocket without it looking like a pack of cancer sticks.

And with regard to a "backlight / sidelight" and battery comments... did you guys even see the image?! I'm quite sure there is no backlight and sidelight and it has great contrast! That also means more battery juice because you don't need the light. Books have been around for 1000's of years and they don't need backlights - and that's a good thing.

Open your minds, people. Don't embarass yourself by looking back and seeing how you said a slam-dunk technology had no future because your imagination was too limited.

[jlp]

...

... at least that's what it sounds like half of you are saying. And here I am again, rescuing a promising technology from the dark aged naysayers.

I really resent this too easy rethorical denial.

I say NAY, NOT because I would be of a, quote: "dark-age" neo-luddite type, BUT because I see no PRACTICAL use in smaller devices, and this for at least 6-10 years (if ever).

Truth is, you don't know how it's going to be used...

Neither do YOU, unless you work with this development team at Philips'.

and I can guarantee you that the "roll of quarters" design is one of the less likely. With a clever design this technology could make a dual screen clamshell into a single large screen PDA with a very small form factor (and "yes", it will also leave plenty of space for memory, processor, slots, and a good sized battery.

Then it will be too big when unrolled to hold in your hand. The smallest of todays designs (Acer n310) COULDN'T be shrinked to make use of a rollable screen and yet to include ALL the needed electronics as I already described.

HOW it will be used REMAINS TO BE SEEN, but this prototype is nothing really appealing:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050907-PhilipsRollable.jpg

...
And with regard to a "backlight / sidelight" and battery comments... did you guys even see the image?! I'm quite sure there is no backlight and sidelight and it has great contrast! That also means more battery juice because you don't need the light. Books have been around for 1000's of years and they don't need backlights - and that's a good thing.
...


Paper is NOT a good parallel I think, as this screen is electronic and EVERY electronic screen I know of, especially color screens (NOBODY would ever go back to BW), they ALL need backlight especially to display small fonts and images.

Open your minds, people. Don't embarass yourself by looking back and seeing how you said a slam-dunk technology had no future because your imagination was too limited.

Totally off the wall and doesn't deserve an answer... nobody here said it has no future...

[davea0511]

If you always think what you've always thought, you'll always get what you've always got.