First OLED Screens To Be Available this Fall

Posted By: Ed Saturday, April 27, 2002 9:23:32 AM

Earlier this week, Philips Electronics announced that it is the first company to be able to produce sufficient numbers of OLED displays for them to be included in a shipping device. The company said only that its monochrome, passive-matrix OLED screens would be on products this fall from a leading electronics manufacturer, but declined to say which one.

Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) is a generic term for a whole group of possible screen types. Philips calls theirs PolyLED because it uses groups of molecules, rather than the more commonly used individual molecules.

OLEDs are made up of thin films of organic materials that give off light of various colors when voltage is applied to them.

Like LCDs, OLEDs have both active matrix and passive matrix forms. Philips current version of PolyLED is passive matrix, in which each pixel is an OLED and to make a particular pixel glow, current is applied to its row and column. In an active matrix OLED, each pixel is made of on OLED and a thin-film transistor. The TFT acts as a switch that controls how much power goes to the OLED.

The main advantages of OLED screens over current ones is the screen itself glows so there is no need for a back- or side-light. This means they require less power and take up less space, two important factors in a handheld. They also cost less to make.

OLEDs have a faster response time so they are better able to show video. They can be seen from wider viewing angles. They are less susceptible to heat and cold. OLEDs have fewer manufacturing steps and use both fewer and cheaper materials than LCDs do.

Numerous companies are working on developing OLED screens, like Sony, Pioneer; and TDK. Research scientists at Kodak invented the OLED in the early 80s and the company continues working with them today. Samsung SDI has said that it expects to begin selling handheld-sized OLED screens by late 2003.

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But when will we get colour ones?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 9:40:25 AM #
Can't care less about mono screens, it aint 70s you know!
RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 11:06:18 AM #
I prefer mono over colour, colour on lcd screens is unusable in natural light. I had a IIIc which in Ireland (not known for generous amounts of sunshine! :-) ) was unusable outdoors between 10-6 most of the year I had it. My current crop of PDAs are all BW and staying that way! OLED may solve this but I doubt it in the short term.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 11:26:27 AM #
To the above idiot...you're basing your opinion on only one type of color LCD screen. If you had some sense you'd know other color LCD screens are perfectly viewable outdoors.
WOW --- OLD
nuopus @ 4/27/2002 11:56:53 AM #
Wow this guy aint exactly the picture of intelligence is he? The Palm IIIc is only ONE type of color display ... and its NOT reflective. They are hard to use in direct sunlight.

Reflective screens and transreflective screens are used in all new units including new Palms. The reflective shines light on a reflective surface under a special layer that distributes the light so it looks like the whole thing lights up. Since its reflective it looks BETTER in direct sunlight.

Now since you are obviously posting on an outdated unit and obviously have no knowledge of new stuff. YOU are living in the '70s. Ironic isnt it? Concidering your post.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 12:11:43 PM #
As the idiot in question, colour screens are bigger power drains are they not? Another reason to stick with mono, what palm app positively NEEDS colour?

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 12:28:26 PM #
First, its good that you admit you're an idiot. Second, there's plenty of apps that do not *require* color. But your agrument is like saying a desktop monitor should have a mono screen just because Notepad doesn't use color. Most every new application has color support, and most old ones have upgraded to color. This argument was settled well over a year ago, welcome to the present...
RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 12:37:40 PM #
Would all of you please grow up and learn to exchange ideas like adults?
RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 1:17:47 PM #
Jeeze some people can't handle an opinion different than their own. Some people like color, others like B/W, for different reasons. Battery life being a huge issue.

If the new screens use lower power than current screens, then they will increase the battery life of handhelds. Some people may choose to buy a B/W OLED handheld because of the better batery life, others may enjoy recharging more often so they can have color.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 1:41:27 PM #
> " Would all of you please grow up and learn to exchange ideas like adults?"

I think it is just easier for people to cut each other down, then to try and have an respectable conversation. I wonder if you people talk this way to those around you, or do you just do this on the net.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 3:38:05 PM #
The mono screens aren't going to be out for a while. Late 2002 or 2003? So I would expect the color screens some time after that. It will take some time for these screen manufactures to ramp up production and until this happens, there won't be a mass rollout of any OLED device. Also, remember that handhelds aren't the only devices that are going to be using OLED technology, so resources will be tight. One thing to keep in mind that just because the technology is there doesn't mean it is going to be used. I mean look at the current crop of handheld screens... Why doesn't everyone use the same screen as the NR70? Now I'm not saying it won't be used, but don't expect company X to announce it's OLED device anytime soon. Also, it is pointless to argue about the pros and cons of mono vs color as you all are basing your opinions on LCD screens, while OLED technology is totally different. And since no one has even seen the screen on a handheld (let alone outside), everything is just speculation at this point.
RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 3:43:44 PM #
"I think it is just easier for people to cut each other down, then to try and have an respectable conversation."

What on earth are you talking about? Are you sarcastic or asinine?

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 3:55:27 PM #
""I think it is just easier for people to cut each other down, then to try and have an respectable conversation.""

"What on earth are you talking about? Are you sarcastic or asinine?"

Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable.

No wonder most people post anonymously here. The first reaction to a comment that doesn't agree with you is to name-call and then talk condescendingly. That's one problem with the net--it's so easy for people to throw away what used to be considered good manners, consideration and respect. It is so easy to insult a faceless post.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 4:09:16 PM #
Black and white screen is dead, dead and dead.
RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 6:33:59 PM #
""I think it is just easier for people to cut each other down, then to try and have an respectable conversation.""

"What on earth are you talking about? Are you sarcastic or asinine?"

This just points out one of the main problems with PIC. Most posters seem to be 15-16 year old boys with 0 business sense and, as shown here, 0 respect for anyone else's opinions. But there is hope, they too will grow up some day.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 7:57:53 PM #
Returning to the point ...

Monochrome is just fine. For me, colour is not important or even desirable, and I don't wish to pay for gimmicks I don't use.

I can't wait to see the quality of these OLED screens. If they are as good as people say, this should be a real breakthrough in the technology of handhelds.

This, plus a physically bigger, on a m500 sized pda would be awesome.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
4s @ 4/27/2002 8:57:28 PM #
I agree. I am beginning to wonder if I jumped the gun getting an m515. I just can't help but think really cool stuff is around the corner.

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
easypeasy @ 4/27/2002 11:56:41 PM #
Cool stuff is always around the corner. But you only need to buy what fits the bill right now.

Reflective TFTs are great in sunlight when compared to older TFT technologies. However Color OLED will have even better contrast than the current crop of Reflective TFT plus they dont need a lighting layer when used in darker environments. The mose emphasized improvments for PDA are however its lower power consumption and smaller form factor. Imagine PDAs with longer battery life and even thinner form factors :)

Battery power alone is enough to make many people wait for X-Scale PPCs.

The interesting question would be the different between active and passive OLEDs apart for response times. Would it affect the clarity?

Monochrome OLED are still interesting to many. For instance you dont need colour to read many ebooks :)


RE: But when will we get colour ones?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/28/2002 9:02:24 PM #
I can't wait for some of this stuff to hit the market. I'm also waiting to see actual working models of eInk displays. (www.eink.com). One of the samples used on one of the eInk web pages is of an eInk display running what appears to be PalmOS. I keep thinking that this may be what is coming for the Treo color model. Only time will tell.

JBH

RE: But when will we get colour ones?
jjsoh @ 4/29/2002 12:12:20 AM #
"Would all of you please grow up and learn to exchange ideas like adults?"

This is the PIC forum! There'll be no "adult conversations" here!! :) (I'd use the *wink* emoticon, but they never display right in this message board. :( Weird.)


Jim

Treo 270 screen

danger @ 4/27/2002 9:52:30 AM #
What technology is the Treo 270 supposed to use? I was under the impression it would be OLED but it's coming out too soon for that.
RE: Treo 270 screen
fkclo @ 4/27/2002 2:30:49 PM #
When Handspring launched Treo180 in Hong Kong, I did ask their VP for International Marketing about the screen display for Treo 270. All he said was the screen for Treo 270 will be the "first of its kind" for handheld, but he didn't say more.

Obviously OLED is not on the list for Handspring for the time being. I just wonder what else they might have in their pocket for the colour display.

Francis Lo, HKG

RE: Treo 270 screen
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 3:11:04 PM #
Color OLED screen is not ready for general PDA use, it still need another 5 yrs or so. The polymers still tend to degrade under high temperature heavy use.

My musing about Treo, i doubt it even has high tech low temp poly silicon transreflective. The screen production is still limited and company like sharp/Sony tend to use it in their own product first before giving it to competition.

Promising, but...

aaronchow @ 4/27/2002 3:42:46 PM #
The OLED technology is very promising, but I've heard that it has a shorter life-time than other LCD technology somewhere on the net. Can anyone correct me if I'm mistaken?

RE: Promising, but...
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/28/2002 7:10:26 PM #
You're right. I think the lifespan of the screen is 40,000 hours or so. This is a fraction of the lifespan of an LCD display. This was two years ago, so perhaps the lifespan is somewhat longer now. Keeping the brightness low might extend the life.

Pioneer's car hifi products?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 4:10:00 PM #
Interesting, but what about Pioneer's Car Hifi product line? Some of the tuners do have OLED Displays ("Organic EL"), don't they?
RE: Pioneer's car hifi products?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 6:02:56 PM #
I doubt it, since it won't be able to withstand Arizona desert noon inside a locked car. The true advantage of OLED is really manufacturing cost and build simplicity.

but in term of color quality, specially when voltage supply is no problem like car, TFT still have the best contrast and color depth.

RE: Pioneer's car hifi products?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/27/2002 8:11:57 PM #
Yes, Pioneer already uses OLED displays on some of its high-end car audio systems. Here is a quote from a Pioneer press release:

"CES, Las Vegas, Nevada. January 06, 2001

Pioneer Electronics, the company that invented the detachable face technology for car stereos, again revolutionizes the industry with the first face plate that can display a personalized screen saver. As a result of Pioneer's Advanced Organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, each user can create a unique screen saver by downloading a still image to the headunit display. . . ."

Just run a search for "organic" on the Pioneer Electronics page. Also, I've seen the OLED displays advertised in car audio systems in local Best Buy ads. I don't recall the manufacturer, but it was probably Pioneer.

JBH

RE: Pioneer's car hifi products?
statdoc @ 4/29/2002 7:41:52 AM #
My Motorola wireless phone has an OLED display that is very clear, and certainly is not affected by being locked inside a hot car (it came built-in with my car).

RE: Pioneer's car hifi products?
aardvarko @ 5/1/2002 2:02:02 AM #
I've got a Motorola Timeport T8767, and it's easily the brightest display on any electronic device that I've *ever* seen. It's astonishing.

-aardvarko
webmaster at aardvarko dot com
http://aardvarko.com
RE: Pioneer's car hifi products?
I.M. Anonymous @ 5/4/2002 1:28:53 AM #
I do not believe either the radio or the phone are OLED. At least not the same technology. Theoretically OLEDs are unaffected by rolling et al (think EFC's "Global" communication device). They are also supposed to be superbright toys unaffected by sunlight, blah blah blah, and also you can simply print them (see epson link in previous article here or check out Wired) out to whatever size you want. Unfortunately, at the time of the previous story they had a short useful life.

Glass or Plastic

4s @ 4/29/2002 11:48:20 AM #
Any idea if these screens woudl be glass like most Palms or plastic like the m1xx series? Also, how does their ruggedness compare to the screens on existing Palms?

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