Transparent OLEDs demoed
See-through screens, anyone?
When the whole world’s going OLED TV crazy, how can a telly manufacturer differentiate itself? By creating a transparent model, of course.
LG's transparent OLED screen apparently connected into a PC
Credit: Tech-On
Unfortunately for LG and Samsung, both firms have the same idea and recently demo'd their respective efforts in the field of see-though OLED displays at an electronics fair in Japan.
In terms of size, LG was the winner. It demoed a 15in transparent OLED screen, compared to a paltry 2in offering from Samsung. Sammy has already shown off a 4.3in version for large handheld devices - the 2in screen is for phones, apparently.
The exact technical details of either set haven't emerged, yet. But a report by Asia-based tech title Tech-On said that both sets have a light transmittance level of 30 per cent.
Samsung rather smaller 2in transparent OLED screen
LG’s set has been designed for use in public places, the report added, while Samsung’s panel supposedly has a 176 x 220p resolution.
You can see a video of the Samsung device here.
It’s unclear if either firm has inked plans to develop transparent OLED TVs for the living room. ®
COMMENTS
Science fiction becoming reality
The Minority Report technology just moved a little bit closer.
Who cares about transparent TVs?
The real application would augmented reality. Put this over auto windscreens and eyeglasses.
@JBrown & @Francis Vaughan
Thank you, both of you.
Again, why? What is the point? We already have HUDs that work better than these things ever will. This is a technology in search of a "consumers want glitter" marketplace, if I've ever seen one.
Augmented reality - small problem
The augmented reality glasses won't work. What everyone forgets is that the screen is about one inch from your eyball. You can't focus that close unless there is an approriate lens between the screen and your eye. A lens that makes it impossible to focus on anything past the screen. The current augmented reality glasses use a partially silvered mirror to project the image from a screen though the needed close focussing lens, and hence into your field of view.
Same problem exists for HUDs too. A proper HUD places the image at infinity so you don't need to refocus your eyes, and the image appears in focus superimposed on the field of view. Just a panel on the windscreen will be an annoying blur when focussed on the road, and the road a blur when focussing on the screen.
@ Ed Prigmore
Goggles? How passé: I want my AR plugged directly into my visual cortex, without any nasty interference from the mess that is the human vision system.
Just as long as the spammers don't get in there, of course...
