Remember the day when television screens were as thick as swollen cutting boards? Those days are over.  Now the world of TV is flat, flat and thin.  Just a hint of a TV, as James Bond would say.  Currently there are already two devices on display from South Korea which utilize the delicate OLED technology. 

The technicians from Samsung and LG didn’t have a lot to haul. It’s 8 kilos for a large one, which is not really too much.  At 55-inches and lightweight, its inner workings and glossy exterior should not be underestimated. The brilliant colors and high contrasts were already reported by attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the US. In addition there’s the delicate casing, as fine as a spring fragrance in the fall . . .  oops, we digress.

OLEDs can be found in the KN55ES9000 (Samsung cryptic) and LG 55EM9600 (LG cryptic), both of which are currently on display at IFA.  For those interested: LG works with white OLEDs, meaning with white sub pixels and a color filter.  Samsung on the other hand, uses pixel-precise technology which doesn’t require a color filter.  LG’s technique is easier to manufacture.  For the layman, OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode.  But for the average couch potato, it doesn’t really matter unless they’re looking to brag about their knowledge.  More readily understandable are these features: Full HD, Internet, Apps, USB, 3D glasses.

Samsung calls their device the “jewel” and raves about its “ultimate image quality.” Well then, the engineers can go home now. They’re job is done. Now its up to the salesmen.

The starting pistol has been fired and the race has begun.  Who will be the first to make it into the living room? And in whose living room?  The TVs will not come cheap.  There were compact cars at the IAA motorshow that were less expensive.

Speaking of compact cars, OLEDs are finding their way there as well.  That’s because the energy-efficient organic light-emitting diode doesn’t just apply to displays as the next technological step.  It’s also the technology of the future for lighting, for illuminating living and work areas as well as cars.  Lighting and auto specialists are consistently developing applications based on this innovative spatial light, showing how the industry will be revolutionized by displaying their first products and prototypes.

It’s worth mentioning that Samsung is the market leader for smaller displays (which they gladly build into smartphones), and LG holds patents.  Note: the conclusion should be taken as a joke.

We’re asking ourselves: What does Sony, Panasonic, Sharp and Aldi actually make?