Future Vision of Displays, Networking, and Interfaces

There are a few articles and blog posts I read recently that highlight some exciting emerging technologies for the future of electronic displays, networking, and interfaces. One I saw a few months back was Microsoft's 2019 vision video (scroll down for the long version). It's a 5 min video that runs through not only advances in physical devices and materials, but also associated networking and interfaces. Another one was Nokia's Morph concept. It's their take on the impact that nanotechnology can have on devices.

It looks pretty science fiction-like when you watch the videos, but it's closer to reality than you would think. The obvious one that's already a reality in the Microsoft video is the Surface technology. I just came across the flexible OLED display technology that Sony is working on. Awesome to see a working prototype. Another one is a company called Plastic Logic who have built display technologies where transistors are placed on plastic rather than silicon. The immediate application would be for book readers (like the Kindle). Another technology is MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) and Pico projectors. You combine lasers with a tiny oscillating mirror (using MEMS technology) and you get very bright and power efficient display projection in tiny devices. Here's a short, cool animation of how pico projectors works and a news clip (from a year ago). Pico projectors embedded in phones should be on the market next year.

The ubiquity and integration into everyday life that these devices and technologies allows will open up tons of opportunities. Very cool stuff.

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