Display/Print Convergence and New Technologies

Traditionally, if one can use that word with such a new technology as computing, there has been a separation between display technology and print technology. It has acted to limit the possibilities for some segments, such as digital artists, who have wanted cheap, large and flat display that could be hung on the wall and could display either still or moving images, as the artist required. All this is now changing with new technologies that merge print and display, add display features to print and add completely new capabilities to display.

In this ongoing coverage of these critical developments, we will show here the new technologies available and link to the articles with more detailed information.

Electronic Inks

The first company to market with real products is E Ink Corporation. Their E Ink products is already in use in a range of products and offers some clear indications of the future.

Siemens of Germany has an electronic ink technology that can be printed onto paper using a modification of the normal printing press.

Other Display Technologies

There are many other flat panel display technologies in development, one of the main being OLED or organic light emitting diode.

Epson has found a novel use of its inkjet printing technology to use it to print, yes print, an OLED display.

Samsung is making major progress with OLED HDTVs.

3D Displays

Real 3D displays have been the dream of many and various implementations have been around for many years. These, unfortunately, usually required the viewer to wear special glasses. New developments are changing all that.

Spatial View Inc. has partnered with a number of companies to bring out displays that produce a 3D image.

Pioneer Electronics of Japan has another 3D display technology under development which shows promise.

Royal Philips Electronics has a 3D division and is strongly focused on developing new 3D display technologies and bringing them to market. First products are already on the market.