UF95_Lifestyle

Television is evolving right alongside tablets and smartphones. The innovative televisions of today are built with connectivity at their heart. These TVs are tapping into the endless possibilities offered by the ‘Internet of Things’, by converging all of your technologies into one place. Smart TVs allow you to access the internet and smartphone from the comfort of your own couch.

Similar to Moore’s law is Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns, which states that the capabilities of technology accelerate exponentially. The law can be clearly observed in the evolution of TV technology. TV in the 1970s was almost identical to TV in the 1950s, differentiated only by the presence of colour. Likewise, TV in the 1990s closely mirrored TV in the 1970s, being primarily distinguished by the addition of VCRs, cable, and video gaming systems as common accessories.

Looking at the slow lurch of technological progress in the latter half of the 20th century, and it is apparent that the pace of change has been dwarfed by the improvements made in the past 15 years alone. The catalyst for these changes began once manufacturers were no longer shackled by the limitations of cathode ray tubes. No longer reliant on bulky tubes, the capabilities of TVs began to grow exponentially. Picture quality drastically improved, screens grew in size and production became more cost-efficient. For the first time, TVs were able to offer with more colours, smaller bezels, and thinner casings.

It’s hard to imagine where television can go from here, but it’s clear that manufacturers are continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible. LG Electronics, market leaders in consumer electronics unveiled a paper thin OLED television prototype that can be rolled up. Just as cathode ray tubes represented the turning point in television design, the unrivalled picture quality of OLED represents a similar turning point for TV innovation. OLED may prove to be the spark which causes TV technology to explode at an ever increasing rate.

OLED’s superior picture quality and flexibility make it the perfect display format for the next generation of smart devices. From form-fitting wearables and rollable TVs to smart automotive displays and bending mobile phones, OLED technology has the potential to turn sci-fi concepts into reality. The technology that powers OLED continues to improve with each passing day, meaning that the OLED era is even closer than you think.

2016 is set to be a banner year for OLED technology. A strong showing at CES 2016 allowed OLED to establish itself as the leading format for the next generation of televisions. LG’s OLED line won recognition at CES and found its way on to many best-in-show lists. Fortune stated that OLED “has been the best of the best in the television world for the past few years – and it’s not slowing down this year.

This rise in quality of television content has ushered in what critics have called, “The Golden Age of Television”. Critically-acclaimed shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad have convinced viewers across the world that what’s on in their living room is just as exciting as whatever’s showing at the theatre.

Who needs to visit the cinema when today’s Ultra HD TVs and OLEDs can offer comparable levels of quality? Why bother owning a separate stereo system when sound bars take up so much less space and sound just as good?