Researchers create an OLED panel with inflatable keyboard

29 April 2023
The tech is still far from going into production, though.

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nick is my name, 14 May 2023micro led is better, oled is not good for long time usingWell for phones this matters less, as you usually do not use them with AOD (for smart watches it DO matter though), so in this context I guess it is a matter of what works best flexible.

    • n
    • nick is my name
    • wra
    • 14 May 2023

    micro led is better, oled is not good for long time using

      • R
      • Robin
      • fCN
      • 06 May 2023

      db102000, 03 May 2023Great, another useless thing that will add an extra $500 to... moreYa bro u r right

        Great, another useless thing that will add an extra $500 to the smartphone cost

          IpsDisplay, 01 May 2023I am NOT arguing practicality or as you claim "best of... moreBy that logic we can stop all innovations, as people do not miss what they are not offered...

          Obviously physical keyboards as a replacement for screen estate is for over 99.99% gone, and only a niche thing for small developers. As these devices are heavier and more clumsy than touch only devices.

          But that does NOT mean that the way we physically interact with the screen currently could not be improved, so we can interact without looking.

          Whether what we see here is a good answer, is another question....

          I guess something like 8pen/8vim can do the job with current displays, but the learning curve is a bit steep.

            • k
            • kek
            • GBh
            • 01 May 2023

            Sorry, but keyboards are sadly dead in smartphones.

            Blackberry died offering keyboards.
            Samsung sold up to the Note 8 an official keyboard case attachment for their flagships and then it died.

            A lot of factors helped in killing them, including diverse keyboard layout, complex mechanism and support.

            I also believe current software paradigm wont be that useful with keyboards, unless some modification through a skin gets implemented properly (like Blackberry did on their Android devices)

              • S
              • S Yu
              • tLC
              • 01 May 2023

              Thought of this years ago...just the concept of course, no idea how to get it done :)

                EskeRahn, 01 May 2023That a display covering the whole area for almost every one... moreI am NOT arguing practicality or as you claim "best of both worlds"

                I am arguing the the economics the claim that the MAJORITY "misses" it the "most"

                How can anyone even begin to believe that billions of people are out there dreaming about physical keyboards on their smartphones

                It just doesn't add up when the product of a smartphone has standardized/ mature and literally generation have been born without even knowing what physical keyboards at the size of a smartphone is even like

                This is a world where many younger folks can't use a can opener or if you present a TV WITHOUT a remote they don't know how to turn the TV on

                Maybe in Ech oe chambers like here will give an illusion but out in the real world the masses do not miss physical keyboards on smart devices.. not even on steam decks or a Nintendo switch
                .

                  IpsDisplay, 30 Apr 2023Really now so the masses are frustrated and complaining tha... moreThat a display covering the whole area for almost every one is more important than a physical keyboard, does NOT mean that a touch keyboard is optimal. It is merely the least bad today...

                  If we could have BOTH a full screen display AND a physical keyboard under it, it would give us the best of both worlds.

                  Sure if this comes with a substantially increased weight, thickness, price-tag, or creases it would reduce the general appeal.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 7Xb
                    • 01 May 2023

                    I agree with most of the comments here. This won't go anywhere and will not materialize or go in to production even in the far future.

                      Anonymous, 30 Apr 2023You're the out of touch one. Consumers have no choice ... moreReally now so the masses are frustrated and complaining that they badly want back physical keyboards on the smartphones

                      Lololololololololol

                      Touchscreens are ubiquitous... two generations going unto 3 have never used physical keyboards on a mobile device small like a smartphone

                      And you honestly believe it's because the manufacturers took away peoples choice? Why a manufacturers running away from this alleged billion dollars demand for smartphone keyboards 😂

                        • A
                        • Alexander G
                        • S3L
                        • 30 Apr 2023

                        This isn't new tech at all. The company Tactus developed this nearly a decade ago. Didn't really go anywhere though.

                          • i
                          • iPain
                          • mp%
                          • 30 Apr 2023

                          This could be useful for the visually impaired market, providing brail on their touchscreen!

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • Ibx
                            • 30 Apr 2023

                            cmxyz, 30 Apr 2023Reasearchers should create an OLED panel that can deflate p... moreYou assume companies would lower the price of the phone? HA!

                              Navy23, 30 Apr 2023bad idea and it won't make any good to growing populat... moreOptions are usually better than no options... Just saying,

                              Sure for some the fake/touch keyboard works just great, and is a way to keep the phone size down, to primarily the size of the display.

                              BUT I doubt that more than a tiny fraction can operate a touch-keyboard reliably without looking at the display while doing so. But you can do that with a physical keyboard.
                              So you can write a text / an email while walking in the city among people & traffic.

                              If this tech can mature to something that give us the best of both worlds, It could be great. Clearly this early prototype has crease issues even worse than fold-phones, so will require substantial improvements, before being interesting to a wide audience,

                                bad idea and it won't make any good to growing population.
                                blackberry bought flagship with keyboard, that din go well.
                                bringing such tech it's kind of not perfect for general users....
                                worst idea:⁠-⁠P:⁠-⁠P

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • Ljq
                                  • 30 Apr 2023

                                  safin asa, 30 Apr 2023More people who hate tech 😞You and everyone here don't really like tech. You like disposable consumer goods, which is not exactly the same as technology.

                                    • c
                                    • cmxyz
                                    • KgW
                                    • 30 Apr 2023

                                    Reasearchers should create an OLED panel that can deflate production costs.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • vaS
                                      • 30 Apr 2023

                                      Anonymous, 30 Apr 2023More disposable crap. Like what others said, this could open the path to an alternative to the very useful hardware keyboard.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • vaS
                                        • 30 Apr 2023

                                        Anders, 29 Apr 2023Absolutely this. People don't miss physical keypads. I... moreLack of choice =/= acceptance.

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