It is apparent the OLED is the next big thing in TV market and the demand will increase. Samsung doesn't have a choice but to move on to OLED TV, OLED is a promising technology.
It is a right move for Samsung spiining off its unprofitable LCD business, I'm suprised it has taken them this long to have upgraded to the recent OLED technology, LCD has been around for about ten years.
I think its more about being the innovation and cost leader rather than fear of competition for Samsung. Atleast in the LCD market, Samsung's brand name has become almost as strong as Microsoft's in OS's market. You might argue about LG as a challenging competitor, but Apple has still alot to achieve to make its brand name in LCD market.
@hm: The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung can't help matters much. I think LG is the second largest supplier of displays to Apple, and then Sharp. Apple is also reportedly working with China-based AU Optronics. There is no shortage of options for Apple, but as long as Samsung retains control of its panel business, there is still opportunity in LCDs. And, if Samsung suceeds in volume production of OLEDs, it may have Apple banging on its door again for the latest generation of panels.
@Jacob: I'm a little out of my depth here, but AMOLED is active-matrix OLED. I think that is the same as AM LCD, which means there is a backplane and current that runs across the screen to provide light. I think OLEDs need a lot less current and possibly non. I know there are passive matrix LCDs and OLEDs, but the performance is not as good.
And yes, those TVs are expensive. I'll do with my LCDs for awhile longer!
Barbara, now we are paying more than double the price of LCD for AMOLED screen. So far AMOLED screens are not in wide spread use and once it becomes popular, mass production happens and hence obliviously the price may come down.
Am not getting the difference between OLED and AMOLED? Is OLEDs are going to use in AMOLED Screens.
With Apple inclined to get LCD from Japanese vendors and LG with huge investment with them, Samsung will face new challenges. If this decision is out of this fear, it may not be good for Samsung.
This move by samsung is definitely a gud one. The LCD market is becoming price competetive and we have also heard of joint venture of sony, toshibha and hitachi to reduce the operational expenses incurred in manufacturing. So this is the right time to invest in future display tachnolgies and evolve as a leader.
"There has also been a move toward manufacturing the panels closer to where end-demand is."
Such a strategic shift is likely to put costs down as many of the supply chain obstacles and price-build ups will be avoided. Also the qualititative factors in favour of production near source of end-demand should be the major considerations to further motivate OEMs to make such a shift i.e. the time and custom duty saved in shipments and avoidance of risk incorporated in cross border trading. However, such shift towards outsourcing should be made cautiously by the OEMs as the perceptions and rumours about low quality products manufactured by the outsourced manufacturer may contributesignificantly towards decline in sales.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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