So it's now exactly 4 months after I got my Unitedkeys OLED keyboard. It's a regular 103-keys keyboard, that includes also 9 customized yellow OLED keys.

When I first reviewed it, I said that the OLEDs look good, the keyboard itself is great, but the software is a bit clunky. Now I want to update the review, after having used the keyboard for a while.

Unitedkeys OLED keyboard

My major complains are still about the software - there are some annoying bugs (for example, many times it won't work after a reboot, and you need click on the taskbar icon, and then close the software window for it to work). As far as I know, they haven't issued any updates yet. Also I'd like more options, for example having a key that will change to a different running application.

Unitedkeys major marketing message is that the keyboard is a productivity tool, not just a cool gadget. About the coolness there's no doubt - it's a great looking thing. But I wanted to test the productivity bit. So I enabled the keyboard to work with the two applications I use most:

• Firefox. That was easy, because they sent me ready text icon...
• Eclipse (PHP development). I had to make my own icons. I made text ones, which actually only took a few minutes to make.

When not running these two applications, the icons launch different programs (like Explorer, GIMP, Delphi...). This is actually very useful.

Anyway, now when I want to search for a text in my code, or open a file, or find text in firefox, or close a tab, I can do it with a single keystroke. The main problem? I don't always remember that the keys are there, and after all using shift-F is not so difficult to begin with... and I already remember all those key combinations anyway. When I do remember to use the OLED keys, they are fun to use, and can save a bit of time.

So my main conclusion? The keyboard is cool, and can help with productivity, a little bit, but you have to get used to using it - it won't happen immediately. It might be more useful to use it for less common key combinations, those that you do not remember, or maybe for software tools that have more options (like a word processor, photoshop, etc.).

If you want to try it yourself, the keyboard now sales for 260$, through amazon.com.

Philips have released a short video clip of their OLED Chandelier, which was unveiled yesterday:

Wired reports that OQO has canceled all pre-orders for the OLED-equipped Model 02+. It turns out that OQO are in trouble - and are struggling to survive.

OQO Model 02+

The Ulta-mobile PC had a 5" touchscreen OLED, 800x480 (WVGA). I hope OQO will find funding and start producing it.

Novaled has been showing a new OLED lamp prototype (they call it the "Victory Lamp"), at FineTech Japan. They have also been showing an OLED-wall, which is about one square meter in size, and made from 12 OLEDs (each 20x20 sqcm), and only 0.7mm thin. We've got a short video and photo:

Philips are showing new OLED lamp concepts in a show in Milan (where they also officially announce the Lumiblade OLED panels). There are four concepts on show: standing, wall-mounted, desk-top and ceiling. Some of the lamps are also using LEDs to supplement the OLEDs.  

Philips OLED table lamp concept
Philips OLED Chandelier concept

Philips are also showing OLED for large spaces (such as reception
areas). They show a "wall" that reacts to people closeby, creating a
reflection of their shadows... We do not have a photo of that one yet...

Philips has published several press releases today regarding OLEDs. They are already shipping samples of their OLED lighting panels, and hope to bring these to market in 2010. Philips are also discussing three new types of OLEDs.

The first is Color-Tunable OLEDs: in these kind of panels the user can change the color of the panel. This is a new idea, and they are already working on that. Philips excepts these in 3-5 years.

We know that Philips are also working on Transparent OLEDs, and now they say that these too might be available in 3-5 years.

Transparent OLEDs by Philips

Lastly, Philips are less optimistic about Flexible OLEDs - these might only appear in 5-8 years. Interestingly, more than transparent ones.

DisplaySearch has published a new Quarterly OLED Shipment and Forecast Report, in which they predict that OLED displays will reach 5.5$B by 2015 (up from 600M$ in 2008). Expansion of AMOLED manufacturing capacity will
enable production of larger displays for mini-notebook and notebook
PCs, desktop monitors and larger TVs.

In fact, DisplaySearch forecasts that in
2015, TV will pass mobile phone main display to become the
highest-revenue application at $1.92 billion.

Samsung SDI—whose OLED group merged with Samsung Electronics’ mobile
display business to form Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) in January
2009—had a strong Q4’08. As a result, Samsung SDI (now SMD) took the #1
position in shipments with a 31% share, passing RiTdisplay.

Samsung SDI
(now SMD) has been the leader in total OLED revenues for several
quarters thanks to its AMOLED shipments.

OLED-Info readers get a 5% discount on this report, click here for more info

TekGear has released a new driver board for eMagin SVGA+ XL Rev2 and Rev3 & SVGA 3D OLED microdisplays.

TekGear says that the O5 is the smallest, lowest power and most feature rich driver board for the eMagin OLED on the market today. Features include:

We have recently asked Universal Display to give us an update, and answer a few questions... happily Janice Mahon (VP of technology commercialization) has agreed.

UDC is one of the leading OLED research (IP) companies. They are working on phosphorescent based OLEDs, and have agreement with many companies including Sony, LG Display, Samsung, CMEL, Konica Minolta and DuPont . In face they have recently stated that their technology and materials are used by 'virtually all' AMOLEDs in the market today. We have interviewed Janice back in 2006, and it's great to hear from them again.

ITO Electronics from Japan is showing its waterproof OLED displays - working inside a water vase...

ITO underwater OLED