In addition to the
thrill, the action, and the actual scores, one of the main reasons we are
enjoying the current World Cup so much is the amazingly realistic quality of
the picture we have on large, high-definition flat TV screens at home or in
public places. Not only it is the next best thing to being there, in the
stadium, with the crowd in Qatar, for some it is even better, because of the
close ups on the ball and on the players, and also the instant replay after a
goal is scored, features that only TV coverage can bring.
اضافة اعلان
The ever-increasing reliance on information
technology, which was further boosted by the obvious trend of working and
meeting remotely, has brought this single hardware element, the screen (the
monitor, or the display), to the limelight. This is true across the entire wide
range of devices, from computers to smartphones, not forgetting car dashboards,
tablets, smartwatches, and naturally, smart TVs that can now be considered as
digital, connected, and fully-fledged computer equipment on their own.
Digital screens
are also found in kitchen appliances, elevators, the new street giant
advertising displays, medical monitoring equipment, and airport flight schedule
panels. The list is endless. Virtually every processor-based digital electronic
device uses a screen to visually communicate with users and show the
information we badly need and have become addicted to by now, be it for
pleasure, entertainment, or work.
The evolution in
terms of color fidelity, quality of graphics, refresh rate (essential for
action movies and fast-changing images), pixel resolution and physical
dimensions is a real revolution, a long story that spans four decades.
Whereas TV
screens have reached a level of pixel definition that is at the border of the
ability of the human eye to distinguish and tell the difference, with
extraordinary 4K and 8K resolution and 48-bit depth colors, industrial and
scientific research continues in all directions, particularly in the field of
mobile and smartphones. A foldable screen is the new fashion, though three of
the aspects of this pioneering and specific technology seem to slow down its
wide acceptance.
The first is
cost. At over JD800 as a starting price, most consumers hesitate. Such money
can buy an excellent, high-end laptop computer. Investing that much in a small,
portable device that may be relatively easily broken, stolen, or lost makes
most potential buyers think twice.
The second is
the reliability of the concept. How much would such a rather expensive device
last when its folding screen is opened and closed an average of 50 times a day?
The first model introduced by Samsung about two years ago was quickly withdrawn
from the market. Although it was not explicitly said by the manufacturer,
experts believe that it was because of a weakness in the design of the folding
mechanism.
The evolution in terms of color fidelity, quality of graphics, refresh rate (essential for action movies and fast-changing images), pixel resolution and physical dimensions is a real revolution, a long story that spans four decades.
The last point
is not as critical as the first two, but it nevertheless deters those who
prioritize light weight and convenience. Most high-end smartphones weigh an
average 180 grams. Typical models with a folding screen are in the 240-280 gram
range.
Today, Samsung’s
Galaxy Z Fold 4 is one of the leaders in the field, and selling well, despite
its price tag. Last August, cnn.com said: “Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 is a
fantastic foldable phone, but is it worth $1,799?”
As one can
expect , other players in the industry are joining the foldable smartphone
screen game. Last November, Chinese maker Honor introduced Honor Magic Vs, a
model with which the manufacturer wants to challenge Samsung’s supremacy in
this specific market segment. Honor says its hinge design is innovative and the
device lighter than the competitors’, but at 260 grams, it is still 40 percent
heavier than regular phones. As for the price, it was announced at about $1,600
in the US market.
Those addicted
to watching the World Cup games and who are frequently on the move, far from a
regular TV screen, may go for a smartphone with a folding screen, regardless of
the price. Well, maybe.
Going on a trip
down memory lane: when I started working with computers in the late 1970s, we
had no screens of any kind at all. The machine would “talk to us” by turning a
set of lights on and off, on its front panel, with a light on meaning one and a
light off meaning zero. We then had to decode that to understand what the
message or the result of our computing was. In other configurations, it would
produce a simple alphanumeric printout. Naturally, pictures, even very basic or
with black ink only, were something we could not even dream of back then.
Jean-Claude Elias is a computer engineer and a classically
trained pianist and guitarist. He has been regularly writing IT articles,
reviewing music albums, and covering concerts for more than 30 years.
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