Chinese attacking your big screen

by Darryl Wilkinson

Remember the Walkman?

Personal electronics has come a long way since the Walkman hit the market in the early 1980s. There have been many failed, forgotten or fading products along the way, such as the mini-disc player and pager.

On the other hand, the mobile phone is one of the greatest success stories in consumer electronics. Much of what you hold in your hand is a combination of products the mobile phone cannibalized and smartly repackaged, and more. The emergence of smartphones, alongside YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, expanded the content we could consume from a handheld device.

And now it’s the Cloud. I have a spreadsheet full of different login/passwords necessary for me to function — so many I cannot remember them. But on the horizon comes simplification, a physical card that will allow multiple device registrations under one network identity. In time, the experts predict that a market of tethered eye-wear, watches, wearable-cameras and other independent screens or devices could take the smartphone’s place.

Such change is mind-boggling, maybe even a little intimidating. The only certainty is how devices that come new into the market inevitably get pushed from relevance.

Do you love your big screen? Nothing’s sacred in technology, not even the latest LCD screen with ever improving high definition.

I read where radical new approaches to projection design and a social media-led marketing strategy will prove a significant and disruptive influence on home television purchases. They’re calling it “Screenless TV” where both laser TVs and lasers within ultra/short throw projectors are entering the market. The idea is to replace flat panel display with laser projectors for more flexible use as entertainment systems.

The trend has already taken hold in the Chinese market, which has recently witnessed rapid growth in demand for Screenless TVs. One online newsletter, called Futuresource, reports that the recent rapid growth of Screenless TVs is expected to account for 75% of global projector sales to the home by 2021. Much of those sales (68%) will comprise smart projectors.

Those hawking these new laser products are giddy. There are predictions on how Screenless TVs will change home interior designs, especially new home construction. They predict it will be nothing to someday be watching 100-inch high definition display.

I dunno. I live in a century-old brick house. But it’s an interesting time to be alive.

Ten years ago if you told me I’d juggle four different remote controls just to watch a little TV like I did last night, I wouldn’t have believed you. And, I’m tellin’ you, as soon as we can get rid of all these passwords for one secure network identity, sign me up.

My guess is that Screenless TVs will add to the technology gap that widens between those of us who like gizmos and those of us who don’t. At first Screenless TVs will be marketed for high-end users, and there’s no claim to the end of the LCD. But Screenless TVs are poised to make a significant impact, a new wave of technology that will become apparent with each passing Christmas.

Technology wars are underway. If Paul Revere were alive, he’d be running wild amidst us yelling “The Chinese are coming, the Chinese are coming…”