Apple iWatch On Docket As LG Flexible OLED Display Deal Made

LG will supply flexible OLED displays for Apple's much anticipated "iWatch" project, the results of which will be unleashed to consumers sometime next year, various industry insiders are signaling. But the Korean company will only be a secondary provider for the displays, if Seoul-based HMC Investment Securities analyst Kim Young-woo's estimation is of any import. Taiwan-based RiTDisplay will be the primary source, he told The Korea Herald.

"Instead of relying on one supplier for its iWatch, which will be unveiled next year, Apple will have two vendors to be safe. The key provider will be RiTDisplay and LG Display will be the second," Young-woo said. "Japan Display might also be a candidate, but so far its capacity seems lacking."

Nowhere is it currently indicated that early speculations that Corning Glass's ultra-flexible, ultra-thin, ultra-light Willow Glass will be used in the iWatch still carry any weight. For now it seems Apple will go the way of Pebble–and somewhat the way of Galaxy Gear–by incorporating a somewhat less impressive design that stops short of wrapping the display completely around the wrist.

The iWatch will likely pair with an iPhone or other iOS device to issue alerts, sync with Siri, and provide touch interaction. It may additionally emphasize home automation applications that control entertainment systems, HVAC systems, and perhaps home security hardware in the future. The OLED display will allow it the contours required to form-fit to the wrist.

SOURCE: The Korea Herald