14 DAY TRIAL // Flat panels are pretty much the only sort of display technology that still has any sort of momentum, but it seems even this type of screen has finally passed its prime.
The market segment grew by a fair bit each year, sales-wise, but it won't do the same for the next three.
While sales went up by around 20% between 1993 and 2013, on average, it will drop to 5% growth per year for 2013-2017.
It might slow down even faster actually, until it no longer shows a significant rise at all.
If it happens, curved display technology will probably start gaining ground around the same time. These phenomena tend to have that sort of timing after all.
The large-size flat panel segment won't grow at all between 2015 and 2017, according to unofficial sources from Sharp.
Public displays will go up by 10% though, and desktop displays will experience a 2% improvement, hence the overall 5% forecast.
No clue what new innovations are being worked on, in the hopes of revitalizing the flat panel segment a bit. The people form Sharp just said it was necessary in order to stave off a quicker decline.
Even if the endeavor fails, though, no one is likely to think poorly of those involved. After all, between 1993 and 2013 the market grew by a factor of 30, which is a magnificent achievement.