Kodak places OLED panel order for digital photo frame

Kodak has placed an order with Chi Mei EL (CMEL) for 7.6-inch OLED displays for use in the company's digital photo frames, according to today's report. CMEL specializes in manufacturing OLED panels and is owned by LCD maker Chi Mei Optoelectronics. The supplier is expected to start production of the 7.6-inch panels in September and ship them to Kodak in time for sale during the holiday shopping season.

While OLED technology provides benefits such as lower power consumption, thinner cross-section and better color and contrast over traditional LCD panels used in Kodak and competitors' digital photo frames, it is more expensive, and frames utilizing the technology would be aimed at a higher-end market.

The same sources indicate the OLED panels may also find their way into car electronics and in UMPCs in addition to Kodak's digital photo frames.

Filed under: industry, gadgets, digital imaging
Other story tags: Kodak, OLED, photo frames