Samsung has said that it sees the Blu-ray format only lasting a further 5 years before it is replaced by another format or technology. "I think it [Blu-ray] has 5 years left, I certainly wouldn't give it 10", Andy Griffiths, director of consumer electronics at Samsung UK in an interview. Griffith says the format will be a winner, although not for long. So what are the alternatives Cloud Computing, SSDs, or what? Instead, Samsung is putting its faith in its OLED technology. The new technology, which is "ready to rock", is being held back now due to high manufacturing costs. Griffiths, citing 2010 as a possible date for us to see these OLEDS on store shelves. He believes that when the technology becomes popular it will replace LCD. Samsung previewed two OLED screen televisions at IFA in Berlin earlier in the month, out-maneuvering Sony to be the largest models on show at the show. Coming in 14- and 31-inch models, the screens that are incredibly thin, produce vivid contrasts and colors. Sony settled for second place with a 9- and 27-inch models, but it was not the only area that Samsung claimed a "world's first" over their Far East rivals.

We did cover on Samsung's Library series LCDswhere the company has collaborated with Yahoo to offer widgets on its internet connected televisions as it tries to turn the television into an information hub of the home rather than the PC. Samsung further predicts that 2012 we will be in a true HD world. With 4 years to go, the prospect sounds exciting, but by then Blu-ray will be -if Samsung is to be believed- on its last legs.

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