Normal LEDs look ancient next to Aerelight’s paper-thin OLED desk lamp

By Drew Prindle Published September 24, 2014

Organic light emitting diodes are no longer just for smartphone screens and high-resolution TV displays — in the not so distant future, all the cool kids will be using OLED fixtures to light their homes and offices. It’s already happening, actually. Forward-thinking players in the lighting game like Philips, LG, and Konica Minolta have been experimenting with the technology for the past few years, and while it definitely looks promising, it still has one big drawback: OLED lights are ridiculously expensive. Of the few that are on the market right now, most will put you back well over $1,000 — just for a single lamp.

But there’s good news on that front. Thanks to some recent advances in the OLED manufacturing process, the price of OLED lighting is coming down fast. Case in point: the Aerelight from OTI Lumionics. Unlike most of its predecessors, this ultra-slim OLED desk lamp will retail for just $240 when it’s released early next near.

Related: Best LED light bulbs

That’s not too shabby, especially when you consider all the other tech that this thing has under the hood. In addition to the super-efficient OLED panel (consumes just 7W at full brightness), the Aerelight is also outfitted with a wireless charging dock in its base. Therefore, if you happen to own a Qi compatible smartphone, you’ll be able to juice up your device just by placing it on top of the light’s snazzy wooden baseplate.

Admittedly, $240 is still a fairly hefty pricetag for a desk lamp, but even so, it’s exciting to see OLED light fixtures finally coming within reach of the average consumer. Within a couple more years, it stands to reason that this tech could become even cheaper, potentially kicking off a movement away from traditional light fixtures and helping the industry move “beyond the bulb” so to speak. The versatility of OLEDs affords them a much broader range of potential uses and applications than normal lights, and could lead to some really crazy products in the future.

If you’d rather not wait around for that to happen, however, Aerelight is available for preorder now, and is expected to ship out early 2015. Find out more here.

Former Senior Editor, Features

Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…

Topics

Branded Content

Save thousands on an Aiper robotic pool cleaner during the Aiper Day sale

Man relaxing by pool watching robot pool cleaner

Summer is here, time to rip the tarp off the pool and start enjoying the sunshine. But hold up – the pool has been sitting there for months now. It’s collected a film of algae along the bottom. Somehow there’s scum a few inches above the waterline. Have the tiles always been that color? Your pool needs rejuvenation.

If the idea of cleaning your pool to get ready for summer – and cleaning it regularly throughout the season – is holding you back from planning your pool party, maybe it’s time to phone a friend. Aiper is happy to answer the call.

Smart Home

If you have pets, but hate vacuuming, this Shark robot vacuum is 49% off

The Shark AV2501S vacuum bot.

Nobody really likes vacuuming. Even with manually washing dishes you get to hear the pleasant sounds of water running, but vacuuming is overall just loud and time consuming. That's why we love robot vacuums so much. What we don't like about robot vacuums, however, is the price, which is why scouring through robot vacuum deals is so critical. Take this one, an early Prime Day deal, that saves you $270 on the Shark AV2501S, dropping its price to $280 from $550. Putting this all into perspective, when we covered the Shark AV2501S's 2024 Prime Day deal, it was still $412—things are looking a lot better for you this time around. To lock in this great price, simply tap the button below and make your purchase. Otherwise, keep reading to see why we like this vacuum, and what made it special enough for us to recommend it in the past.

Buy Now

Branded Content

xTool’s F2 Ultra: A smarter take on creative production

xtool f2 ultra on display on a table

This July, xTool isn’t just opening a new office in Mountain View, California, it’s setting up shop with purpose. Their U.S. Brand Launch Experience, timed with the debut of xTool’s first American headquarters, is more than a launch party. It’s a look at how the company is thinking long-term about tools, creators, and community.

At the center of the event is the F2 Ultra, xTool’s new flagship dual-laser system designed for small businesses and serious makers. Why does this machine matter? It helps to zoom out first. xTool’s U.S. expansion is borne of the necessity to show up for the people who use their products every day.
A Local Anchor for a Growing Brand
Mountain View now hosts xTool’s first U.S. demo center and office. That means faster customer support, more hands-on service, and a clearer bridge to the U.S. creative scene. One standout piece of the rollout is the xTool Squad, a national support team offering real human help with setup, training, and troubleshooting.