Alright, dude! You know how we’re all glued to our Android phones and iPhones, scrolling through endless vertical feeds of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and whatnot? Ever stop to think, “Hey, why can’t my TV or cinema screen be like this?” XAXAXA It sounds a bit bonkers at first, right? Just tilt your current TV sideways, sudah siap? But Lenovo’s already gone and launched those scrolling, vertical screens, right here on planet Earth (not some sci-fi movie set in Kuala Lumpur!). So, could vertical screen design actually be the future of how we watch our favourite shows and wayang? My Gen X brain is struggling to compute this, Brah, but the future’s looking surprisingly narrow!
The Vertical Universe: We Live in It Already!
Think about it: most of the content being created right now is designed for vertical consumption. Short-form videos dominate social media. Even a lot of news and articles are formatted to be easily read on a vertically held device. We’re practically living in a vertical universe on our phones.
So, why the heck are our TVs and cinema screens still stuck in this wide, horizontal format that hasn’t changed much since the dawn of cinema? It’s like we’re fluent in vertical language on our phones but have to translate everything to horizontal when we want to watch something bigger. It feels a bit… leceh (troublesome), eh?
Just Tilt Your TV? Sounds Simple, But…
Your first thought, like mine probably was, might be, “Why not just tilt your existing TV?” HAHAHA! Problem solved, right? Well, not quite, Brah. For one, most TVs aren’t designed to be mounted vertically. Gravity would probably have a field day with them. Plus, the software and interfaces are all geared towards horizontal use. Imagine trying to navigate menus sideways! It’d be like trying to eat nasi lemak with your feet – technically possible, but a proper mess.
But the core idea – adapting to how we naturally consume content – has got legs (or should I say, height?). Lenovo’s rollable screen and other vertical display concepts are a clear sign that tech companies are actually thinking along these lines. They’re seeing the vertical trend and thinking, “How can we bring this comfortable, familiar format to bigger screens?”
The Cinema of the Future: Tall Tales on a Narrow Stage?
Now, imagine walking into a cinema in Mid Valley Megamall, and instead of a wide screen, you’re faced with a towering, narrow display. Would that even work? XAXAXA It sounds kinda weird, right? But hear me out, dude.
Think about the types of stories we tell visually. Many scenes, especially in character-driven dramas or action sequences focusing on individuals, are inherently vertical. Imagine a close-up of an actor’s face conveying intense emotion on a tall screen – it could be incredibly impactful. Or think of a vertical action shot, like someone climbing a skyscraper – it could feel more immersive.
Of course, epic landscapes and wide ensemble shots would need to be handled differently, maybe with clever zooming or panning. But perhaps filmmakers would start composing shots with a vertical aspect ratio in mind. It would definitely shake things up and force a whole new way of visual storytelling. It’s a proper creative challenge, Brah!
The “Narrow” Advantages: Space Saving & Content Focus
Beyond just mirroring our phone habits, vertical screens could actually offer some real advantages. Think about space saving, especially in smaller homes or our cozy flats here in Johor Bahru. A tall, narrow TV might fit more easily into tight spaces than a wide one.
And for certain types of content – say, video calls on a massive screen, or displaying long documents or feeds – a vertical format could actually be more natural and efficient. Imagine a giant social media feed right there on your living room wall! You could scroll through all the kepo (nosy) updates without straining your neck. XAXAXA
Final Thoughts: A Tall Order or the Next Big Thing? 🤔
Is vertical screen design the inevitable future of our TVs and cinemas? Honestly, dude, my Gen X brain is still on the fence. It feels radical, a proper departure from decades of horizontal dominance. There would be massive hurdles in content creation, software adaptation, and just plain getting used to it. But with companies like Lenovo already experimenting, and our ingrained vertical scrolling habits, it’s definitely not a completely crazy idea. Maybe the future won’t be so wide after all. Maybe it’ll be tall, lean, and ready for our vertical scrolling fingers. The future’s looking narrow, Brah, and it’s gonna be interesting to see where it goes! XAXAXA
References
- “Lenovo Shows Off a Wild Rollable Vertical Laptop Screen” – The Verge
- “Always Up-to-Date Guide to Social Media” – Sprout Social
- “The Evolution of Television Aspect Ratios” – Wikipedia