“Flexible displays are a staple of science fiction. Imagine unrolling an electronic newspaper that’s automatically updated via the wireless Web. Or unfurling a screen stored in your location-enhanced mobile device so you can consult a digital map without squinting. These kinds of applications — promised for more than a decade — have almost become clichés of futurist hype. Indeed, as one reader of TheFeature points out in response to a flexible screen announcement by Philips, “Every industrial design student has some (mock-up) PDA with a roll-out display in their portfolio.” So why the hell can’t you buy one?”