Last May, Plastic Logic demonstrated a paper-like flexible screen capable of playing video in colour, which is achieved by placing a filter on top of the original black-and-white display.

BBC: Bend me, shape me: Flexible phones 'out by 2013'

Even so, it would seem that full colour, fully flexible displays that can switch fast enough to show video are still some way off.

ECONOMIST: REPORTS

Dr McCreary says he has monochrome displays in the laboratory that can show video at 20 frames per second, and later this year the firm plans to demonstrate a colour display for the first time.

ECONOMIST: REPORTS