Major smartphone vendors like Samsung and Apple have been making improvements regarding unlocking devices beyond password-based methods, resulting in the rapid development of biometrics recognition in smartphones. In addition to smartphones, biometrics authentication methods will also be used in tablets and wearable devices.

VCSEL (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser) technology has been at the center stage in the tech world of late, in the wake of the debut of the new iPhone X, which contains a 3D sensing module with VCSELs as its core components. Their importance even made Apple fork over quite an amount of money to secure some of the VCSEL shipment from Finisar, a laser chip producer.

In retrospect, companies had already realized the only way to earn themselves new opportunities in such a mature market is to redevelop their technologies and gear up for niche markets with higher margins. LEDinside picks five trends that drove the LED industry this year and gives a quick analysis on what they will lead the industry to in 2018.

Did you know that the LED lights market is set to grow by 23 percent every year? The industry is growing in popularity but why should you be switching to LED lighting for your home? The main benefit of their use is their energy saving abilities.

Seeing a future with IoT Technology gradually maturing, Lite-On Technology is making a big push into automotive IoT and smart traffic systems and will showcase its products in January at CES 2018. It has comprehensive 802.11P solutions and is developing solutions that meet the LTE-Vehicular mobile standard.

LITE-ON Technology reported November consolidated revenue of NT$18.53 billion, up 5% M-o-M and decreased 13% Y-o-Y. Cumulative sales for January and November totaled NT$ 196.55 billion supported by stable end-demand from core businesses.

On December 21st, the 5th Summit of China Intelligent Manufacturing and LED Industry Development was successfully held at Ji’an City, Jiangxi Province.

According to 2018 Infrared Sensing Application Market Report by LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, multiple applications will broaden business opportunities for the infrared industry. LEDinside targets on the ten major application markets, such as surveillance security, mobile biometric system (iris / facial / fingerprint), digital healthcare (pulse oximetry), gaming notebook, touch panel, NIR spectroscopy, AR / VR/ eye tracking, car sensor, LiDAR and drones, proximity sensor, etc., to analyze the market scale, opportunities and challenges, product specification and supply chain, and provides wide scope and comprehensive outlook of the infrared application market.

LEDinside editor visited Shenzhen Moso Power Supply Technology Co., Ltd., one of the leaders of LED power supply industry, and interviewed Mr. Wu Chunxiao, Deputy Marketing GM of Moso on November 21st, 2017, deeply communicating and discussing the current market situation of LED power supply and its future development.

IQE plc announces its pre-close trading update for the full year ending 31 December 2017. The Group announces that it expects full year revenues to be ahead of market expectations, and to be not less than £150m for the year ending 31 December 2017. Wafer sales are on track to deliver strong double-digit growth in 2017 and to continue to diversify. The three primary markets are Photonics, InfraRed and Wireless.

Technology company Continental is committed to address accidents with its advanced driver assistance, Vehicle-to-X communications, and sensor technologies to turn today's dangerous intersections into safer, more intelligent intersections. The technology detects road users within a 360° perimeter of intersections and communicates the position and movement of these objects to all approaching vehicles, which are equipped with V2X technology.

E-J Electric Installation Co. (E-J Electric) announced their participation in the construction of phase one of the new Kosciuszko Bridge. The new bridge, a 1.1-mile segment above the industrial Newtown Creek on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, is the first major New York City bridge to open in more than 50 years. The bridge officially opened to traffic with a colorful LED light show designed by E-J Electric.

UTC Aerospace Systems, a division of United Technologies Corp., announced that it has recently received a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a set of new, advanced technology LED wing navigation lights for the Airbus A320 aircraft family.

Heliospectra AB, an expert in intelligent LED lighting technology for greenhouse and controlled plant growth environments, announces an order from Revered of Aurora, Colorado. A respected leader in Colorado's medicinal and adult use cannabis market since 2014, Revered will install Heliospectra LX60 intelligent LED grow lights as the company continues to expand its cultivation, operations and branded product portfolio. The order is valued at 741,740 SEK ($88,130 USD).

IQE plc, the Welsh supplier of advanced wafer products and wafer services to the semiconductor industry, announces that its wholly ownedsubsidiary, NanoGaN Limited, has secured the purchase and assignment of a portfolio of patents from Taiwan based Luxtaltek Corporation.

BTB is renowned for its focus on providing comfort and safety in a well-maintained environment for its tenants and customers. To this end, the property manager understands the importance of an exterior that is well illuminated in the evening, providing visibility and a sense of security for all of its building’s tenants and visitors.

Osram Opto Semiconductors has added the new Oslon Compact PL to its portfolio of products for the automotive sector. The LED is particularly suitable for use in vehicle headlights.

A group of Japan's researchers, legislators, and businessmen hope to use rare earth metals in the deep sea near coastal area of Japan to make LED products. They aim to use them for the Olympics and Paralympic Games in Japan in 2020, reported the Yomiuri Shimbun.  

Appearing to be strapped for cash, smartphone screen manufacturer Japan Display (JDI) is currently in talks with Chinese panel makers, including BOE, Tianma, and CSOT, over an investment more than  USD 1.8 billion. The Japanese company hopes to seal the deal by the end of March 2018, reported Kyodo News.

On 22st December 2017, Qingdao Jason Electric Ltd Co. announced that they have successfully demonstrated a 3 Watt high output power 275nm UV-C LEDs lamp, which is only after few months with their recent success on the 1 watt UVC LEDs Lamp development. 

In recent years, high-wattage outdoor LED lighting and LED plant lighting related to the bio-industry applications have been prospering. Demands for three-in-one dimming function and smart timer dimming LED driver grow through time. To cope with the market trend of LED special lamps application and to solve the problems of system manufacturers’ selection of high-wattage waterproof LED power supplies, MEAN WELL debuts the first constant power mode LED driver, HVGC-480. 

Universal Display Corporation announced an OLED evaluation agreement with Royole Corporation, a developer of advanced flexible OLED displays, flexible sensors, and smart device electronics. 

Delphi Display Systems, a visual engagement technology company, announced that they completed the installation of two large format LED digital signs at the site of the new headquarters for the Pacific Symphony and OC Music and Dance.

“At Osram, we recognize the impact that light, in both visible and invisible forms, can have on quality of life, and we strive to incorporate the benefits of light into a wide variety of technologies and applications to make everyday life safer, smarter and more enjoyable,” said Olaf Berlien, CEO of OSRAM Licht AG.

The proven longevity of LEDs was appealing to ownership and they were optimistic they could identify an opportunity to decrease energy use, even though the lights at the facility are never turned off.

The town of Nenzing in Vorarlberg has taken a big step towards the future with renewed street lighting and the intelligent InCity lighting management system. Zumtobel Group Services consulted and supported the complete development and implementation of the smart control system for the 6000 inhabitants city. 

Mixed-reality solution specialist Realfiction will introduce the world’s largest OLED-based mixed-reality display, DeepFrame, during CES 2018.

LEDVANCE continues to advance light by announcing the world’s first HomeKit™-enabled smart Filament A19 bulb. The HomeKit-enabled SYLVANIA SMART+™ Soft White A19 Filament Bulb (MSRP $31.99) combines the future of the Smart Home with the retro look of the past,and is available for pre order for Spring 2018 delivery on Amazon.

Osram Opto Semiconductors is the exclusive lighting partner for automobile manufacturer Rinspeed’s Snap concept car. The Swiss-based think tank created Snap for a future defined by autonomous driving and urbanization. The autonomous concept vehicle, which features many of Osram’s LED, laser and optoelectronic sensing solutions from the ultraviolet (UV) and visible to infrared spectrum, will be launched at the 2018 CES Show in Las Vegas.

Major Chinese LED chip suppliers including San’an Optoelectronics and HC SemiTek have lowered their product prices recently, indicating the end of LED chip price hike that had lasted for one and a half year. According to LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, the recent price drop signals the end of LED chip undersupply, and the next year will witness a balance in LED chip supply and demand.