DisplaySearch is the worldwide leader in display market research and consulting. Hsieh said in his blog that looking at the past year and glancing into the new one could be instructive, especially for those who learn from history.

2009 Industry Highlights:
-- CMO, InnoLux and TPO merged.
-- LCD panel prices roller-coastered: first quarter down, second quarter up, third quarter up, fourth quarter down and up by the year-end.
-- The successful launch of the LED backlight began an LED boom to reshape the whole LED supply chain.
-- Panel makers hurriedly announces plans to build new Gen 7 and Gen 8 plants in China.
-- Glass substrates were in shortage, which worsened due to many disasters.
-- 3D and Touch: The launch of Windows 7 and the increase in 3D movies encouraged panel makers to develop 3D and Touch LCD panels.
-- LCD TV panel demand was stronger than expected due to surging demand from China and other regions.
-- Vertical integration occurred everywhere among panel makers, TV brands, component and material makers and TV/PC subcontract manufacturers.
-- Sharp sold 6G plant to China and ramped up 10G in Japan.
-- High contrast ratio and high transmittance technology boomed: Super-PVA (Patterned Vertical Alignment) from Samsung, AUO Advanced multi-domain vertical alignment 5 (AMVA5) from AUO, E-IPS (In-Plane Switching) from LG Display, and UV2A (Ultraviolet included multi-domain Vertical Alignment) from Sharp.

"I have been hearing people talk about the maturity of this industry for many years, but it seems every year we always see many exciting and thrilling changes. I believe you'll feel the same when you recall what you thought about LED backlight penetration in the beginning of 2009. Things are changing so fast," said Hsieh.