Why are we still seeing the same 7-stroke LED/LCD numbers that we’ve been seeing for a few decades already? Shouldn’t we be way past this crude type of display? The little characters I’m typing right now are fairly sophisticated in comparison.
Because by far the most prevalent computing device is the humble microcontroller–often with only an 8-bit architecture. These devices cost a few tens of cents and generally don’t have enough computing capacity to drive dot-matrix displays. 7-segment displays are easy and require a low pin count. For microwaves, ovens, etc. they are perfectly sufficient, so there’s just not much demand for anything more costly.
where the low resolution is OK they are used.
there are displays of small dots for better appearance in more costly devices.