I'm somewhat surprised that they didn't go for bare die versions of ICs like the MCU, since COF is another quite-established technology for cheap flexible electronics.
You're very right, we should clarify. The technologies not previously available to the public refer to the printed electronics components: electrochromic displays, printed carbon-zinc batteries, LED die chips on film, printed polymer solar cells and printed light sensors.
FPCs have been around for many decades:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_electronics#History
I'm somewhat surprised that they didn't go for bare die versions of ICs like the MCU, since COF is another quite-established technology for cheap flexible electronics.