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Windows that Double as LCD Monitors

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the everything-should-be-multi-purpose dept.

Mynister writes "The AP has a story about the windows of the future they can go from clear to opaque and the can also act as an LCD TV or Computer Monitor. They accomplish it by placing a LCD Screen over the window and embed the speakers in the frame."

11 of 275 comments (clear)

  1. a fusion-powered backlight by Schlemphfer · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is basically an LCD monitor, using the sun instead of a backlight. Brings a new meaning to Microsoft's "Windows Everywhere" ads.

    --
    I'm generally "Interesting," "Insightful," and even "Funny" here. What the hell happens to me at parties?
  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. Windows that change opacity by daviddennis · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This seems pretty cool to me.

    I just bought a house, and it has a beautiful living room with windows on each side. I like it because I can soak in the view from the windows. But I don't like it because the light from the windows can completely overwhelm the brightness of my screen.

    It would be very cool to have my window turn partially transparent so I could still enjoy the view but not have it overwhelm the screen. Very cool idea.

    Anyone know how much this costs?

    D

    1. Re:Windows that change opacity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      > I just bought a house, and it has a beautiful living room with windows on each side.
      > I like it because I can soak in the view from the windows. But I don't like it because
      > the light from the windows can completely overwhelm the brightness of my screen.
      >
      > It would be very cool to have my window turn partially transparent so I could still
      > enjoy the view but not have it overwhelm the screen. Very cool idea.

      As a normal person I would think you're talking about a window that's somewhat grey-ish
      to dimm the light down to an acceptable level.

      But why the heck am I thinking, as geek, that you're referring to a black rectanglular
      shape that's drawn on the pixelmap windowpane, and moved around according to sunlight
      tracking data (or RTC based offline calculation) to cast a shadow exactly onto your
      computers' screen and no-where else?

      And why am I geek enough to know that a rectangular box isn't the perfect shape to
      accomplish this, but rather a 4-corner thing that adapts to where exactly it's currently
      located on the pane relative to suns' position and the angle that your computers'
      screen is placed in your living room?

      So go figure

  4. Slack on. by m_chan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I need one of these magic windows on the door to my office. It could run a video of myself, appearing to be sitting at my desk coding feverishly when I am actually sitting at my desk posting to stuffy matter news sites. Oh wait. What did I need the magic window for?

  5. Re:in glass houses . . . by MikeXpop · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Ah, to be able to kick back in the den on a summer's evening, watching the sun sink slowly below the horizon, and then *CLICK* Matrix Re-re-re-reloaded, without even having to move my eyeballs!
    That would look very strange from the outside. And even if they somehow make this one-way, that would be quite creepy seeing a whole family stare out a window. I won't even mention pr0n.
    --
    Etiquette is etiquette. He kills his mother but he can't wear grey trousers.
  6. Bye Bye Curtains by MissMarvel · · Score: 2, Interesting

    And venitian blinds. Window coverings will automatically appear with the flip of a switch. I wonder how efficent these new windows are with regards to heat-loss.

  7. Re:Future? by Levvie · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I've seen them like 12 years ago in "the house of the future" in Brussels, toghether with an induction cooker, 56K internet, a self-filling fridge and a house with domotica lighting, fully handled by a pc. Still I remember the tour-guide telling us the window-blurring was done using the same technology used for display panels on measuring equipment and calculators, lcd.

    Seems that not everything is being developed at the same speed. Interesting to notice a project like 'living tomorrow' is more likely to show you a combination of living tomorrow, next week, year, decade, ... .

  8. People in glass houses... by knitting+fool · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Just being able to go from transparent to opaque could be a great feature. Think of small apartments with these windows instead of walls; transparency between rooms would make the place feel larger and more livable. If your friends come over you can just darken the windows to your messy kitchen. (You would probably want to make sure that the controls for the windows to the bathroom don't fall into the wrong hands...)

    --
    -- Give us your technology and we'll give you all the cow lips you want.
  9. Re:in glass houses . . . by shystershep · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Birds and baseballs can fly into my computer screen

    It's called homeowner's insurance. I highly recommend it.

    gas-filled triple-pane windows

    I'm ashamed to admit it, but I actually R'ed TFA, and it seems to say that these are manufactured by applying a film that contains the LCD to glass -- so therefore could probably be applied to any type of window.

    --
    The bigotry of the nonbeliever is for me nearly as funny as the bigotry of the believer. - Albert Einstein
  10. HUD for your car? by noc007 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I wonder if this would work out as a HUD for a car. I also wouldn't mind my rear window to display a logo or my frustrations:

    The peddle is on the right

    Learn to drive

    The fast lane is for people driving fast. What a F'ing concept. You are drivng slow. Get in the slow lane.

    Bitch

    Doing 45 while getting on the interstate is more dangerous than safe. Consider taking roads that don't envolve you using the gas peddle.

    Yes, I am an asshole. Yes, you suck at driving.

    Green means go. To go, you hit the gas peddle. Odd how the words greeen, gas, and go start with a G. Anywho, i wouldn't mind a HUD or expressing what I think of some of the drivers around me.