Windows that Double as LCD Monitors

Future? by Malicious · 2004-01-15 08:00 · Score: 4, Funny

If they already have them, wouldn't that make them the windows of the Now?

Further, can they legally call them the 'W' word?

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Re:Future? by Orion442 · 2004-01-15 08:09 · Score: 2, Funny

"an opening especially in the wall of a building for admission of light and air that is usually closed by casements or sashes containing transparent material (as glass) and capable of being opened and shut" seems a bit wordy
Re:Future? by Levvie · 2004-01-15 08:12 · 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, ... .

a fusion-powered backlight by Schlemphfer · 2004-01-15 08:02 · 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.

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Useful for me... by kneecarrot · 2004-01-15 08:02 · Score: 3, Funny

I would love it if I could flip a switch and my window would show an image instead of me being able to see my "generously-proportioned" neighbour empty his garbage in the nude. Yes, yes... I know I could also use curtains... but that's so low-tech!

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Can you hack them? by MrDigital · 2004-01-15 08:02 · Score: 5, Funny

Ahh, imagine the world of that hot girl you live beside undressing behind her opaque window and you change it to transparent.

Glorious!

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Comment removed by account_deleted · 2004-01-15 08:02 · Score: 2, Interesting

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Windows that change opacity by daviddennis · 2004-01-15 08:02 · 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

Re:Windows that change opacity by dasmegabyte · 2004-01-15 10:12 · Score: 5, Funny

There's this great new device that accomplishes this. I just had it installed in my den.

It's called "curtains." They install a fibrous semi-transparent membrane over an organic dowel. And it was only $79.95 at some technology wwarehouse called "linens and things!"

While we were there, we picked up this other awesome device that reduces the the effect of water cohesion after a shower...they called it a "towel"...god I love the 21st century!

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The last thing... by addie · 2004-01-15 08:03 · Score: 2, Funny

that most computer users need is to block out more of the outside world.

I recommend a window BESIDE your monitor.

FBI warning by Metryq · 2004-01-15 08:03 · Score: 5, Insightful

Great, so everyone outside will be able to see what you're looking at on your computer (in reverse of course). The FBI warning on videotapes and DVDs states that the program is only for private home use. Will playing a movie on one of these window/screens be a violation? :)

Re:FBI warning by John+Courtland · 2004-01-15 08:16 · Score: 2, Informative

Have you ever tried to look at a non-backlit LCD panel? You can't really see anything. I think that if the internal lights to the home were off (like during a movie) there wouldn't be much of a problem with external viewing.

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Slack on. by m_chan · 2004-01-15 08:05 · 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?

Old tech by jkabbe · 2004-01-15 08:05 · Score: 2, Informative

Maybe the technology is better now but this is at least a decade old. I can't wait until they get this cheap enough for "normal people" to have them in their house though.

I swear I'm watching TV... by hoggoth · 2004-01-15 08:06 · Score: 5, Funny

"Are you staring at our neighbor's teenage daughter sunbathing again, you pervert?!"
"No, I swear I'm watching TV..."

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Backyard Baseball by Libertarian_Geek · 2004-01-15 08:06 · Score: 4, Funny

In other news, there has been a dramatic drop in backyard baseball games due to finincial risks.

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Slow glass by Slurm-V · 2004-01-15 08:07 · Score: 2, Informative

Add a video camera and a hard drive and you've got yourself some slow glass (as per Bob Shaw's Other Days, Other Eyes collection of stories. Hoopy.

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Opaque LCD windows by soapbox · 2004-01-15 08:08 · Score: 3, Informative

For about a decade there has been the technology that allowed office windows to go opaque by using LCD sheets between the panes and a low-voltage current to dim or darken them. The Soviets/Russians developed this idea a long time ago but had little use for it, and after 1991, neither did we...

Now if they'd just give me an office with a window, I could have that nice view of Standing Indian Mountain I've always wanted...

Re:in glass houses . . . by MikeXpop · 2004-01-15 08:08 · 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.

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Bye Bye Curtains by MissMarvel · 2004-01-15 08:09 · 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.

So when they get broken... by LordK2002 · 2004-01-15 08:10 · Score: 2, Insightful

...you're paying thousands or tens of thousands for a new pane of glass, rather than a few quid.

That will make the local vandals happy.

K

Never Happen by overshoot · 2004-01-15 08:10 · Score: 4, Funny

Microsoft will sue them for trademark violation -- after all, it's "Windows" in the context of a computer display.

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if the spammers take control of these windows ... by peter303 · 2004-01-15 08:17 · Score: 2, Insightful

Imagine seeing unsolicited advertised around you house all the time!

Hell no! by jhagler · 2004-01-15 08:17 · Score: 2, Funny

That's my porn, I'm not sharing with the neighbors.

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Saw them about 10 years ago ... by krygny · 2004-01-15 08:18 · Score: 2, Informative

... at a home improvement trade show. Not capable of display but of varying the opacity of the glass, thus obviating blinds or shades. Man, they were expensive. About $5,000 for a typical window! I figured by now, I'd at least see them available them in cars. Flying cars.

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People in glass houses... by knitting+fool · 2004-01-15 08:19 · 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...)

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Who writes this crap? by b00m3rang · 2004-01-15 08:21 · Score: 4, Funny

"This concept car, of sorts, for houses"

Wouldn't that make it a concept house?

"Officials say the speakers are high-fidelity"

Whew, I was beginning to worry they weren't going to include any accurate performance specifications.

Re:in glass houses . . . by Golias · 2004-01-15 08:27 · Score: 4, Insightful

I have three concerns about this idea:

1. The level of light behind my display will change throughout the day according to how much sunlight is hitting that window.

2. Birds and baseballs can fly into my computer screen, costing me a lot of money and taking away precious web browsing and TV watching time while I'm getting a replacement window.

3. I live in Minnesota, where gas-filled triple-pane windows are commonplace, to help insulate against our sub-zero (F) winters. How well would this LCD retain heat?

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Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

Re:WIll these new windows BSOD? by carlos_benj · 2004-01-15 08:38 · Score: 3, Funny

BSOD? It says they can go from clear to opaque.

"Dang! I was lookin' out the window when all of a sudden, BANG, it just went all blue for no reason."

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Re:in glass houses . . . by shystershep · 2004-01-15 08:40 · 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.

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HUD for your car? by noc007 · 2004-01-15 08:53 · 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.

Is the other side visible? by PetoskeyGuy · 2004-01-15 09:17 · Score: 2, Informative

So if you turn your picture window into a huge TV screen, does that mean the neighbors will end up watching everything in reverse?

Re:hmmm by ShadowBlasko · 2004-01-15 10:25 · Score: 2, Informative

"Winder what happens when there is a power failure. As with most unexpected events, someone will no doubt get caught out with their pants down."

Actually, no.

I was watching this "Ten Best" program a few days ago, and they were talking about that restaraunt in Florida (mentioned earlier) where one of the bathroom walls is made of LCD glass.

It requires power to align the crystals, thus making the window transparent. No Power = Opaque. Not transparent. So, potty with impunity, it will not go clear if there is a power outage.

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The future windows....... by stfvon007 · 2004-01-15 10:54 · Score: 2, Funny

So whats the weather outside?
I dont know, the windows crashed. All I can see is the blue sky of death....

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Windows that Double as LCD Monitors

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