Windows that Double as LCD Monitors

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."

Comments

Future?

[Malicious]

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

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

a fusion-powered backlight

[Schlemphfer]

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

Useful for me...

[kneecarrot]

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!

Can you hack them?

[MrDigital]

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

Glorious!

Windows that change opacity

[daviddennis]

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

[dasmegabyte]

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!

FBI warning

[Metryq]

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? :)

I swear I'm watching TV...

[hoggoth]

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

Backyard Baseball

[Libertarian_Geek]

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

Opaque LCD windows

[soapbox]

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 . . .

[MikeXpop]

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.

Never Happen

[overshoot]

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

Who writes this crap?

[b00m3rang]

"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 . . .

[Golias]

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?

Re:WIll these new windows BSOD?

[carlos_benj]

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."

Re:in glass houses . . .

[shystershep]

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.