'EyeBud' for the iPod Video

JonathanGCohen writes "The SeattlePI is reporting that eMagin, a company that makes video display products for military and industrial uses, has a new headset accessory for the iPod that projects video on to a screen smaller than a quarter that is mounted in front of one eye. Its makers say this creates the illusion of watching a 105 inch screen from a distance of 12 feet." The only problem is that the expected retail value of the EyeBud is around $600, about $200 more than a 60 gigabyte iPod.

Comments

We are the Borg

[TheSpoom]

This would be great if they had a red laser on the other side of the screen.

Course, I'd worry about putting it on the wrong way round.

Watch Speed 2 while you drive.

[Morky]

Oh great. And you thought driving with a cell phone was dangerous.

Re:Watch Speed 2 while you drive.

[Ankou]

eh only I thought in Speed 2 they were driving a cruise liner not a car, so yeah youd be ALL out of wack. "Engine room full reverse now, we are approaching the on ramp!"

And *some* genius will be using it while driving

[sehlat]

Giving a whole new meaning to the term "road hazard."

Or...

[NIK282000]

Its makers say this creates the illusion of watching a 105 inch screen from a distance of 12 feet

I'd say it creats the illution of watching a 1 inch screen at a distance of 1 inch. Also it creats the illution that you are a smarter consumer then you really are.

Re:Or...

[Chris Burke]

I liked that description, actually. I thought if you're going to claim it creates the "illusion" of having a huge TV, why not take it to the limit? "Its makers say this creates the illusion of watching a 46,200 inch screen from a distance of 1 mile!"

Who wouldn't want the illusion of a 46 thousand inch screen? Seriously I should go into marketing.

Re:QVGA on a 105" inch screen?

[EGSonikku]

For the same reason I play NES emu's on my 51" Sony WEGA in 1080i Resolution.....BECAUSE I CAN!

"smarter consumer"?

[commodoresloat]

Also it creats the illution that you are a smarter consumer then you really are.

There's no way in hell someone wearing one of these would be mistaken for a "smart consumer." It's pretty clear that anyone who spends nearly twice the price of their ipod to watch video on a screen smaller than the ipod on a contraption that makes the wearer look like an alien is pretty much a complete tool.

Pirates

[TubeSteak]

I think this product will go down well with the Flying Spaghetti Monster crowd.

Since pirates wear an eye patch to begin with, this is the ultimate product for them. No longer do they have to pay full cost for a pair of video goggles they will only use half of.

I can see it now:
Renounce your past relegion.
Be touched by His Noodly Appendage.
Free Eye Patch, Video iPod, and EyeBud upon conversion.

Did anybody get the number of that truck?

[dangitman]

Somebody call an ambulance!

No, wait, look at all this expensive gear he's got. Just take it!

Hey, what does this funny headset do? Oh it's a video display ... hey, porn!

SCRRRRRREEEECH-WHACK

Did anybody get the number of that truck?

It's not the driving that kills you, it's the plot

[dangitman]

Speed 2 is dangerous to watch even if one is stationary.

Re:I doubt eMagin's new toy will have mass appeal

[NardofDoom]

The only way that would be true is if Mac users are, on the whole, smarter than Windows users.

Which is totally believable.
\Mac user.

Why on earth ...

[bearinboots]

... would you need a portable video display for a portable video display?

Used to Bluetooth?

[michaelmalak]

From the nested link to Seattle Post Intelligencer:

But eMagin executives say they expect people to get used to the appearance, in the same way that Bluetooth headsets are no longer uncommon.

I don't know about you guys, but I think Bluetooth headsets make people look like Elvis, and I won't wear one for that reason. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned, but I think a pre-2000 Secret Service wire looks cooler.

Re:For one eye???

[DigiShaman]

Arrrrr...that's right me matey! It's for us one-eyed software pirates. ...arrrrr

Just what I want, a 105" 800x600 screen from 12'

[Fallen Kell]

I mean come on... A 105" screen from 12 feet away... For THX standards, a 4:3 screen of 105" (diagonal assumed due to way computer screen size is measured) should actually be viewed from 10' 9 1/4", not 12 feet.

Or walking...

[jmp_nyc]

This may very well be the last straw, forcing pedestrian-oriented places like New York City to require pedestrian licenses. It's already a major hassle to get around during tourist season...
-JMP

105 inch screen?

[Aokubidaikon]

If you blow up the low-res iPod videos to that size it'll be more like you're watching Lego instead of Lost.