Microsoft's Glasses-Free 3D Display

An anonymous reader writes "The Microsoft Applied Sciences Group has developed a new lens that lets you watch three-dimensional content without 3D glasses. The new lens is thinner at the bottom (about 6mm) than at the top (11mm) and steers light to a viewer's eyes via LEDs along its bottom edge. The 3D display uses a camera to track viewers so that it knows where to steer the light; the idea isn't new, but the required CPU power is now affordable and small enough to pull it off on a large scale."

Comments

cool idea but why?

[Midnight's Shadow]

Ok, I'll admit it is a cool idea and cool tech. The thing about 3D that always drove me nuts were those glasses the never fit well over another pair of glasses so this is a step up but I'm still left asking, 'Why?'

I can't be the only one who just doesn't see the point of 3D and something like 10% of the population can't even see in 3D to begin with.

Re:cool idea but why?

[kalirion]

10% of men are homosexuals, but people still sell pictures of boobs

Are you implying that lesbians aren't interested in boobs?

Re:cool idea but why?

[Man Eating Duck]

Way OT, but that reminds me of a quote from James Randi about coming out of the closet. From the end of this interview snippet:

And people often will say, "But you named your car Sophia, after Sophia Loren." A little blue Miata, a beautiful little jobbie. And they said, "Well, you keep on talking about Sophia Loren." And I say, "Yes. You see, I'm gay, but I'm not blind."

Re:# of viewiers?

[Sockatume]

Several people. They've discussed using it as a privacy screen or conversely to display different sets of information to different observers.

Re:The difference between Microsoft & Apple

[TheCycoONE]

My theory has long been that Microsoft hires people into these research positions to prevent them from coming up with something innovative for someone else that might disrupt their business strategy. These people are then given a decent salary to do whatever they want on whatever schedule; and as a bonus when they come up with something cool Microsoft could show it off for PR purposes (but never actually attempt to manufacture said item because it would just take away from their serious work.)

Re:# of viewiers?

[Dishevel]

Its a great display for families wanting to do different things as well. I can be playing my PS3 my daughter can watch the fucking insipid show Glee and my wife can be watching Avatar in 3D. So how is this useless? Oh I know. You are just mad. Hey I hate Microsoft too. I just do not allow it to destroy my ability to think.