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."

Old tech

[jkabbe]

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.

Slow glass

[Slurm-V]

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 [amazon.com] collection of stories. Hoopy.

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:FBI warning

[John Courtland]

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.

Saw them about 10 years ago ...

[krygny]

... 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.

Is the other side visible?

[PetoskeyGuy]

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

[ShadowBlasko]

"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.