New Film Renders Screen Reflection Almost Non-Existent 112
An anonymous reader writes "Sony has used the SID 2012 conference to demonstrate a brand new combination of conductive film and low-reflection film that promises to render screen reflection almost non-existent in devices like smartphones and tablets. Sony achieved such low reflections by combining its new conductive film with a moth-eye low reflection film. The key to the low reflectance is the formation of an uneven surface, which consists of both concave and convex structures (tiny bumps) that cover the entire film. The uneven surface means that light won't just bounce back off the screen creating a reflection, and therefore making the screen usable in a wider range of lighting conditions."
Re:Not even diffuse reflection? (Score:5, Interesting)
Eventually (in the next few years) we'll learn to refract all light coming from one side in an angle that sets it parallel to the screen.
At that point we might consider collecting that light on the edges of the screen to charge the device. Or just leave the screen edges uncovered and rounded to let it disperse, leaving a beautiful light "halo" around the device.
Re:And Apple will ... (Score:2, Interesting)
And Apple will make your screen like those 80s mirror glasses and call it a feature.
ORLY?
Then explain THIS Press Release [apple.com], which says, in part "The Retina display uses IPS technology for a 178-degree wide viewing angle, and has 75 percent less reflection and 29 percent higher contrast than the previous generation." (which verbage was pretty much duplicated in Phil Schiller's demo of the MBPwRD at WWDC last week.
But you just go on spewin' that Apple Hate. Afterall, you came to the right place (Slashdot).
Also, Moth-Eye AG coatings existed before Sony's Patent. Here's one that has been a PRODUCT since at least 2008 [hydro-international.com]. And that took exactly 5 seconds of Google search. There may be even earlier examples. So, what's all this about a PATENT again?
Re:SONY "do not patronize" (Score:5, Interesting)
I do not buy sony products. I do not 'forgive' them for the asshattery.
The researchers in the article are not doing "evil crap". They're doing research into reducing glare.
It is an interesting piece of tech and has very little to do with rootkits or screwing the customer.
When it comes to morality it is worth pointing out that almost no research is immune to being used for Evil(tm). No matter who you work for, or what research it is, someone will use it in a negative way.
In addition almost all corporations have some form of Evil in its past or present... To varying degrees for sure, but refusing to acknowledge positive contributions because of previous negative ones is just plain stupid.
Weighting the positive and negative and making an informed decision is the way to go, not going all out 'hurr durr rootkitz!!!' like so many seem to be stuck doing.