Over the years, I have developed a habit of cruising so-called geeky websites seeking dazzling futuristic toys to tickle my inner nerd’s fancy.
I discovered one such example this week.
At the 2011 CeBit show in Germany, Samsung unveiled its new 46-inch TV, a device different from others because of its transparent screen.
Although the TV is only a prototype so far, CeBit attendees got a preview of its functionality and what I’m sure Samsung hopes will revolutionize the way we utilize not only TV-viewing but computing as well.
Readers familiar with the minimalist movement showcased in science fiction films such as “Minority Report” already know about transparent screens, which are essentially panes of glass that transmit images like a regular TV or computer screen.
With technology such as this in the works, the future opportunities for how we interact with digital images seems limitless.
Local advertisers will no longer be pigeon-holed into displaying their products on billboards or fliers. Rather, they will be able to promote their products directly onto store-front windows.
The new 3D technology, which has only recently been engineered to not require glasses (thank you, Nintendo 3DS), would delve into far greater depths than its current iteration due to the natural backdrop presented by the screen itself. It could provide for a more intimate experience while watching not only 3D movies and television but while gaming as well. In turn, this could expose multidimensional gaming so vastly that technology powerhouses like Sony and Microsoft would follow suit.
Even something like cellphones or tablet computers could find a use for it. Design concepts for transparent phones have been appearing all over the Internet for the past few years, but with this new invention by Samsung, the iPhone 6 could end up having a screen that utilizes this newest feat of engineering.
In short, the prototype unveiled at CeBit is just the beginning in a new wave of entertainment devices, positioning Samsung as a stronger competitor than expected in the world of personal entertainment.
