Gizmodo: transparent

Transparent Mac SE/20 vs iMac Graphite

Jesus Diaz — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:50:56 EDT

This is what may have happened if Jonathan Ive from Summer 2001—who designed the iMac graphite on the right—had a time machine to travel back and design the Mac SE/20 in 1987.

The machine was a limited run of ten models, done before the final run to see how everything fitted inside. Charlie Springer—the owner of this transparent SE—removed the metal plates on the side, which were necessary to meet FCC specifications on electromagnetic emissions. As you can notice, the 2001 iMac doesn't have any plates, probably meaning that the components like the CRT tube were shielded directly on their surfaces. [Regnirps via Gadget Lab]

Zak Nudevest: A Transparent Lifejacket For Nudists

Sean Fallon — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:20:00 EDT

What are nudists to do when enjoying their favorite watersports? I mean, safety is one thing, but wearing a traditional lifejacket means unsightly tan lines and breasts yearning to be free. Fortunately a Korean company has manufactured a transparent lifejacket dubbed the "Zak Nudevest" that ensures buoyancy and exposure for the discerning naked consumer. I suppose that the jacket could also be used for clothed individuals that simply feel foolish wearing big, orange lifejackets—but that problem is not nearly as arousing. Available for around $15. [Earlyadopter via TFTS]

Microsoft's LucidTouch Transparent Touchscreen Device Gets All Mocked Up

Sean Fallon — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:30:20 EDT

Naturally, when we first laid our eyes on the LucidTouch prototype from Microsoft back in October, we were intrigued by the transparent multi-touch interface that allows users to control the device from behind the screen. Now, five months later, Microsoft has unveiled some artist mock-ups of what the device could look like as a final product. When compared to the prototype, it is readily apparent that they have a long way to go (especially with that bulky camera), but at least it is still an ongoing project. Whether users will prefer the UI to a traditional touchscreen remains to be seen. [LucidTouch via Pocket-Lint via DVICE]

eXasis Transparent Car: Clearly Awesome

Mark Wilson — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:20:28 EDT

Rinspeed's eXasis looks cool enough for us to forgive their horrid use of capitalization. The car is constructed from aluminum and plastic, and most of the control panel is touch sensitive. As I understand it, the use of clear, conductive Baytron allows the elimination of most simple wiring.

But is there a practical application? You tell me. How many times have we all wondered whether that was a person-or just a scarecrow-that we just ran over?

– Mark Wilson

Product Page [via thecoolhunter]

Designer Garage Makes Walls Transparent or Opaque

Brian Lam — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 22:19:55 EDT

So you just spent a million bucks on a Ferrari Enzo. Do you park it In a regular garage made of regular concrete? Hello No.

Futurists are thinking about this very serious problem. Here's a garage concept, for a time where the rich are even more ridiculously rich, enough so to buy this transparent concrete model for $212,000. Created by architects Neutral, the "Designer Garage" features LCD sandwiched in between the concrete, that can be electronically darkened so the poor people can't bother you with their hunger-stare and "begging for food".– Brian Lam

Designer Garage [Gizmag]

Transparent Screen iMac Mockup

Joel — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 07:30:07 EDT

Since we're showing off our new images capability this morning, take a gander at this speculative iMac mockup, commissioned by MacFormat magazine. Obviously the missing tech for this idea is a screen that fades in from totally transparent to a usable opacity, something that is theoretically possible to do with today's screens—if you didn't backlight them. – Joel Johnson

Future iMac Concept [Rederosity via TheCoolHunter]

More Transparent OLED Madness

Noah R — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 11:39:15 EST

The Fraunhofer scientists who developed the transparent OLED technology I told you about on Friday are not the only ones with see-through powers. An outfit called Universal Display Corporate also has the technology, which they have dubbed TOLED. Universal also claims a patent on transparency, but the two technologies are different. Universal has developed a "transparent compound cathode" that can be 70% to 85% transparent. They are already working with Samsung on some neat-o applications, and have a $130,000 agreement with the DOE to develop Novel Smart Windows Based on Transparent Phosphorescent OLED." The Fraunhofer crew has created a light-emitting polymer, and a new type of metal electrode that supplies current to it. This is where my cocktail-napkin knowledge of OLED technology gets soggy. Anyone out there care to fill us in on the differences between these two technologies and why one might be better than the other?

Displays that give a clear view [Fraunhofer]

TOLED Technology Creates New Display Opportunities [Universal Display]

[Thanks, Matt!]

Transparent OLED On the Way

Noah R — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 10:46:09 EST

It's hard to wrap your head around at first, but there are a zillion innovations that will be possible now that German scientists have figured out how to make organic LEDs that are transparent. The most obvious application is to incorporate them into conventional LCDs and "transform laminated glass into a display panel." OLEDs could also be combined with TFT screens for similar uses.

Thus, the researchers are considering to integrate additional functions directly in displays, such as highlighted areas or flashing warning symbols. By combining the two types, it becomes possible to concentrate a higher density of information content within the same surface area. Project partner Optrex Europe GmbH located near Frankfurt has already produced demonstration models of the hybrid display.

With transparency, a display could be illuminated from the back or front. That means the OLEDs could be embedded into laminated glass—that means a car windshield, or even the windows in an office building, could offer a clear view out but also be turned into display panels when needed. Fascinating stuff, no idea how long until we see these on the market. They are still perfecting the manufacturing process for larger surfaces, so expect to see it in handheld devices first.

Press Page [via Protein]