Yesterday the US Patent Office published an application for Apple’s next generation screens. The coolest new feature: a recently developed Privacy function. It would only allow someone viewing the screen head-on to read what’s on it.
It’s controlled by something called a Beam Steering Module, which refracts light off the screen in such a way that it’s visible only within a narrow angle of space. If the technology ever does make it onto the production lines, Apple wants to see if everywhere private viewing is desired — from ipods to medical equipment to vehicle instrument clusters.[Patently Apple]
Swift
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 8:48 AMUmm this tech has been around for many years, office pc monitors in some companies use this sort of film as well. Works as described only people in a narrow viewing distance can see what is on the monitor.
Unless I am missing something?
malJohann
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 9:17 AMThis is described as a “function”, so I’m guessing you could toggle it on or off, so it’s not an accessory but part of the display.
TSH
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 10:04 AMIsn’t this basically how “glasses-less 3D” (like the 3DS) works?