When I read an article about a prototype for a new, transparent smartphone, I nearly laughed out loud: doesn't keeping our smartphones safe already require constant vigilance? Aren't they delicate and easy to drop/sit on/spill on enough? There are so many things I would rather see made transparent, for example...
#1 Curtains Having the curtains closed always makes me feel claustrophobic, leading me to leave them open well into the evening...leading my neighbors to know way too much about my business. The great tech minds need to get to work on see-through curtains, perhaps something similar to Samsung's virtual display "window" show above, something that provides privacy, yet allows natural light in. Something like a one-way mirror, but pretty.
#2 Bedding While we're creating transparent textiles, let's make some sheets and blankets. You'd still want an opaque bottom sheet (mattresses are very rarely worthy of display), but the top sheet, comforters, duvets, quilts, etc, could all be clear. Ooh, sexy!
#3 Pots + Pans Have you seen the amazing photos from Modernist Cuisine? Unfortunately, the best way to view all of them is through an image search, but you can learn more about the process on the book's website. Many photos show food being cooked in cut-in-half pans, allowing readers to see a cross-section of the cooking process. As described in the book, "A technique we used to create many of the cutaways was to glue a piece of heat-resistant borosilicate glass to a cut pot with silicone caulking." Let's cut to the chase and make heat-resistant borosilicate glass woks and stock pots so we can all get in on the action. Who knows what soup gets up to when it thinks we're not watching..
So, would you want a clear smartphone, or can you name 10 things off the top of your head that should be made transparent first? And if so, please name them!
(Images: Design Taxi; Modernist Cuisine)
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I don't know why you'd want your phone embedded in your window. If something hit the window, you'd lose both the glass and your phone. Additionally, they expect you to go stand by the wall when you need to make a call? I thought cutting the cable was a good thing.
I do not own a smartphone so I really cannot comment on that, although I definitely see the security issue.
I can think of some things that I would like to be transparent in some situations and opaque in others. Such as a refrigerator/freezer. No more opening the door and letting the cold air out while you decide what you want/need. But I certainly wouldn't want my refrigerator transparent at all times - the inside isn't exactly picturesque.
There are already windows that let you see out but people can't see in at night. So you don't need the special curtains. . . anyway, how would you know you actually closed them at night? LOL!
I don't understand how making a smartphone transparent makes in any less secure. As long as the casing was as strong as existing non-transparent varieties, it wouldn't be any easier to break than my existing phone.
In general, I'd be all for it - It would still be the same size and shape, but look less bulky sitting on my desk. I might lose it a little more easily, but would probably adjust. Granted, it would probably attract more fingerprint/makeup smudges, I don't see any huge security issue with simply making a phone transparent.
I thought AT was hoping for a clear smartphone??
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-iphone-5-we-wish-was-coming-this-year-172790
This is awesome! Why the H*** is this article negative?? It's like Battlestar Galactic is real! Transparent sheets? Are you insane?
I believe that Jack Donaghy is hard at work on transparent dishwashers even as we speak.
Clear underwear so it doesn't show through your clothes. < / sarcasm >
Didn't this fad already happen about 15 years ago? Clear Pepsi, anyone?
The major downside with transparent smartphones is that your greasy earprints are there for all the world to see. Yuck! Besides where the battery and electronics would go?
Now Wonder Woman's transparent plane.....
Shopping for accessories for that phone would be a nightmare