The Future of Computer Monitors: 5 Most Unusual Features

In the 1990s, computer monitors took up half the desk space, and we had to hang special protective screens on them, yet that didn't shield us from electromagnetic radiation. Nowadays, thin liquid crystal displays are commonplace, but progress never stands still. In this article, discover 5 of the most unusual features we will soon enjoy.

Using a Computer Without Glasses

Individuals with minor vision issues can read books without glasses, but when it comes to using a computer, they can't do without them. However, soon monitors will be able to adapt to users' specific eye needs.

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a monitor that can adjust to the individual needs of users by allowing the brightness of each pixel to be adjusted separately.

Although this technology is still in the development stage and has not been tested on real people yet, researchers have achieved remarkable results with a camera that simulated different degrees of nearsightedness and farsightedness.

3D Images Without Special Glasses

3D images are not a new concept. However, until recently, special glasses were required to achieve a 3D effect. Now, many devices provide a three-dimensional image without additional accessories.

This technology operates using a built-in camera that tracks the viewer's gaze trajectory and delivers a separate image to each eye. High-detail screens are required for this, which are much more expensive than conventional ones.

Monitor Without a Monitor

In early 2014, Sony introduced its Sony Life Space UX technology. It is a projector that creates sharp and bright images from just a few centimeters above the surface onto which they are projected.

By using this technology, the need for a conventional display is eliminated, especially since the projection is interactive and can be controlled by touch. The maximum image diagonal is 373 cm, with a resolution of 4000 pixels.

This technology can be integrated into any piece of furniture, although it comes at a high cost - up to $30,000.

Pandora - A Hybrid Tablet and Laptop

One of the latest innovations, devices with flexible screens, has led to the creation of a tablet that "transforms" into a laptop.

The Pandora device's form factor can change, allowing it to be used as a tablet with a 33 cm diagonal or folded in half, using half the screen as a keyboard.

Flexible screens currently exist only in prototypes, but promising developments like WillowGlass offer potential.

Transparent Monitor

Transparent monitors may seem like a frivolous expense at first glance, but they can be effectively used in several fields. For example, a windshield could double as a display, allowing essential information to be accessed without taking eyes off the road.

One challenge to implementing this idea has been the need to make the pixel feeding schematics invisible as well. However, transparency levels have already reached 75%, close to the necessary parameters for commercial use.

If you're eager for innovations, you can already turn a regular monitor into a touchscreen yourself today.