Samsung Smart Window – a first look at transparent LCD [Video]

Samsung’s Smart Window has been drawing the crowds at its stand at CES 2012. There’s no word on pricing and Samsung are remaining tight lipped about when, or even if, the concept will launch to consumers but it’s one of the most innovative ideas we’ve seen.

Samsung Smart Window video

What is the Samsung Smart Window?

This 46-inch see-through LCD screen caught our eye on the first day at the show. It’s essentially a transparent touchscreen window that you can use as an interactive computer screen.

There are various applications, examples we were shown ranged from a weather forecast panel, to a recipe viewer or simply checking the time in the clock in the corner. Some, like the recipe viewer take up the full screen – though you can still view the scene through the window – and some just sit in the corner.

You can choose between night and day mode (the night mode blacks out the window) and even pull down the blinds, which can be opened and closed.

The screen itself is jus t 2mm thin and there’s both HDMI and USB ports to connect it up with.

Samsung Smart Window – Catherine’s first impressions

There’s definitely a certain novelty value to the transparent LCD, for example, the option to ‘pull’ down the blinds may wear off eventually but it works brilliantly and looks great. It’s by no means just a novelty idea though, there are many practical applications for this type of technology. Options that immediately spring to mind are retail, offices and even just in a family kitchen. Being able to view content on a screen that doesn’t block out the light is really rather refreshing.

The resoultion on the screen is not great at 1366 x 768 so the picture is not that sharp. It’s not a major issue at the moment though as the applications I saw on the screen don’t really require high definition (HD) quality.

This is a concept product Samsung are showing  at CES so we’ve no news on a possible price, or when transparent LCD technology could reach consumers. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out though, I don’t think we’ve seen the last of it.

You may also like…

• The best of CES 2012 – watch our highlights video
• The Replicator 3D printer – more innovations at CES 2012
• Best ultrabooks at CES 2012 - our top picks of these ultra light laptops