Cool new privacy glass that you can control via your smartphone

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Cool new privacy glass that you can control via your smartphone

jarledb

Webhead
2125 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 691

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Topic # 119671 10-Jun-2013 03:33

One person supports this post

http://sonte.com/features

Nice for sun shading, for the glas around the conference room, bathroom etc :)

Jarle on Twitter - Senson NZ - WordPress experts

jjnz1

1091 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 84

Subscriber

Reply # 833333 10-Jun-2013 07:29

I want!

Batman

Mad Scientist
19108 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2484

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 833334 10-Jun-2013 07:40

$? Double glazed?

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

kiwijunglist

2718 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 95

Reply # 833369 10-Jun-2013 09:18

Double glazed?

No this is different to double glazing

HTPC: Intel i3-2100 / 12GB RAM / AMD HD7750 / 480 GB SSD / 58TB Storage / MediaPortal / MadVR / Win10
AVR: Pioneer Elite SC-LX87 220W 9.2 Ch AVR
Speakers: Wharfedale Jade 7 Fronts / Jade 2c Center / Jade 5 Rears
Subs: iNuke 3000dsp 3000W proamp with 4x 15" JBL Sealed Subs
Display: Samsung 60" UA60H6400 LCD TV
Accessories: Gefen HDMI Detective with splitter

jonherries

1029 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 74

Subscriber

Reply # 833377 10-Jun-2013 09:28

This product has been around for some time. I believe it uses a special gel insert which becomes opaque when a charge is put across it, has featured on Grand Designs a few times where people didn't want curtains etc.

Problem is it doesn't block light so was a bit useless in place of curtains. From what I understand it is $++

Reasonably novel, if predictable that it could be controlled by a phone...

Jon

jarledb

Webhead
2125 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 691

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 833440 10-Jun-2013 11:09

They are on kickstarter. Price for 1 x 2 meters is 324 USD with a set with 4 for for 1494 USD (More, because it also includes "daisy chain" to put the sheets together.

[]urlhttp://www.kickstarter.com/projects/843725167/sonte-iphone-ipad-android-diy-wifi-digital-shades[/url]

The technology is not new, but from what I understand its been shipped inside of glas panels before, whereas this is sheets that you put on your own glas. So more of a DIY retrofit product.

Jarle on Twitter - Senson NZ - WordPress experts

reven

3395 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 681

Trusted

Reply # 833452 10-Jun-2013 11:34

im probably going to back this. started a home automation project, and was thinking about remote control blinds, but these would be better.

probably cost around $1000-$2000 per room though, depending on how many windows etc....

would want them in my master bedroom most.

kiwijunglist

2718 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 95

Reply # 833461 10-Jun-2013 11:36

I've seen this done before but it was with LCD over glass (probably way more expensive). I don't like that it makes the window partially opaque when it's not on.

wellygary

3444 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 952

Reply # 833463 10-Jun-2013 11:39

I also note that the shots of the film in its "clear" state are really short, it does not look like it as totally clear when in that state, so you will have some degree of frosting visible all the time....

I could be mistaken, but that is certainly what it looks like in the video...

eracode

2933 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 839

Subscriber

Reply # 833469 10-Jun-2013 11:48

wellygary: I also note that the shots of the film in its "clear" state are really short, it does not look like it as totally clear when in that state, so you will have some degree of frosting visible all the time....

I could be mistaken, but that is certainly what it looks like in the video...

The idea looks great but has a couple a drawbacks - first, as wellygary says, the film makes the glass less than clear. Second, if I understand it correctly, the 'clear' state is the 'on' state and 'off' is opaque. This means it's drawing current all the time the film is transparent. Maybe that doesn't matter too much - depends on whether it's 'on' a lot or 'off' a lot. Probably not a lot of current anyway.

They are developing a film that works the other way round - but they say it's in its early stages.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 77

Trusted

Reply # 833612 10-Jun-2013 15:50

One person supports this post

LCD technology for windows has been around for some time, but typically only 50% transmissive so not popular. If this gel requires power to be clear, that can easily be supplied by a solar panel as you probably want it clear only when there is sunlight (and dark at night).

You can never have enough Volvos!