Gadgets That are Obsessed With Transparencies

Designing windows to practically anything, not just our souls

You're probably aware of Mac Funamizu's obsession with transparency (see: The USB Drive for Lazy People). Here are two more concepts indulging his see-through aesthetic sense.

First up is the Zafiro, an all-in-one desktop PC more glass pane than computer. A completely transparent display is framed by a rounded metal rim, which is supported by two swivel legs. On the right side are slots designed to accept "transparent disks" that display their data once inserted. The keyboard is supposedly made of "deformable" metal, with the keys eventually leveling out when not in use.

Looks like real-life engineering needs to play catch-up to make Zafiro a reality. The lack of a power cord aside, just how do you fit all the necessary hardware into the thin frame?

Next up is the Looking Glass, a dedicated augmented-reality-driven handheld with online connectivity. Over the past two years, Funamizu has since turned the Looking Glass into a concept platform, constantly dreaming up new applications to complement what's basically an interactive transparent tablet.

Many popular smartphones like the Nexus One already feature augmented reality. In the case of Google's attempt to dominate the mobile market, it's possible use A-GPS to view landmark overlays through the phone's camera. Move the Nexus One around, and these pegs adjust accordingly. Funamizu's vision is now a real-world application, albeit in an indirect and lower-scale manner.

Got a transparent gadget—concept or otherwise—you'd like us to feature? Feel free to hit the comments with suggestions below.