New Display Tech Boosts Privacy

Web surfers are getting more ways to maintain privacy (without having to squint at tiny text) thanks to new technologies displayed this week at the Society of Information Display Conference.

Microvision joined other companies showing off private displays at the gathering in San Francisco this week. It showed off its new mini projection display called PicoP.

"Unlike most matrix-display technologies, such as an LCD or DLP, we modulate laser light temporally and spatially using a single tiny vibrating silicon mirror to produce an image," Microvision CEO Alexander Tokman, said in a prepared statement. "The inherent advantages of this display platform include spectacular image quality, small form factor and low power."

Tokman said that since PicoP uses a collimated beam of laser light to produce a full-color, high resolution and contrast image it provides great depth without requiring a projection lens.

Incuiti showed off DV920 video eyewear, available for video iPods through Sharper Image. The battery-operated, space-aged looking eyeglasses sell for about $550. Packages include iPod cable and carrying cases.

Lumus also has two new personal microdisplays, using ultra-thin optics with enhanced light-guide optical element technology and thin lenses that collect light from a projector. It produces 320x240 pixel images and can be mounted on standard eyewear.