Samsung Smart Window

Known specifications of the Samsung Smart Window:

1. 1,366 x 768 resolution

2. 72-percent color reproduction

3. 9mm side thickness; 2mm active screen thickness

4. 4.5kg

5. HDMI and USB interface

(from http://ourwikiworld.blogspot.com/2012/01/incredible-virtual-smart-window-by.html)

Some known features:

- Play music/videos

- Watch TV

- Twitter

- Office
- Check flight information

- And various other applications like a computer

- Blinds feature to dim/block sunlight coming in

- Illumination during night time

- Eco-friendly - solar powered

When I saw this video, I was really amazed by this product. Once again Samsung has taken us a step further in touch screen technology and improved user experience.

From a HCI perspective, Samsung has brought user experience to a whole new level, improving the capabilities of the touch screen, integrating it with a window. Applying the ten golden rules of interface design from the lecture on the currently known features of the product, it has visibility (screen is large and easy to see), consistency (interface and buttons are consistent and easy to operate), familiarity (it is used like a touch screen device such as iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab), affordance (having buttons with clear labels and designs that let the user know how to use it), contraints (there is a proper graphical interface that restricts the users to functions that the users want to do), navigation (easy access to relevant functions and good functional flow), feedback (rapid feedback with proper sound/visual indicators like a computer), flexibility (different applications accommodate users with different levels of experience and interest), aesthetically pleasing (self-explanatory). This already fulfills 9 out of the 10 golden rules in interface design.

Personally, I was particularly impressed by the transparency of the screen and the blinds feature of the Samsung Smart Window. This is the first product I have seen so far to be able to have such a feature that seems to be a technology only found in science fiction movies so far. Moreover, the touch screen interface makes it very intuitive and fun to use. Even though no first hand experience of the product, just by looking at the video I know I will definitely enjoy having such a product in my home.