Apart from glasses-free viewing, wider portability and shrinking prices, the biggest trend in 3D right now is growing ubiquity. No longer confined to TVs alone, here are three ways you’ll soon be enjoying a new perspective on the technology.
Digital and Video Cameras – The embarrassment suffered by newscasters and porn stars by HD broadcasts pales before the shame your photo subjects will shortly feel watching every pimple literally pop from the screen. Credit new 3D digital cameras such as Olympus’ SP-610UZ and Sony’s Cyber-shot WX9, capable of capturing three-dimensional stills, or camcorders including the Bloggie 3D and Panasonic HDC-HS900, which let you capture futuristic home movies. Before long, thanks to a growing range of affordable, consumer-friendly units, James Cameron won’t be the only one with a lock on blockbuster next-gen cinematography.
Computers, Smartphones and Mobile Entertainment Devices – Laptops capable of offering a new perspective on multimedia like the Dell XPS 17 and Vaio F Series will soon make 3D movies and gaming accessible, even at 30,000 feet. Glasses-free notebook PC solutions, Blu-ray players and even head-mounted video displays are also coming soon to go with your new, no-goggles-required Toshiba 3D TV, ViewSonic photo frame or Nintendo 3DS handheld video game system. Travelers can’t escape the onslaught either, with LG already demonstrating prototype glasses-free 3D mobile TVs and smartphone screens, with HTC reported to have a 3D Android cell phones in the works for 2011 already.
Online Communications – Beaming holographic facsimiles of yourself over the Internet is suddenly an option with Lenovo’s L2363d monitor, which includes a 3D webcam. Panasonic also aims to make 3D videoconferencing real through its KX-VC500 HD Visual Communications System, which packages a 50-inch plasma TV, two camcorders, a router, microphone and video controller together to make virtual visitations simpler. Sadly, there’s no fighting process, as going forward, even those who can’t afford to fly home for family reunions or bar mitzvahs will still have to dress for the occasion.
