IO2 Technology intros floating M3 Heliodisplay screen

We've seen some pretty far-out display creations, and while some are admittedly more useful than others, having our own Star Wars-esque floating display has been a dream for quite some time. Thankfully a company is bringing the idea to life and to more markets than ever before, as IO2 Technology has unveiled a new 3D Heliodisplay worldwide. While the mid-air projector, as it's so aptly dubbed, had been seen a time or two before, the new M3 / M3i boasts "an improved tri-flow system for increased image stability and uniformity," enhanced brightness and clarity, a 1,024 x 768 resolution, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios, 2000:1 contrast ratio, VGA / S-Video / composite inputs, USB, NTSC / PAL compatibility, and "significantly quieter operation" to boot. Marketed to the uber-wealthy and board room runners who'd like to teleconference on a free-space device (and blow the minds of clients), the basic M3 is available for a stiff $18,400, while the M3i -- which also serves as a "computer input device for cursor control in a desktop environment" -- will set you back $19,400.

[Craig @ Feb 28th 2007 6:19PM]

Is that Carol Decker of T'Pau?

[snowglyder @ Feb 28th 2007 6:29PM]

Is this supposed to be 3D, or like a projector without a physical backdrop?

[StevO @ Feb 28th 2007 7:59PM]

I would say 2D only because the spec mentions a flat resolution instead of a 3D one and because the inputs will also be (usually) feeding it a 2D signal. However, the concept of a floating Al Gore head coming by 3000 seems very possible with this tech.

[Larry @ Feb 28th 2007 6:42PM]

Here's one about their M2
http://www.ministryoftech.com/2006/07/28/m2-heliodisplay-mid-air-multimedia-projector/

[jeff @ Feb 28th 2007 8:21PM]

anyone have $20,000 thst i csn have?

[ExcavatE @ Feb 28th 2007 10:03PM]

I bet Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have a few of these. C'mon guys bring this tech to us "common folk" and you"ll earn crazy product loyalty !

[John Doe @ Feb 28th 2007 11:37PM]

Make this 3D and I'll sell a kidney for one. What do kidney's go for now a days?

[Dustin @ Mar 1st 2007 12:55AM]

video link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw4V_uBQjdQ

[AdvidG @ Mar 1st 2007 8:08AM]

M3 Heliodisplay

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqYsUYQrZkI

Not bad...my por...I mean 'work documents' would look
great on one of those.

[Joe Strout @ Mar 1st 2007 10:23AM]

How the heck does this work? I've gone to IO2's web site (http://www.io2technology.com/) but can't find any clues as to the actual technology. Anyone have any info about it?

[jharr @ Mar 1st 2007 2:41PM]

Joe

"The Heliodisplay is a free-space display developed by IO2 technologies. A projector is focused onto a layer of mist in mid-air, resulting in a two-dimensional display that appears to float."

from this article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliodisplay

[colin @ Mar 3rd 2007 2:40PM]

It may not be completely 3D but it's an amazing step forward. Now where's my flying car?