Just because you haven't been remotely interested in seen a mirror TV in, oh, years, doesn't mean that companies aren't still interested in exploiting the niche. Take Pantel, for instance, who is totally stoked about debuting a trio of 'em at CEDIA 2008. Set to launch in 20-, 32- and 42-inch flavors, the Mirror TV line is aimed at folks looking to add a multipurpose display in their bathroom, shower or sauna. The 20- and 32-inch editions arrive with a 720p panel, while the 42-incher checks in with a full 1080p resolution. Price wise, you're looking at $1,200 for the little guy, $2,755 for the 32-inch sibling and $5,800 for the mack daddy.

A report into the feasibility of space-based power rigs that would beam solar power down to earth in the form of microwaves has been published, with its findings being along the lines of "yes, it'll happen, but only when the money's there." The Pentagon is itching to get its hands on the technology, which would include mirrors several miles wide focusing sunlight onto solar cells, highlighting the potential for beaming energy to remote regions of the world (read: wherever they're fighting.) The problem is more of an economic one, with the technology behind the project apparently being feasible since the 70s: only now that oil prices have tripled, and the technology has become greatly more efficient, is an actual space installation seeming realistic. In fact, we could see early efforts for the giant mirrors as soon as 2012: any bets that they'll double as death rays?

Rest assured, we've seen some pretty fancy mirrors in our day, but Daniel Rozin's Weave Mirror ranks pretty high up there. This zany installation relies on "768 motorized and laminated C-shaped prints along the surface of a picture plane that texturally mimics a homespun basket," and as curious mortals approach it, it "paints a picture of them using a gradual rotation in greyscale value on each C-ring." We know, you're probably still confounded at how this thing actually wows anyone, but give the video (posted after the jump) a peek and clarity will be yours.

[Via WeMakeMoneyNotArt]

Mirrors that double as surveillance displays or hallway televisions have been common for quite some time, and while Mirror Media's PC-stuffed iteration certainly won't be the first of its breed, it joins a rare bunch nonetheless. The MirrorTV + media PC combination unit comes in 20-, 26-, 30-, and 32-inch flavors and features an Intel processor, up to 512MB of SDRAM, up to 60GB of hard drive space, optional WiFi, and a smorgasbord of ports including USB 2.0, RS-232, FireWire, DVI / VGA, and component / S-Video / composite to boot. Pricing details don't look to be readily available, but if you've got the coin, we're sure these guys and gals can whip up the multifarious mirror of your dreams.

[Via ChipChick]

For those of you who regularly get lost in the infinite beauty of your own reflection, you can now enjoy the totally self-indulgent experience while "communicating" with your "friends", thanks to the Mirror Webcam. There isn't much tech to divulge here -- it's a USB webcam embedded in a mirror, with a ring of LED lights surrounding it which, depending on your face, will make you look much better or much worse. You can use the device as a regular mirror or as a digital mirror, but either way you're still staring at your own face like a self-involved jerk. Available now for around $49.

[Via Akihabara News]

Roger Angel's idea to launch a 100-meter liquid mirror telescope on the moon is far from the only mammoth-sized dream that could be headed into space, and if the feasibility study shows enough promise, it just might happen. The University of Arizona astronomer mentioned that the idea of putting an "enormous liquid-mirror telescope on the moon that could be hundreds of times more sensitive than the Hubble Space Telescope" had been around awhile, but apparently it's finally getting the attention it deserves. If constructed, it would easily be the largest ever built, and would reportedly allow scientists to "study the oldest and most distant objects in the universe, including the very first stars." The project is being investigated on behalf of NASA's Institute for Advanced Concepts, and while these type devices are "relatively cheap" to build, it should be noted that it's being compared (at least financially) to the $4.5 billion James Webb Space Telescope. Now, where's the signup sheet for freelance contractors to get in on the moon-based build process?

[Via Wired]

Giving you yet another venue to throw down your hard-earned dollars instead of just taking it easy and obeying traffic laws while motoring, Cheetah has introduced a GPSMirror that can detect just about anything you'd need to know about whilst cruising down the highway. Sporting a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, anti-glare coating, and the ability to divulge alerts via voice, visuals, or frighteningly loud sounds, this rear view mirror replacement purportedly keeps you informed of upcoming speed cameras of all varieties, radar / laser detectors, and accident zones. Additionally, the device can even display your speed from behind the mirrored glass in case the speedometer in your '72 Beetle has been pleasantly perched on zero for the past decade. The unit supposedly plays nice with your current radar / laser detector, and can relay data via its aural abilities to slow you down. Speedsters can pick up the GPSMirror now for £199.99 ($395), and thanks to the PC-based interface and internet database downloads, there are no monthly fees for its handy services.

[Via NaviGadget]

While we've certainly seen our fair share of LCD TV-equipped mirrors before, DND Casa is apparently aiming to raise the bar once more by stuffing a full-fledged PC into the mix. Reportedly, the firm is marketing its new ARCO mirror to high-end households in Korea, and while details regarding the specs and technology behind the glass are scarce, we do know that the "Mirror Image" magic from Ad-Notam is incorporated. Of course, we fully expect the videophiles in the crowd to scoff mightily at such a bizarre attempt at consolidation, but for those interested in a few more snapshots, feel free to click on through and take a peek.

[Via AVing]

True clock aficionados fully understand that their timepieces do more than tell them just how many grueling hours are left in the work day, and YUnoBI's Dancing On The Water design invites time tellers to gaze at its mirror-image rather than just glancing and looking away. The lacquered enclosure comes in black, red, and gray finishes, and shoots the current time up against a reflective back that purportedly gives off a "floating illusion." Furthermore, the red digits are displayed care of built-in LEDs, and while you may be eager to snap this presumed dust-magnet up as a crafty conversation piece, the ¥68,250 ($573) asking price just might stop you in your tracks.

[Via TechDigest]

We've seen two-way displays and undercover mirrors before, but the latest two-faced invention to come from the depths of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) can pull double duty in regard to purpose and save a little energy in the process. The "switchable glass" has certain reflexive properties created by the twin coatings of "40-nanometer-thick magnesium-titanium alloy, plus a 4-nanometer-thick layer of palladium," which allows for the mirror to become transparent when a small amount of hydrogen is introduced between the two panes. Alternatively, tossing in a bit of oxygen forms a reflecting mirror, allowing users to "switch" the glass by injecting gases. Contrary to other commercialized approaches, this rendition can purportedly result in up to a "30-percent savings in energy costs" by having to run your air conditioner less, but there's still work to be done. Scientists at the AIST are still toiling away as they try to fight the relatively rapid deterioration that occurs from "frequent switching," but if they can add a dash of durability and get the price down to a respectable level, we could all be living in a house of mirrors before too long.

[Via PlasticBamboo]

We try to keep it on the low, but when it comes to clothes shopping, the Engadget crew is like a gaggle of school girls -- running up and down the aisles comparing outfits and finding the latest accessories to go with our gear. Well the malls might be a bit quieter now, thanks to IconNicholson's Magic Mirror which, not unlike it's Snow White namesake, lets you get the opinion of others before making a decision. What it does is let you try on virtual outfits and share with friends, allowing them to then text you back with a yay or nay. Besides the main panel where you can see your proposed new look, there are two other panels: the left showing you available pieces from the store, while the right offers up info on accessories that you might like. IconNicholson is scarce on the details of how it is exactly your friends are getting this feed from the dressing room, but it best be most secure, because we know all too well how miscreants like to take advantage of technology.

While we've seen a variety of magic mirrors in our day, we've yet to come across one with such a nifty premise, only to be completely and utterly ruined by a leopard print motif. Sure, the off-kilter design scheme might attract a few people still stuck in, well, whatever era leopard print was marginally acceptable in, but generally speaking, we're guessing most folks won't give it a second glance. Konka's Magic Mirror isn't a mirror by trade, but its vertically-mounted 42-inch LCD TV is directly wired to a webcam in the bezel, which can display whatever stands in front of it, theoretically accomplishing the same task as a tried and true mirror. Additionally, it can be used as a normal TV for viewing television, movies, etc., but considering its upright alignment, it's probably best reserved for digiframe duty. For the folks (read: one or two) out there wondering about the price, unfortunately we're not sure, but we'd suspect that you could darn near steal these things from Konka if you just let its stockpile collect a little dust for a few months first.

[Via Uber-Review]

Considering nobody (well, mostly) likes to be alone in the dark for months on end, a group of Italians have devised a method to brighten everyone's day. Due to their position around numerous mountaintops that cut off direct sunlight and warmth during the winter months, the villagers were previously left to fend off darkness and cold without any external assistance, but thanks to a ridiculously large mirror (and some clever engineering), all that's changed. The sun-challenged hamlet nestled in the Ossola Valley now has a "towering 26- by 16-foot mirror installed on the flank of one bluff," and it utilizes a "computer to follow the sun's path and cast its rays back on Viganella." The project, seven years in the making, was reportedly difficult to construct and fund, but now that they've forked out the €100,000 ($131,260) and rediscovered the sun, we imagine the current population of 185 will likely be on the rise when envious folks from neighboring towns start to move in.

If you're looking to snag one of those externally bootable eSATA drives, but don't want to sacrifice that increasingly necessary USB 2.0 connectivity, Logitec has five new drives to fit the bill, regardless of storage space needed. Boasting a sleek, silver / black enclosure and a "silent" (read: fanless) design, this dual-port drive comes in 250GB, 320GB, 400GB, 500GB, and 750GB flavors. While an eSATA PCI card isn't bundled in, it's an optional accessory if your PC isn't already prepared for it, and the device also features a file mirroring tool to easily clone your boot drive and a "write protection button" to prevent data entry -- you know, in case you're faced with any Jack Bauer-like situations. Anyways, the LHD-EDSAU2 series can be snapped up in Japan next month for ¥17,800 ($152), ¥22,100 ($188), ¥28,500 ($243), ¥31,700 ($270), and ¥72,200 ($614), running from smallest to most capacious.

[Via Akihabara News]

Pretty soon our homes will not only be staffed entirely by robots of all varieties catering to our every need, but we'll have mirrors that pull triple duty as surveillance cameras and best friends. Accenture Technology, the folks behind the elusive "persuasive mirror," is edging closer to a finalized product that can survey your facial features, love handles, and overall girth in order to communicate the honest truth about what you should (or could) do to improve your deteriorating image. The mirror operates by inspecting your body via cameras on each side of the panel, and displays "after" portraits on a monitor to give you a futuristic glimpse of what you'd look like should you shave, trim your bangs, hit the weight room, or start a DDR exercise routine. No longer will you have to doubt the integrity of your "close friends" when it comes to making personal hygiene decisions, as the persuasive mirror apparently feels that honesty is the best policy, even if it rattles your self-esteem. Moreover, the firm has crafted a prototype monitoring system that utilizes memory sensors to determine if subjects are deviating from "normal patterns of behavior." Current implementation ideas are to watch for meandering thieves in a parking lot, straying employees, and mischievous baggage handlers at airports. While the company is currently testing the technology out in France, you might want to think twice before venturing too far from the daily norm, although we aren't exact certain of the consequences should your lack of conformity set off any "abnormal" alerts.