New Gadget Could Put 3D Image of a Person in Your Palm

Researchers in Japan are developing a gadget that could enable people to hold a three-dimensional image of someone in the palm of their hand.
They hope the gCubik ,which is still at the prototype stage, will be developed to move in real time and appear to speak.

The gCubik's panels have tiny lenses on liquid crystal displays. Unlike conventional 3D displays, which are viewed only from the front,the device can be seen from three sides, giving different images from various angles.

Grandparents could use the device - which comes in a 10 centimeter cube - to see a 3D image of their grandchildren living far away, while business people could view a prototype product from afar and school teachers could use it in science classes, he said.At the moment the device has a still image but efforts are underway to make it move in real time.

The panels have many tiny lenses on liquid crystal displays. Unlike conventional 3D displays, which are viewed only from three sides, giving different images from various angles.And unlike conventional 3D users will not need glasses to see the benefit.

The experts hope to put the technology to practical use within about three years by improving picture quality, getting rid of cords now attached to the cube and allowing viewing from all sides of the box.