Hasta La Gadget!

A Japanese man posted a YouTube video showing a real hologram created using a prism crystal, bits of cardboard, and his iPhone. The video shows a holographic Siri dancing around inside the prism, which can be viewed from different perspectives as the camera moves around the prism. The best part? The setup is so simple, you can make one yourself using your own smartphone.

According to the YouTube video description, the setup involves a -3.75 index prism crystal, which is placed on a flat surface with small cardboard stands around it. The phone – an iPhone 4s, to be precise – is placed on the cardboard stands so that screen hovers directly above the point of the prism. When the phone is turned on, the image is displayed within the prism as a three-dimensional hologram. You can watch it in action via the video below.

A quick search on YouTube for “iPhone hologram” reveals a variety of videos, most of which are actually wall projections or concept videos. In this case, however, the hologram is real, and is made the same way the giant holographic display was at CES 2011. In case you’re feeling inspired, you can get your own prism crystal online and from some science shops.

Holograms are a novelty now, but are moving into the mainstream, particularly after the Tupac hologram that grabbed nationwide attention. The Tupac hologram was created using projection technology from AV Concepts, while the hologram model was created by Digital Domain. As holograms become more popular, and with the utter simplicity of the model created above, it wouldn’t be surprising if one day in the near future you’ll able to buy a pre-made little hologram cube for your own smartphone.

[via 3d Geeks]

iPhone holographic display created with prism crystal is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Business cards are boring, even if you slot NFC inside them, but the swish business fellow around town could change all that with a home-made hologram card. Pioneer Corporation‘s idea of what construes a “compact” hologram printer might not exactly tally with ours – it’s roughly the size of a large briefcase – but considering you’re getting the ability to make your own full-color holograms we could probably forgive the discrepancy.

Although the size is the headline feature, in fact it’s the ease of use that makes the hologram printer particularly special. It produces Lippman holograms, which traditionally would require a darkened room, real models be photographed, and vibration dampers fitted to keep things sufficiently stable.

Pioneer’s system, however, can run from a 3D CAD file, and demands no technical knowledge beyond hitting print. The resultant holograms can measure up to 75.6 x 50.4 mm, not only big enough for a business card but greetings cards, photographs, and more.

Exactly how much the printer will cost – as well as the print media itself – has not been revealed, though we don’t imagine it will come cheap. Still, who among us wouldn’t pay handsomely for the ability to create tiny hologram cards of ourselves recreating the “You’re my only hope!” Princess Leia pose.

Pioneer reveals compact 3D color hologram printer is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.