SONTE Film Lets You Frost Your Windows on Demand

If you’re looking for a way to create a sense of privacy in your house – but don’t like the look of traditional window shades – there’s a new technology on the scene which creates instant privacy while still letting light in your windows.

sonte film

SONTE is a special UV protective film you can apply to your windows that provides complete privacy. What’s really nifty about SONTE film is that it can be turned from semi-opaque to transparent with the push of a button – or using an app on your mobile device.

When electrical current is applied to the film, its transparency changes. When switched off (semi-opaque), only 5% of light is transmitted, and when on, it allows 70% of light through. When in its semi-opaque state, the film can even be used as a projection screen. Neat.

sonte film dr

To install the film, simply cut it to fit your window, peel off the electrostatic cling adhesive backing, and position it on your window. A tiny conducting clip is attached to each sheet of film, and then connects to either a Wi-Fi transceiver or a direct switch.

SONTE is currently seeking to raise $200,000 over on Kickstarter to fund production of its film. You can get a 1-meter square piece of the film, including a non Wi-Fi switch for as little as $184 (USD). Prices start at $219 for the Wi-Fi version and go up from there, depending on the amount of film you want. The largest kit being offered is an 8-square-meter “daisy chain” kit, which lets you wire together multiple windows, and is going for just under $1500. If you just want to play with the tech before investing heavily, there’s also a Kickstarter exclusive sample sheet (non Wi-Fi) for just $65.

Shades Put Spaceships on Your Windows, Keep Your Nerd World Private

Check out these awesome window shades that put spaceships on your window and at the same time help isolate you from sunlight, with only your action figures and DVD collections to keep you company. I kid. I would love to have these on my window too, since I’m a huge science fiction nerd too.

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You can choose from a variety of blinds that feature wireframe images of some of the most famous ships in sci-fi.

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There is a TARDIS, the Millennium Falcon, the USS Enterprise, a Klingon Bird of Prey, a BSG inspired Viper and Boba Fett’s Slave I ship. But which do you choose? They are all amazing. Maybe if you have enough windows, you can have them all.

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They cost £99 (~$152 USD) and up over at DirectBlinds, depending on the size of your windows, and any options you add.

viper windowshade

Now that you’ve seen these, you’ll want to redecorate and try to convince your wife that spaceships will look good in your windows.

boba fett slave windowshade

Floppy Disk Lampshade: What Drunk Geeks Wear on Their Heads

Have a bunch of old 3.5″ floppy disks lying around? If you still have some left over after converting them into paintings or handbags, you might want to redecorate your room with a floppy disk lampshade.

floppy disk lampshade 2

That’s exactly what Instructables contributor Technohippy did with his spare floppies. All it took to make this floppy disk lampshade was 17 floppy disks, 44 cable ties, and some basic hand tools. While this particular design was for a ceiling fixture, there’s no reason you couldn’t apply the same concept to a table or floor lamp too. Keep in mind that you’ll want to go with a fluorescent or LED lamp inside the fixture so as not to melt your floppies, and fill your home with the noxious fumes of burning plastic.

Pop on over to Instructables for the full build instructions. I wonder what we’ll make out of USB flash drives when they’re eventually obsolete and replaced with holographic memory or something altogether different.