Show HN: Make a programmable mirror • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#81

Post by toby » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:02 PM UTC

brunorsini wrote: post #42

Any suggestions for stores similar to Canal Plastic Center in San Francisco?

You could try TAP on South Van Ness, they have two-way acrylic mirrors on their website: http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plas...

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#82

Post by icebraining » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:07 PM UTC

sixothree wrote: post #76

joshgachnang wrote: post #5

I'm guessing this is based off [1] which uses a normal monitor and a Raspberry Pi. This one looks much quicker and simpler than [1], but what if you need to do anything to the tablet (updates, new app, etc)? Remove it and re-adhesive? Personally, I've been working on doing the same with an RPi and Hover so I can wave my hand in front of the mirror to swipe to new screens/info. [1] https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/mag…

> but what if you need to do anything to the tablet (updates, new app, etc)? Usb mouse and keyboard.

Or a Bluetooth mouse, they're dirt cheap on eBay.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#83

Post by jsingleton » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:07 PM UTC

pluma wrote: post #78

jsingleton wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe the term for things like this is an 'information radiator'. The benefit of ambient displays is they're always on so you don't need to seek any information out. It's just there. They're quite popular in the agile community. Digital signage and wallboards everywhere. The downside is you can become conditioned to them and not notice things over time. This is quite old but sums is up: https://www.atlassian.com/…

You mean like a wall clock?

Yes, but why just stop at one clock?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-MxGvtK2Bk

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#84

Post by icebraining » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:09 PM UTC

robertfw wrote: post #68

Amorymeltzer wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thirded. As someone said elsewhere, this is one of those "okay wow the future is here" things. This, more than a hover car, would do the trick. Major quality of life improvement.

I think if this is considered a major quality of life improvement, you might be measuring the wrong metrics

Or maybe they already have the important stuff covered?

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#85

Post by icebraining » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:13 PM UTC

pavel_lishin wrote: post #4

I wonder if humidity and steam would be a problem if this was done in a bathroom.

My Nexus 7 was completely submerged in running water, and only had a couple of drops inside the case - it didn't even shut off.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#86

Post by icebraining » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:15 PM UTC

Jtsummers wrote: post #50

suyash wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Answering my own question, secret is in the two way mirror, so no touch and no camera as the other side would reflect back.

You can update it by remoting into the phone or having it pull down configuration changes from a server periodically.

Or using a USB or Bluetooth mouse - Android supports them out-of-the-box.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#87

Post by MrZongle2 » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:28 PM UTC

_xzxj wrote: post #49

On first glance I thought the mirror said "Wear pants today" as if the mirror should know whether or not my legs will get cold...

On first glance I thought the mirror said "Wear pants today"..

Good advice on any day, I think.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#88

Post by jscheel » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:28 PM UTC

TsiCClawOfLight wrote: post #80

jscheel wrote: post #63

I've been working on a voice-controlled one of these. I just got my Raspberry Pi, but am still working on the software side quite a bit. I'm not really having great success with CMU Sphinx's hotword detection.

You could try blather. It's by Jezra Lickter.

Interesting, I'll take a look. Thanks!

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#89

Post by andrepd » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:31 PM UTC

Great idea! It's stunning how this sort of futuristic seeming technology is actually possible using $50 in consumer electronics!

But passive display of information is only part of the story. You have the hardware: a microphone and a speech recognition API. Build voice interaction with this. Even simple commands like "Show me the weather tomorrow", or "Show me my calendar" add an amazing new depth to it. I can imagine myself, shaving and idly telling my mirror to show me my appointments today. :)

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#90

Post by Animats » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:37 PM UTC

Decades ago I saw this done for auto rear-view mirrors, at Ford's research lab in Dearborn. Way ahead of its time.

If you have to operate electronics in a damp environment, use "Fine-L-Kote" conformal coating on the electronics. Mask all connectors, switches, and the screen face itself, then spray. Inspect with a UV light to see if you missed anything. Most automotive electronics gets a conformal coat, but, annoyingly, most handheld devices do not.