Laptop users know the discomfort when someone tries to peep over their shoulder and see what they are looking.
Along this line, computer maker HP decided to tackle the problem by manufacturing a new range of laptops that would make it very difficult for peeping eyes to see the screen.
A report from The Verv revealed that HP developed a new screen that can cut off viewing angles at the press of a button, making it much harder for anyone on either side of a laptop to see the display screen.
The feature works by preventing light from shooting off to the side.
When it's active, one can only see the laptop if he is facing more-or-less straight on, within the 70-degree arc right in front of it.
Ninety percent of light directed to either side is supposed to be cut off.
The feature works like "privacy filters" where you stick them onto the laptop screens to achieve this same effect. But the downside is it's mostly permanent, you're stuck to a darker, hard-to-view laptop screen even when you're in private.
The feature is called Sure View and was developed in partnership with 3M, which actually sells some of those stick-on filters, according to the report.
Starting in September, the Sure View screen will be available on two HP laptops: the EliteBook 1040 and EliteBook 840. Both have 1080p resolution and can support touch.
In a dimly lit room, the tech appeared to work relatively well. When it was off, the laptop screen was bright and clear, without any hint of a filter inside it. When turned on, the screen became very hard, though not altogether impossible, to view from either side.
It was clear enough straight on; however, to get the full effect, HP automatically dims the laptop's screen to a fairly dark level. That can make the screen harder to read even if you're sitting right in front of the laptop."
