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- Much like Y2K fashion, transparent tech trends, reminiscent of the iconic iMac G3 from more than two decades ago, are making a strong comeback.
- In the 1990s and 2000s, affordable and durable polycarbonate plastics sparked the popularity of transparent tech gadgets, offering interesting design possibilities.
- Notable examples include Apple's iMac G3, Nintendo's Game Boy Color, and transparent staplers.
- For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.
It's been more than two decades since the launch of one of the world’s most popular transparent tech gadgets, the iMac G3 computer, and much like Y2K fashion, the trend of transparent technology is making a serious comeback.
The trend gained significant popularity in the 1990s and 2000s when affordable and durable polycarbonate plastics entered the market.
This material allowed the design of tech gadgets to be more interesting, as it could be tinted or made cloudy.
Notable transparent tech gadgets from that era include Apple's iMac G3 with translucent, candy-coloured cases, Nintendo's Game Boy Color, transparent staplers, telephones, calculators, and more.
Recently, LG stunned with what they deem the world's first transparent OLED TV that will soon be available for purchase.
Here's what it features and what other transparent tech gadgets are gaining momentum currently.
READ | Y2K fashion is back, thanks to Gen Zers – Here are some fashion trends we can't get over
LG Transparent OLED TV
The LG Signature OLED TV, as it's called, features a transparent flat-screen TV with a wireless appearance, LED lights for room ambience, and an almost invisible appearance when turned off. Although the release date is not yet clear, the 77-inch device can be displayed without needing to be mounted on the wall.
LG transparent Jukebox
LG has also introduced the transparent Jukebox, a tech marvel with vacuum tubes and a transparent OLED display. This Jukebox, part of LG's experimental LG Labs division, was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show 2024 (CES 24), the world's largest tech exhibition, in Las Vegas, offering freely adjustable transparency.
Samsung Micro LED TV
Samsung showcased its Micro LED display at CES 24, but it’s still just a prototype. It marked the first time the public had the opportunity to see the innovative technology.
Analogue Pocket
The Analogue Pocket handheld gaming console, launched earlier this month, features a transparent appearance that comes in different colours. These include clear, smoke, red, blue, orange, green, and purple.
According to Analogue, the transparent gadget will be available in limited quantities, much like the glow-in-the-dark handheld called Pocket.
See-through virtual reality headsets
PlayStation has also revealed its transparent virtual reality headset, the PSVR2. However, it is still a prototype that allows the internal structure of the device to be visible from the outside.
