Makes the screen 'disappear' convincingly

Levity Novelty have debuted an iPad app for the iPad 2 simply called Invisibility that simulates invisibility of the iPad screen on a table or other environment even as the device is in motion, using a combination of the iPad 2's abilities in concert in a clever new way. By combining a previously-taken picture of the table with the iPad 2's 3D gyroscope, high-res photography and accelerometers, the iPad's screen will seem to disappear.

The user takes a photo of the table, then lays the iPad flat on it or lifts a corner. As the user rotates the iPad around the center or a corner, the table appears to be "seen" directly through the iPad. The app draws over 100 stationary "frames" per second as the iPad moves ensuring that the "table" below remains stationary. The trick works with other surfaces and environments as well.

The technology that marries the various parts of the iPad 2 together to create the illusion -- which the developers call Pantomime -- combines real-time 3D motion sensing with software models of the iPad's shape and other dimensions. The software also lets users "rub away" the existing desktop to "show" the table or surface beneath.

Invisibility sells for $1 and requires iOS 4.3 or higher (current version recommended).

by MacNN Staff