This in from Gadget Lab:

LG Sunlight-Powered LCDs Bring Sunshine To Notebook Users

from Gadget Lab by Priya Ganapati

LG's latest green displays could offer consumers the two things they want out of their notebooks--lower power consumption and higher battery life--while working outdoors.

The company announced a 14.1-inch LCD panel that can switch to being illuminated by sunlight instead of the backlight unit when used outdoors.

The switching allows the display’s outdoor energy consumption to fall to one fourth the level of indoors consumption boosting battery life. Backlight units in conventional notebooks can account for about 75 percent of the total energy consumption used in LCD panels, says the company.

The new displays will solve the problem that most users face around visibility and clarity of their notebook screen in bright sunlight. LG says its offers contrast ratio of at least 9:1 when used outdoors, compared to 2:1 or 3:1 for most displays used currently in notebook PCs.

The LCD panels will debut at the Consumer Electronics Show next month where LG is likely offer more details on price and availability.

Does this mean AAC devices that can be seen outdoors might FINALLY be on the horizon?

AAC Demands

There are now 2, count 'em two, computers on the market which have screens that can be viewed in bright sunlight. The OLPC and the Flybook. (I get this information from Gadget Lab.)

So, AAC manufacturers, when, precisely, can we expect the Dynavox Series Six Degrees, the PRC EGO, The ATI/TOBII Venus or the Great Talking Box e-It Works In The Sun?

(Obviously I have taken a little liberty with the device names here, but dontcha think they are some great device names?)

Along with those demands how about these ideas:

• instant daily/weekly/monthly backup via wifi to an online storage site (for free) or to an external hard drive
• page sharing online (for free)
  
• integrated eyegaze control (this one is in the works from Dynavox and ATI/TOBII from what I understand)
• awesome kid and teen voices, I want to hear those teen boy voices crack
• integrated web cams for video and still
  
• integrated MP3 player with controls through the buttons on communication pages to do all features (play, pause, forward, back)
• multi-touch screen option
• the same "turn-the-device-and-the-image-on-the-screen-turns" feature as new phones (read the i-phone)
• drag and drop to install music, photos and more, no packages, no complicated macros, no tech knowledge needed
• online knowledge bases/support that is up-to-date and easy to navigate and cross referenced to various generations of devices
  
• more colors of devices, more external customizing of devices, and colored cases too!
• ability to store and play movies (that means lots and lots of memory)
• solid state drive option for those who don't need tons of memory but are hard on devices
  
• auto updates to software via wifi and none of this you can only download the update once business, what if the device crashes?
• integrated hardware to operate a computer (not additional hardware)
• option for 100% integrated mobile phone, or txt only, or 911 (or other emergency number only)
• a code given to a customer at the same time a return authorization code is given that makes computer editing software into communication software for a limited time while the AAC device is being repaired (back up communication is always nice)
• EXTERNAL volume controls - the only thing I LIKE about the ZYGO Optimist. That and hot swap batteries.
  
• Hot swap batteries
• Every device comes with two AC chargers, one for home and one for work/school/day program
  
• Print the directions for power on/off and reset clearly and in a decent size on the device
  
• Print the directions to work the case on the case (especially if the case is crazy complicated)
  
• ONLINE AAC software editing and backup - access your communication software from any internet connected computers, SLPs and teachers no longer have to take devices away to program them after school, mom and dad can program while the child uses the device to say what he or she wants on the device
  

What else folks? Comment!

Press Release from TObii and Assitive Technology, Inc. - About Their Merger

The following is the full text of
the Tobii and Assistive Technology, Inc (makers of the Mercury and Mini-Merc AAC Devices) press release:

Stockholm, Sweden, and Boston,

MA, USA

January 8, 2008

Eye tracking world leader Tobii Technology and Assistive Technology Inc. (ATI) are today announcing that they are joining forces to become a leading vendor of high-tech communication solutions for the disability market, so called augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions.

Tobii and ATI have agreed on joining forces to strengthen their position in the American market. The name of the new company is Tobii Assistive Technology, Inc. (Tobii ATI) and it is a US based, fully owned subsidiary of Tobii Technology AB, with its corporate office in Boston, MA.

Tobii ATI will offer a complete range of AAC devices and communication solutions for users with disabilities, including MyTobii - the market leading eye controlled device from Tobii, Mercury, MiniMerc, L*E*O, LinkCLASSIC and LinkPLUS from ATI and the communication software VS Communicator from Viking Software. Tobii ATI will offer customer service and support on the entire product range.

"ATI has an unparalleled experience in the US assistive technology market, a highly experienced sales staff and the very best customer support organization. Combined with Tobii's strong R&D and innovative solutions we can continue to grow and to offer the best solutions to end users, therapists and care givers." says Henrik Eskilsson, CEO at Tobii Technology.

"Tobii offers the best in the class of R&D with the financial resources to reach the top. This, combined with their commitment to increase the benefit of the user will solidify an exceptional product offering in the future." says Tara Rudnicki, ATI's President and COO.

The market for communication solutions for people with disabilities is growing rapidly. Computerized communicating devices allow people with limited communication abilities to talk, chat, browse the Internet, and much more.

FRS Flex-Vu

Recently on one of the assistive technology list serves (QIAT to be specific) there was a series of messages about sun washout on AAC device screens. The determination of the contributers seemed to be that though current devices are better at preventing glare/sun washout no device is actually "good" at preventing it. In that end FRS offers a screen that attached to devices to stop the glare and improve communication outdoors. Seems to me it might work well if you carry the device, but it might seem like communicating in a tent for wheelchair users with the device on a mount, still for those AAC users with an active outdoor life it is a great solution.