Dell unveils secret screen application

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 24 Sep 2008 at 12:14

Dell has released a software update that can stop snoopers seeing your screen by reducing the viewing angle of a notebook's TFT panel.

The feature has been called One-Touch Privacy, and is an entirely software-based solution which protects a user's privacy by minimising the viewing angle of the screen.

Someone sitting next to the user would see only a series of black and white bars instead of the actual content of the screen, claims Dell, while the user would notice only a slight reduction in screen brightness.

Previously users could only buy add-on devices from third parties to achieve such security, which usually consisted of a plastic film which was attached to the TFT panel.

Dell's new system has the advantage of being electronic, and can therefore can be disabled when needed to give a wider viewing angle, such as watching films. Dell was unable to provide precise details of how the technology works at the time of publication.

The upgrade is currently available on only one model, the Latitude E6400, at a cost of £88.