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iPhone Mirror

D

dangleheart

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 29, 2007
286
0
We have seen apps that turn the iPhone to a flash light. Is there something one can do to the screen so that one can see their reflection on the screen ( like a mirror )? I had a need for this when someone pointed out that there is something below my eye and I did not have a mirror with me. I ended up taking a picture of myself to look at it but that was a bit unwieldly :) Had there been a front camera, that would have solved the issue. I think woman would love to turn the iPhone into such a mirror so they do not have to carry a mirror, don't you all think?
 
robbieduncan

robbieduncan

Moderator emeritus
Jul 24, 2002
25,611
893
Harrogate
You really haven't thought about this have you?

How would you turn the screen reflective? You can't. It's simply not possible.

The so called "mirror" apps for other phones work by running the front camera on video call capable 3G handsets in video mode and show the video on screen. The iPhone doesn't have front-camera so again not possible.
 
rKunda

rKunda

macrumors 68000
Jul 14, 2008
1,604
591
There is a screen protector that makes the screen, while off, reflective.

Talk about vain, though. :p
 
A

ajwchin

macrumors member
Sep 19, 2008
63
0
Raleigh
I have a screen protector like that. Works like a charm. I expected it to mute colors a bit, but it doesn't at all.
 
D

dranakin

macrumors 6502
Mar 6, 2005
457
55
robbieduncan said:
You really haven't thought about this have you?

How would you turn the screen reflective? You can't. It's simply not possible.

The so called "mirror" apps for other phones work by running the front camera on video call capable 3G handsets in video mode and show the video on screen. The iPhone doesn't have front-camera so again not possible.
Click to expand...

Mirror programs for Palm handhelds made the screen black/very dark, and combined with a reflective screen, had a mirroring effect.
 
D

dangleheart

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 29, 2007
286
0
robbieduncan said:
You really haven't thought about this have you?
Click to expand...

Don't slam me for asking a question, though offbeat. If I have thought through this fully and come to firm conclusion, I would not post this here, would I?

Other answers are interesting. I am curious to see the mirror effect on the Palm handhels that dranakin mentions.
 
TuffLuffJimmy

TuffLuffJimmy

macrumors G3
Apr 6, 2007
9,022
136
Portland, OR
robbieduncan said:
You really haven't thought about this have you?

How would you turn the screen reflective? You can't. It's simply not possible.

The so called "mirror" apps for other phones work by running the front camera on video call capable 3G handsets in video mode and show the video on screen. The iPhone doesn't have front-camera so again not possible.
Click to expand...

you've never touched a sidekick have you? If you press a certain combination of buttons it turns the screen dark and if you focus your eyes past it it looks like a mirror. It's very cool. You can turn your iPhone into a mirror already (and I use this) just put a black or very dark grey picture in your photo album (I use it as my background).
 
R

reliantj

macrumors 6502
Sep 8, 2008
283
0
this thread fails so much.

i'm only gonna say +1 for the mirror screen protectors.
those are as mirrory as it gets.
even though they do cut the visibility down, especially
in light. i've read other reviews and videos.
 
pooryou

pooryou

macrumors 65816
Sep 28, 2007
1,329
63
NorCal
1. Take a picture of your face and then turn the iPhone around and look at it.

2. Repeat as needed.

3. There's no Step 3!
 
mkrishnan

mkrishnan

Moderator emeritus
Jan 9, 2004
29,776
15
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
TuffLuffJimmy said:
you've never touched a sidekick have you? If you press a certain combination of buttons it turns the screen dark and if you focus your eyes past it it looks like a mirror. It's very cool. You can turn your iPhone into a mirror already (and I use this) just put a black or very dark grey picture in your photo album (I use it as my background).
Click to expand...

Do you really find a black picture to be a better mirror than just hitting the lock button and using the screen turned off (FWIW that's what I do)?

As for the Sidekick, I think that must be based on the physics of the LCD they use. I agree with Robbieduncan -- there's no way you can take an LCD that is not (very) reflective now and make it more reflective by manipulating the backlight or the liquid crystal layer.

The mirror screen covers are intriguing though.

And yes, sometimes I need to adjust my hair! :eek:
 
M

MegaMan1311

macrumors regular
Jun 30, 2007
216
0
USA
The free (or at one time free) app "Light" does this. Once you download it, go into iphone preferences and find light at the bottom of the list of preferences to change. Change its setting from white to black (mirror) and Viola!

I hope that helps.
 
iParis

iParis

macrumors 68040
Jul 29, 2008
3,671
31
New Mexico
I know where you're coming from.
I often find the need for a mirror but don't have one.
Usually I just turn my iPod around.
But it is starting to get a lot of scratches so a mirror app for the iPod touch and iPhone would be nice.
 
TuffLuffJimmy

TuffLuffJimmy

macrumors G3
Apr 6, 2007
9,022
136
Portland, OR
mkrishnan said:
Do you really find a black picture to be a better mirror than just hitting the lock button and using the screen turned off (FWIW that's what I do)?

As for the Sidekick, I think that must be based on the physics of the LCD they use. I agree with Robbieduncan -- there's no way you can take an LCD that is not (very) reflective now and make it more reflective by manipulating the backlight or the liquid crystal layer.

The mirror screen covers are intriguing though.

And yes, sometimes I need to adjust my hair! :eek:
Click to expand...

yes I do. I find it looks better with the backlight on.
 
W

WannaApple?

macrumors 6502a
Jun 9, 2008
629
70
I admit that I had thought about this myself before and would love to have the something like it, but just didnt think it was possible.

So, in addition to just using the black screen if I want to check something out, I also will use the silver Apple logo on the back for small areas. :)
 
R

reliantj

macrumors 6502
Sep 8, 2008
283
0
oh wow, this is still in discussion.
i'm so glad my bathroom mirrors don't have to havetheir
software discussed. a mirror is a mirror. a phone without
a mirror is a phone. now a reflection, it can do. but you
don't call water a mirror just because it can reflect images.
just say you need something that'll give you a reflection.

just get something like this.
20081219332316029.jpg
 
D

dangleheart

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 29, 2007
286
0
reliantj, you deserve that, for having made fun of the existence of this thread itself... j/k :)
 
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