The Essessoni Computer: Appearance

One of the items that Rei brought along with him in Rome's Revolution was his data tablet, aka computer. We saw one up close in Rome's Evolution when Rei and Rome entered Darwin Base. Rome used it to try and find a current manifest of the Ark's passengers.

Here is a picture of the Essessoni computer which resembles a slightly larger version of the iPad with several significant differences:



First, the central screen is completely transparent rather than being reflective. This allows you to view the world but adds a real-time virtual element so that the computer can superimpose images, markings, lines, drawings; whatever you need to enhance what you are looking at. It can also be used to magnify your view.

James Cameron used a similar device when he filmed movies such as Avatar. The hi-tech device allowed him to superimpose his CGI graphics against the live actors so he could get them to move around properly.


The Essessoni computer can also set the background to opaque which lets it display full color images and icons and then it looks even more like an iPad. And like the iPad it is a fully functional touchscreen. However, there are times you need a keyboard. Unlike the iPad, it comes with a built-in projected keyboard which are produced by the two red dots in the upper corners. More on that tomorrow.