History Main / HolographicTerminal

[[caption-width-right:350:[-And when the power fails, [[AwesomeButImpractical the whole thing goes dark]].-] ]]

** A developer interview reveals that they've based all of this on the film Anime/FinalFantasyTheSpiritsWithin that they constantly look back at for reference.
** Pretty much the only computers ''without'' holographic interfaces are datapads, which actually have a physical keyboard.
*** Until the third game, when they don't!

* ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyDualDestinies'' has Athena's Widget, a necklace computer that projects a holographic terminal that the player will use in the ''Mood Matrix'' sections of the game.
** Similar to the Mass Effect example above, Athena wears a special glove that allows her to physically interact with the hologram.

* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekProdigy'' showcases something that fits the basic letter of this trope (keyboards and screens made of HardLight) while looking ''nothing'' like the usual floating screens -- the USS Protostar's bridge can have holoconsole layouts loaded, which overlays holographic recreations of whatever the layout is based on and can be set to have the inputs translated to the Protostar's helm. When this is shown of, the holoconsoles in question look, act and sound like the consoles of a mid-23rd century Constitution class starship (in other words, the Enterprise's ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' consoles).

It doesn't yet float, but the transparent screen part could be TruthInTelevision in the near future. See [[http://gizmodo.com/5465084/samsung-to-release-laptop-with-a-transparent-screen-within-12-months here]]. Also, Augmented Reality goggles like [[http://www.google.com/glass/start/ Google Glass]] appear to the user this way.

** The Arch used to adjust the holodeck in ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' (later series had them just removing a camouflaged panel and fiddling with the controls physically)(though the arch was just revealing the hidden area just inside the holodeck door).

* In ''Webcomic/TheKennyChronicles'' [[FunnyAnimal Tarneki]] teenagers wear collars with holographic displays (the adults tend to use older handheld computers). Their use of these instead of [[BrainComputerInterface neural links]] is one reason why [[http://www.kennychronicles.com/2009/04/23/their-collars/ humans consider Tarnation equivalent to a third-world country]].

* It's no holography, of course, but LCD displays are technically transparent, there has been work on transparent OLED displays, and there's always the option to simply aim a projector at a screen made out of certain transparent materials. The coolest example is probably the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaiRLpuwDZ0 Emulator]], a huge touchscreen with a projector mounted on the floor, that comes with a ''Film/MinorityReport'' style DJ control software.
* The Zvr VirtualReality display: http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/563180/hp-zvr-virtual-reality-display-shows-holographic-projections/ It requires special glasses to see the images and a stylus in order to manipulate them, though.
* [[http://www.designboom.com/technology/transparent-smartphone-by-polytron/ Taiwan-based Polytron Technologies]] has not only built transparent smartphones, but [[DataCrystal transparent USB memory sticks]].

** When [[ComicBook/{{Thor}} Lady Sif]] comes to Earth, Coulson expects her to have trouble with it, but she quickly proves more adept at the interface than Coulson himself. As she's one of the most adventurous Asgardians, she's spent a lot of time in tech civilizations. She even calls it more primitive than what she's used to.

* The computers of the Ptolemaios (both I and II) in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'' [[UpToEleven take this to a whole new level]], as the holographic terminals can appear ''[[FridgeLogic anywhere on the ship.]]'' As a less extreme example, the terminals utilised by the rest of the world are pretty much like this too, except they only can be generated at specific locations near hardware of some sort.

!!Examples

** And in ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' as well. Ugh.

* Washu in ''Anime/TenchiMuyo'' loved using these in everyday life, such as making custom baby-food.

* ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' has these everywhere, but it becomes a lot more common by [[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers season 3]] once the plot moves to Mid-childa. It seems most mages can have them pop up wherever they need them.
** It should be noted that this includes invisible floating keyboards.
* Variation in ''Anime/DenNohCoil''. Here, the main characters almost constantly wear advanced AugmentedReality goggles that superimpose computer-generated imagery over the real world. Such glasses are also able to sense the user's movements, so free-floating virtual terminals are one of the most common ways to interact with the simulation system. Such displays, like everything else in the "den-noh-world", are invisible and intangible to anyone that doesn't wear den-noh-glasses. They should logically be intangible to the wearer too, since glasses don't cover your hands, yet everyone is perfectly comfortable typing on a HardLight keyboard suspended in midair.
* A lampshade hanging in ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEnders: Dolores, i'': James asks Dolores (the robot's AI) for "full control" of the [[HumongousMecha orbital frame]], saying he doesn't need her help to pilot it. Dolores complies and ''floods'' the cockpit with Holographic Terminals of every onboard system. Overwhelmed, he agrees to let her help with micromanaging the systems while he does the piloting and they share strategic thinking.
* ''Anime/WolfsRain'' had controls like this, used at least in the first episode to release an artificial being from her lab tank.
* ''[[Anime/SerialExperimentsLain Lain]]'''s CyberPunk computer had this, after she had upgraded it considerably.
* The facilities in ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' had this, to a limited extent. And boy did they like to announce countdowns of doom.

* ''Anime/GuiltyCrown'', being set in 2039, has these. Usually they are flat, floating screens set up as command centers, but they also come in the more circular set-up as well. They've also been integrated into cellphones with a screen that can be switched on and off.

** Numerous other bits of technology seem to play this more straight, with holographic computer bits being a common background element in The City
* Salaak, the ComicBook/GreenLantern MissionControl, does his job using a semicircle of terminals he creates with his ring. This is convenient, as his workstation is wherever he happens to be.
* In the first issue of ''ComicBook/{{Superman}} Unchained'', Lois Lane controls the Daily Planet layout with a holographic terminal.
* In later issues of the pre-Flashpoint ''Comicbook/BirdsOfPrey'', ComicBook/{{Oracle}} had a holographic terminal.
* ComicBook/{{Oracle}} gets another holographic terminal in the Elseworlds tale ''[[ComicBook/SensationComicsFeaturingWonderWoman Gothamazon]]''.

* The displays in ''Film/MinorityReport'', although they're technically not floating so much as projected ''inside'' glass panels. This is actually not a difficult thing to do. The whole ''Minority Report'' computer setup could probably be created at home for a few hundred bucks -- whether it would be ''comfortable'' to use is another matter. Microsoft would like you to know that it has one, Kinect. It looks a bit like the ''Babylon 5'' ship below.
* The gate-keeper operators for Zion in the second ''[[Film/TheMatrix Matrix]]'' movie (the ones who clear the ship for entry in the beginning), although technically they're in their own mini-Matrix (so to speak), so it's not 'real' hologram technology. Note that these people organize who lands where in Zion as opposed to just being door-openers, something that might be easier to organize inside a construct -- besides, they're sure as hell not going to let a program do it.
* The ''Series/BabylonFive'' sequel movie ''Legend of the Rangers'' depicted a unique interface for the CoolStarship's weapons systems: the gunnery officer floated in zero-gravity inside a holographic representation of nearby space -- and ''punched, kicked and swatted'' at images of the enemy to shoot them. When the ship was in a firing frenzy, she rather looked like she was having a seizure.

* In ''Film/{{Paycheck}}'', the protagonist is a reverse engineer. He buys a new hologram-projecting TV, plugs it into his lab computer. The TV's specs then appear on the transparent wall behind him, revealing that it is a transparent screen like in ''Film/MinorityReport''. He then manipulates the specs with hand gestures. Pretty much a 2-D version of Stark's gear. RuleOfCool certainly applies, as well as ViewerFriendlyInterface, but it doesn't look implausible for the most part -- except the standing-there-waving-your-arms-around-for-hours-on-end part. And when he finishes that project he decides to ditch the screen for the holo-TV, so it's just a floating projection.

* The Conjoiners in Creator/AlastairReynolds' ''[[Literature/RevelationSpaceSeries Revelation Space]]'' series can see holographic displays, except that they're created in their mind by their cybernetic implants. One character discovers this after being assimilated and finding out why some people were waving their hands in the air and staring at things that were not there.

* In Creator/LarryNiven's ''Literature/KnownSpace'' novels, from ''Literature/TheRingworldThrone'' onward, all computer terminals are one of these.

* The ''Series/DoctorWho'' serial ''The Caves of Androzani'' featured one of these. The hologram in question wasn't CGI, however, but pre-filmed footage. Director Graeme Harper used this limitation to an interesting advantage by having one of the characters get up and walk ''around'' the hologram, the effect being added in later.
* Used in ''Series/CSIMiami''. It's also a OmniscientDatabase, and they don't even have the TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture {{handwave}} to fall back on, as on-screen dates show episodes usually occurring on the week of their transmission. To be fair, the tech they use is loosely based on experimental products, and could arguably be considered [[RuleOfPerception visual shorthand]].
** Take a closer look at the background; it's a black room with yellow stripes making a grid on the wall. ShoutOut anyone?
** And in ''Series/{{CSINY}}'' as well. Ugh.
** The laser keyboard in the RealLife section below popped up in one episode, being used by a secretary who wanted to stealth-blog about her employers. She had it connected to a PDA, and just turned it off when it wasn't in use or when someone came by.
* Early seasons of ''Series/{{Bones}}'' had Angela's reconstructions performed on a holographic display before that was replaced with giant glass monitors.
* In ''Series/StargateAtlantis'', a lot of Ancients technology (including the Puddle Jumpers) use this. They still have hand controls but a lot of the mapping and directional functions are part of a holo-screen that pops up for the user.
** It should be noted that the Puddle Jumpers also respond to telepathic commands -- as long as you have the Ancient gene.
** ''Series/StargateUniverse'' shows that even the uber-old Destiny has holographics without any kind of visible emitters.
* ''{{Series/Eureka}}'' uses this technology, actually reaching out and grabbing the windows and moving them. Actually reaching out and grabbing on and crumbling it up before tossing it into the real trashcan.
* ''Series/{{Caprica}}'' has holographic terminals in spades. Their absence in chronologically later ''Battlestar Galactica'' series is likely due to the [[ScienceIsBad technology backlash]] that resulted from the [[RobotWar First Cylon War]].

* The short-lived series ''Series/TheCape'' featured such a device employed by vigilante/blogger Oracle (Creator/SummerGlau).
* A "pane glass" version was frequently used in the TooGoodToLast ''Series/AlmostHuman''. Creator/KarlUrban's character used one to try to reconstruct his memory by throwing virtual post-it notes at the screen. In one episode, he waves them all away, presumably deleting them.
* Inverted by Natasha on ''Series/OtherSpace'': she is displayed solely within computer monitors but pokes invisible buttons when performing tasks.
* ''Series/AgentsOfSHIELD'':
** [=FitzSimmons=]'s holotable on the Bus in early seasons. There is one funny scene where [[HopelessWithTech Coulson and Ward]] are looking at something on it, and have no idea how to do all the cool "moving holograms around" stuff Jemma and Leo do, or even how to close a window once they've finished with it.
** When [[ComicBook/{{Thor}} Lady Sif]] comes to Earth, Coulson expects her to have trouble with it, but she quickly proves more adept at the interface than Coulson himself. As she's one of the most adventurous Asgardians, she's spent a lot of time in tech civilizations. She even calls it more primitive than what she's used to.
** Coulson inherits Nick Fury's "toolbox," which is a holographic computer. When it's active, Coulson is surrounded by holographic projections of files and data, which he manipulates through gestures. Apparently Coulson received some training in holography as he was completely inept with the holographic display on the Bus earlier in the series.

* These are present in ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'', but only used for large projections, like showing a battlefield in realtime inside a command base or showing a 3D map of the local solar system inside the bridge of a dropship. Battlemechs make use of computer screens, a little bit of AugmentedReality in the desplay screen of the neurohelmets pilots wear, and the controls are all physical buttons and joysticks.

* A few of these show up in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime''; for the most part, Samus activates them with her suit's scanner instead of trying to touch them.
** The map stations in ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime2Echoes'' and ''VideoGame/MetroidPrime3Corruption'', on the other hand, are a straight example, touch control and everything.
* In the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' game series, [[ScaryDogmaticAliens Covenant]] and [[{{Precursors}} Forerunner]] control panels are made of light - blue and purple for the Covenant, and aquamarine and orange for the Forerunners. They usually have visible emitters. To a lesser degree, humans have also started to use these.

*** There are some holographic interfaces that don't work with haptic interfaces, however--see, for example, door "locks". At one point in ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', Shepard hits one with their elbow to open a door, indicating that some are just plain holograms. Evidently they work by detecting a disruption in the light.

* While it was controlled by a pretty much normal keyboard and mouse, the opening sequence of the legendary action platformer game ''VideoGame/AnotherWorld'' (''Out of This World'' in some countries) featured a computer whose monitor consisted of a volumetric display, and had cubic windows floating in its confines.
* Practically all of the interfaces in ''VideoGame/{{Xenosaga}}'' are holographic, including those on [=PDAs=] - they pop out of the PDA on demand and magically accept physical interaction.

* Every single item in ''Franchise/DeadSpace''; [=RIGs=], suits even the weapons and power tools have a holographic display which says how much ammo they have left. The projections are not exactly solid, though, since you can move through them at any time. There's also a marked ''lack'' of actual, physical screens, buttons and switches in the setting; anytime the power goes out, it's likely the whole interface just ''disappears'' (as seen on the ''Ishimura'' bridge in ''WesternAnimation/DeadSpaceDownfall'').
** Attention should be drawn to the rather notable [[DiegeticInterface diegetic menus]]. Barring the game's pause menu, everything else is projected as a real holographic control for [[PlayerCharacter Isaac]] to interact with in the game world. As such, you don't get to pause to check your inventory mid-combat, or the like.
** Apparently this [[ViewerFriendlyInterface holographic exuberance]] is a hallmark of the [=EarthGov=] era. ''VideoGame/{{Dead Space 3}}'' fluff indicates that prior to the [[TheWarOfEarthlyAggression Secession War]], Sovereign Colonies technologies used more practical, down-to-Earth transparent touchscreens... which one flipped through like the pages of a book.
* The Turraken laboratory scanner in ''VideoGame/{{Startopia}}'' has a holographic display with MatrixRainingCode when something is being analyzed.
* ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands}}'' features this in spades, as vending machines, entry gates, and even the pause menus and inventory screens are represented as floating holograms. If you look closely, you can see the inventory/pause screens moving around a bit, and this is explained by the [[HyperspaceArsenal storage deck]] the Claptrap gives you at the very start, which then "boots up," showing you your health, ammo, and other HUD paraphernalia.
* ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}'' features this with the various holographic imagers in the series, sometimes mixed with HugeHolographicHead. Most of them are just read-only projectors with the image suspended inches from the source; but ''VideoGame/UruAgesBeyondMyst'' plays it straighter, especially with your KI, a disc the size of your hand that can project a full interactive screen in midair.
* ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyDualDestinies'' has Athena's Widget, a necklace computer that projects a holographic terminal that the player will use in the ''Mood Matrix'' sections of the game.
** Similar to the Mass Effect example above, Athena wears a special glove that allows her to physically interact with the hologram.
* In ''VideoGame/DragonBallXenoverse2'', whenever the player goes into the pause menu, it's represented in-game by their Time Patroller activating one of these.
* [[PlayfulHacker Sombra]] of ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'' seems to have hologram projectors built in with the rest of her {{cyborg}} enhancements, as her {{h|ollywoodHacking}}acking involves tossing around and manipulating flat holographic screens.
* Characters in ''VideoGame/CosmicStarHeroine'' make use of their shields' {{p|owersAsPrograms}}rograms by tapping on holographic pop-ups.

* From ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', Jade's computer. It has a massive holographic screen, and a separate HardLight keyboard, while the computer itself is the size of a lunchbox.

* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'': Kat can access her {{Magitek}} computer remotely via a pop-up holographic display that's {{intangib|ility}}le to everyone except her. Thanks to its supernatural qualities, she doesn't need any hardware on her end whatsoever.

* Used for just about everything in ''Literature/LandGames''.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Chaotic}}'', before a match (and after every battle) begins, players assemble their battle teams via a holographic console. Logical considering Chaotic is a VR simulation. Interestingly, it averts the two way translucency by not letting opponents see each other's card selections. From one side, you get creatures, mugics, and locations, but from the other it looks like a floating plexiglass pane.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AquaTeenHungerForce'' Master Shake agrees to something or internet and the entire house gets flooded with holographic displays of internet advertising from the WWWYZZERDD. To the point where they can no longer function due to the enormous amounts of ads floating constantly over their heads.

*** People also don't attempt two-handed full-speed touch-typing on iPhones, either - although it's just about possible on an iPad (indeed, the first draft of the current--and rather controversial--38-page [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Hungary Constitution of Hungary]] was drafted on an iPad). As well, the visual display also happens to be in the exact same location as the input method...you can't help but SEE where to guide your fingers.

** On ''Series/StarTrekPicard'', Rios controls his ship with a holographic helm. When Picard has to take the helm, he has difficulty piloting the ship as [[RealityEnsues it's nothing like the technology he was familiar with]].

** Apparently this [[ViewerFriendlyInterface holographic exuberance]] is a hallmark of the [=EarthGov=] era. ''VideoGame/{{Dead Space 3}}'' fluff indicates that prior to the [[TheWarOfEarthlyAggression Secession War]], Sovereign Colonies technologies used more practical, down-to-Earth transparent touchscreens... [[CompletelyMissingThePoint which one flipped through like the pages of a book]].

* Variation in ''Anime/DenNohCoil''. Here, the main characters almost constantly wear advanced [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality augmented reality]] goggles that superimpose computer-generated imagery over the real world. Such glasses are also able to sense the user's movements, so free-floating virtual terminals are one of the most common ways to interact with the simulation system. Such displays, like everything else in the "den-noh-world", are invisible and intangible to anyone that doesn't wear den-noh-glasses. They should logically be intangible to the wearer too, since glasses don't cover your hands, yet everyone is perfectly comfortable typing on a HardLight keyboard suspended in midair.

* Variation in ''Anime/DennouCoil''. Here, the main characters almost constantly wear advanced [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augmented_reality augmented reality]] goggles that superimpose computer-generated imagery over the real world. Such glasses are also able to sense the user's movements, so free-floating virtual terminals are one of the most common ways to interact with the simulation system. Such displays, like everything else in the "dennou-world", are invisible and intangible to anyone that doesn't wear dennou-glasses. They should logically be intangible to the wearer too, since glasses don't cover your hands, yet everyone is perfectly comfortable typing on a HardLight keyboard suspended in midair.

[[caption-width-right:350:[-And when the power fails, [[AwesomeButImpractical the whole thing goes dark]].[[labelnote:*]]Of course, if the power goes out on a spaceship, you've got bigger things to worry about.[[/labelnote]]-] ]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/Plan7Of9FromOuterSpace''. When Kincaid is piloting a HumongousMecha, his holographic gunsight keeps getting [[AdvertOverloadedFuture obscured by pop-up adds]].
[[/folder]]

* ''Fanfic/Plan7Of9FromOuterSpace''. When Kincaid is piloting a HumongousMecha, his holographic sight keeps getting obscured by pop-up adds.

* ''Fanfic/Plan7Of9FromOuterSpace''. When Kincaid is fighting {{Kaiji}} in a HumungousMecha, his holographic sight keeps getting obscured by pop-up adds.

** On ''Series/StarTrekPicard'', Rios controls his ship with a holographic helm.

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}: The computers in Remnant have holographic interfaces. The desks in the offices of both Professors Ozpin and Lionheart can generate screens and keyboards for both computer use and monitoring the city; people can interface their scrolls with computers (including the aforementioned headmasters' desks) to create holographic interfaces for, especially for strategy planning; video games are played through holographic interfaces and the Atlesian Paladins are controlled via holographic projections of both screen and keyboard.

Contrast with {{Zeerust}}, {{Steampunk}}, OurGraphicsWillSuckInTheFuture, and UsedFuture. See also: HardLight and {{Hologram}}. See also HologramProjectionImperfection.

* Used near-ubiquitously by the Imperium in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' for managing both naval and on-surface operations. They seem to require some sort of "wands" to manipulate objects within them, although there seem to be either touchscreens or keyboards to back them up. Given how [[LostTechnology run-down]] all things Imperial are, they're not exactly of the best quality and require PercussiveMaintenance from time to time. The Tu's by contrast, don't require anything of the sort, and cause considerable discomfort for AdMech officials (who view technology as a religion) who don't see how it can work without exposed wiring and angular surfaces everywhere.