3M reveals MPro110 pocket projector: ships this month

It's official: the age of the pico projector has arrived. And we're not talking the age of pico projector announcements, we're talking about launches. Just after Toshiba came clean with its LED Pico Projector, along comes 3M (of all companies) with one of its own. The MPro110 pocket beamer got handled by PopSci, and the results were pretty much as we'd expect. Decently bright, extraordinarily novel, but not exactly world-class. Brightness (the lack thereof, actually) was an issue, and a few movie scenes were deemed "indecipherable." Additionally, it has no built-in speaker, but for just $359, we suppose that's an omission we can live with. Best of all, this one's set to ship on September 30th. To America. Woo!

[Via AboutProjectors]

[avester @ Sep 13th 2008 4:07AM]

GET THESE INTEGRATED ON THE DEVICES.

Seriously, the whole point of these is that you can use them to show some maps and watch movies OTG, but nobody is going to carry yet another device for just that.

If you are keeping presentations, you are going to carry a real projector, I've yet to see the laptops and such being replaced by mobile phones.

[JKT @ Sep 13th 2008 5:00AM]

I think I'm missing your point. If an iPhone can handle a PowePoint presentation, why not use that plus this for the ultimate portable slide show system--one that can fit in your pocket?

[d @ Sep 13th 2008 9:19AM]

If you're keeping presentations and are carrying around a projector, why not lighten your load and get a slick pico-projector?

b/c of brightness, I don't think this is the one, but a few months, and I'll totally be on it.

[avester @ Sep 13th 2008 10:46AM]

@JKT, I mean that they need to integrate these to devices : iPhone with integrated projector, not iPhone and separate projector. You catching on?

[Tim @ Sep 13th 2008 1:42PM]

But who wants to triple the size of their phone for something most users will rarely use? Especially when integration would likely limit you from using it with any other devices. The closest to integration tthey should come is a built in dock for w/e phone you use.

[iKrolm @ Sep 13th 2008 7:57PM]

I wouldn't want a projector in a laptop: often the projector is elevated on something to give it a better angle or facing the opposite direction of the laptop, etc. This is small enough to bring everywhere & keeping it separate allows for greater flexibility.

[eggothewaffle @ Sep 13th 2008 4:11AM]

$359? That's a rather impressive price point. Does this mean a new generation of college kids get to watch Donnie Darko and other critically important college films on a gigantic wall instead of a tiny TV?

[Wwhat @ Sep 13th 2008 6:57AM]

They say max 50" (1.27M)

[Benson @ Sep 13th 2008 4:27AM]

Hmmm...

Love these devices; launching at $359 is surprisingly affordable, though still more than it's worth to me. But it does mean one for ~$200 is not far off. Then I buy.

[gad get @ Sep 13th 2008 4:44AM]

I'm sorry, I must have something in my ear; did you say 3M?

[Mark @ Sep 13th 2008 8:33AM]

3M used to make a lot of money selling those clear plastic transparency sheets for the old-school overhead projectors. I guess that division is trying to move into the 21st century.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Sep 13th 2008 11:21PM]

3M has been in the projector business for a long time.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Meetings/Home/

[Ken @ Sep 15th 2008 11:08AM]

You use your ear to read?

[Ken @ Sep 13th 2008 6:21AM]

DO WANT! Don't really have any good reason to own one.. hence novel.. but wow neato. I don't think you can call yourself a tech gadgetaholic without lusting after something like this.

[aemond @ Sep 13th 2008 5:56AM]

The device is very tiny but is the power supply bulky and bigger than the projector? Or is it battery operated???

[Wwhat @ Sep 13th 2008 6:55AM]

Lithium-ion, one hour operating time.

[Wwhat @ Sep 13th 2008 6:56AM]

That's for portable use, it also runs on adaptor (of course)

[Bob @ Sep 13th 2008 10:02AM]

Wonder if you could engineer something to power it via USB... THAT would be awesome.

[paul @ Sep 13th 2008 7:07AM]

MVIS, TI, 3M - MVIS seems to have the best - but they just can't get it to market. The CEO is so full of himself - he can't bring it to "call someone in" to solve the possible problems going to market - As an investor - no matter how good the product - if the weak link is Management - it's over....MVIS has been dorking around for several years now. The CEO is a dork!

[Chuck @ Sep 13th 2008 7:37AM]

If you typed that from your work computer I'd start looking for another job.

[Wwhat @ Sep 13th 2008 7:03AM]

Run down:
VGA and (old) composite video input.
152 grams
Lithium-Ion battery for 1 hour of operation, but runs on adaptor too.
Max projection size 50 inches (or 1.27 meters)
Size: 11,5 x 5 x 2,2 cm (L/B/H) or 4.5x1.97x0.86 inch

[loop @ Sep 13th 2008 7:09AM]

sign me up...where can i buy...359 is a sketchy price...expect to pay double when it first comes out...damn supply and demand!

[Strick @ Sep 13th 2008 7:50AM]

I was just on a project where we'd have killed for this. We were running dozens of requirements and JAD sessions simultaneously and only had access to one or two projectors. This would be perfect for one or two guys working through a problem together, leaving the more expensive projectors to the larger group sessions.

And they're cheaper and more portable than the 40 inch monitors we had in each conference room at the client before that. With this, all you'd need is a cube and a plug.

[Douglas Bailey @ Sep 13th 2008 8:36AM]

"Decently bright, extraordinarily novel, but not exactly world-class. Brightness (the lack thereof, actually) was an issue, and a few movie scenes were deemed "indecipherable.""

Sorry, was the brightness decent or was it an issue?

[a_roast_chicken @ Sep 13th 2008 8:52AM]

"Pocket projector" sounds awfully close to "pocket protector", i.e. woman repeller. I'll pass.

But kudos to everyone behind this! I look forward to seeing where this technology heads in the future.

[Eric @ Sep 13th 2008 9:07AM]

That's exactly what I read. In fact, 3M introducing a pocket protector would be a little more believable.

But $350 for a pocket protector better include some horn rim glasses an a sliderule!

[Charbax @ Sep 13th 2008 9:18AM]

I posted a video showing the similar Aiptek v10 PocketCinema that has launched in Europe for a little cheaper at: http://techvideoblog.com/ifa/aiptek-v10-pocketcinema-ultra-mini-projector/

[aeth @ Sep 13th 2008 9:21AM]

Is that an image of an erect appendage being projected out of your pocket by an MPro110, or are you just happy to see me?

[Don @ Sep 13th 2008 10:20AM]

3M no surprise.
16 billion a year in sales.
They have been making and selling projectors for years.
It might be safe to say that most people reading this have more 3M products in their homes than any other manufacturer.

Here is a link to 3M's promo video on the little projector


http://www.3m.com/mpro/index.html

[Wwhat @ Sep 13th 2008 11:28AM]

"most people reading this have more 3M products in their homes than any other manufacturer."
You know you might work for 3M, and be dating the daughter of the CEO, and have inherited 50% of their stock, but even so, that statement is over the top.

[Don @ Sep 13th 2008 1:00PM]

Wwhat, take a look at this list, click on the headers take a look around. Then come back and continue talking out of your A$$

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Sep 13th 2008 11:16PM]

@Wwhat

I really doubt you are.

[Wwhat @ Sep 15th 2008 2:06AM]

I have about 3 or 4 3M products in my house, mostly chemical based, heattransfer pads are one, sticky tape another, my mousefeet are probably 3M too. I'm not sure why anybody would assume I have tons of 3M devices in my house, I didn't even know they made actual devices.
Now it's possible they are way bigger in your area, but to make such a blanket statement that more devices in people's houses are 3M than any other seems bizarre, perhaps you are thinking of GE and not 3M?

[Karma50 @ Oct 20th 2008 5:24PM]

They also make alot of adhesives. They hold the license for the Post-It-Note adhesive and other glues and paints that are probably holding your desk together and making sure the paint on the wall next to your stays the same color for the next 15 years. 3M makes most of the little things that other companies use to make their products. Not to mention all the chemicals and bottles of stuff under your kitchen sink and in the garage.

By the way, I have no affiliation to 3M.

[dbowling @ Nov 25th 2008 9:56PM]

Actually, the average american uses 17 3M products a day. I do work for 3M.. that's how I know this.

[Brian @ Sep 13th 2008 12:37PM]

Woohoo... $359? That's a great price point to start at.

Bring on the visual pollution!

(How long will it be until someone hacks it with a super bright LED bulb instead of the eco' one they put in there?)

[Don @ Sep 14th 2008 1:11AM]

This list

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Products/ProdServ/

[NickTheRat @ Sep 13th 2008 6:30PM]

vga input? since the video is pretty crappy from what im hearing, why not do video over usb? =)

oh man, i almost forgot usb3 should be out soon. that should be able to charge this puppy and do video!

I think im holding off on any purchases till that new intel chip, ddr3, and usb3 become standards.

[Jeremy @ Sep 13th 2008 9:20PM]

Do led's ever burn out

[jercb123 @ Sep 13th 2008 9:24PM]

@Jeremy
nvm looked it up

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED#Failure_modes

[glenn @ Sep 14th 2008 10:37AM]

The big winner in this space will be QPC LASERS. Unmatched color quality, brightness, size and cost. Will be building into cell phones in the not too distant future as well. Check them out.

[fady @ Oct 15th 2008 7:52PM]

how much does it cost me if i want it in egypt

[Tom Gearman @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:39AM]

I just ordered the 3M MPro110, complete with cables and power supply, at http://www.shop3m.com/3m-micro-professional-projectors.html

Looks like they will be shipping the week of Oct 13th - I’m happy to have my order placed and ready to go!

[Henrik @ Nov 16th 2008 5:36PM]

Does it work with iPhone ? To show video and pictures ? Is the cable included or do I need to buy something extra ? Thanks for answers ;)