3M's MM200 micro projector seeks integration within cellphones, cameras

The MPro110 has picked up some pretty positive vibes in the burgeoning pico projector market, but 3M is already looking well beyond that. At this year's CES, the company is debuting the LCoS-based MM200, a micro projection engine that is destined to find its way into cellphones, handheld accessories and digital cameras of the future. Reportedly, the device can project a 50-inch image while only drawing a single watt of power, and best of all, it'll be "available for consumer purchase in 2009." Yeah, as in, this year. One more look is after the break.

[Bob James @ Jan 6th 2009 12:12PM]

this thing would be amazing in with an Ipod or a Zune watch movies with it. Can project the image on the tray tables in airplanes!

[John @ Jan 6th 2009 12:18PM]

Provided the cabin lights were out and it was night time!

[konshuss @ Jan 6th 2009 12:40PM]

provided you have a blanket and a small amount of creativity.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jan 6th 2009 12:48PM]

Or play games on with a psp slim and it's great video out capabilities.

[Richard Nixon @ Jan 12th 2009 5:20AM]

Whats up with this guy's nails?

[Wwhat @ Jan 6th 2009 12:21PM]

Divide price by 12, call again, that's my general view of pico projectors.

[Rsaeire @ Jan 6th 2009 12:25PM]

Forget cellphones, how about putting them into laptops, netbooks, UMPCS etc; that would be more beneficial in my opinion. For business use, it would save carrying a laptop and a projector to display presentations. For personal use, you could have your laptop in your living room, bedroom etc and project a movie or TV show on your wall.

It will be very interesting to see how this market develops.

[Flashpoint @ Jan 6th 2009 12:30PM]

Rather than put projectors into laptops - why not, put laptops onto projectors?

If you make an all in one device with a foldout keyboard and a laptop lcd screen, it would be very portable.

The obvious problem would be cooling - but, there are plenty of ways to cool a device like this, if you are using an energy efficient LED set for your light source.

[TomServo @ Jan 6th 2009 12:33PM]

Call me incredibly short-sighted if you will, but I fail to see this whole pico projector race going anywhere.

[Jake Tobak @ Jan 6th 2009 12:49PM]

You sir are incredibly short-sighted.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jan 6th 2009 12:52PM]

You are incredibly SHORT SIGHTED! These things are going to take off just like the walkman of the 80's. You'll see soon everywhere you go you will be forced to watch annoying home movies shot with really bad low quality cameras. I look forward to laughing at said people while I play video games on their backs.

[Wwhat @ Jan 6th 2009 4:24PM]

Ironically pico projectors are most suited for the short sighted, rather than the far sighted.
Personally I think they have a future, once the price gets to $60 and below, but before that they are mainly to fill engadget with articles on slow days, which isn't a bad gig for them surely.

[Finian Wells @ Jan 6th 2009 12:41PM]

EXCUSE ME, but what is 3Ms obsession with the letter "M"? Everything is M-this or M-that. A friend's fiancee used to work at 3M and her email address was @mmm.com (I'm surprised it wasn't @mmm.m). --- BTW - can anyone guess who her favorite 007 character was?

In any case, 3Ms excitement over a new product seems to correlate directly to the number of Ms they put in the model number so this MM200 must be pretty good but when the MMMMMMM5000 comes out then we'll be rawkin'.

[Jason @ Jan 6th 2009 12:45PM]

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

[Jake Tobak @ Jan 6th 2009 12:51PM]

I think it has something to do with branding/marketing.

[Velik @ Jan 6th 2009 1:20PM]

Whats Apple's obsession with the letter "i"?

[Wwhat @ Jan 6th 2009 4:26PM]

So they used 3 m's as email address, a company called 3M, amazing stuff, how do they think it up.

[Curt @ Jan 6th 2009 12:53PM]

Sorry 3M, Microvision is smaller, lower power, better resolution, bigger picuture, etc. I'm surprised Engadget didn't mention them or TI's solution (also inferior due to the need for those tiny mirrors). If handset makers want to use anything but Microvision, they're going to be trying to sell a brick to consumers who want THIN.

[George @ Jan 6th 2009 1:38PM]

Exactly! Why is 3-M moving forward with inferior technology. Microvision's PicoP laser light engine is far superior in every aspect. Smaller, thiner, little or no heat (3-M's light engine is a small cooker -- pocket-warmer.)

Most of all, Microvision's projected image is suitable for home entertainment, gaming and serious business presentations -- emphasis on 'serious business' presentations.

[Wwhat @ Jan 6th 2009 4:28PM]

Pocket warmer eh, I bet they sell like hot-cakes in the ukraine, ehe, hot-cakes

[Boarderwoot @ Jan 6th 2009 1:49PM]

Hey darren, how about you mosey on over to booth #30651 and tell us what Zii is all about once an for all?

[Wwhat @ Jan 6th 2009 4:30PM]

He has a deal with adobe to postpone it probably.

(For the simpleminded : so people can photoshop fake pictures of what it is you see).

[Kristopher Windsor @ Jan 6th 2009 6:14PM]

Integrated? Why can't I get one with inputs that could replace expensive projectors? Or will these cell phones cost $1000?

[Gregory Bloom @ Jan 6th 2009 6:47PM]

Draws only one watt? Assuming it converts that one whole watt into glorious luminosity, spreading one watt across 1200 square inches gives an image brightness that might be clear in a pitch dark cave. After your eyes adjust for 5 minutes or so.

[Jack @ Feb 6th 2009 4:33AM]

Saw the microvision unit. Not out yet, $500, not that bright,, etc. etc... not that impressed except the no-focus feature....

The Aaxatech and Aiptek units are 1/2 the price (~$250), are brighter, have higher resolution, and have onboard video decoding... There was actually a $199 unit at Aiptek's booth (but with no onboard video decoding)... Guess which one I'd rather own?