3M MP160 and MP180 pico projectors bring business casual to your pocket, sort of
The pico projector has always walked a fine line -- the smaller they are, the less features they typically boast. 3M's been cranking out the picos for a long time now, and its just outed two new ones firmly aimed at the business crowd. The MP160 and MP180 are both small (no surprises there), with the MP180 being the most full-featured of the two. That one packs WiFi, a touchscreen, Bluetooth, an integrated MP3 player, 4GB of storage, an SD slot and USB for all your quick, on-the-go projecting needs. The stripped down MP160 doesn't have any of those extras, but both feature external speakers and audio output. As far as the actual projectors are concerned, but the MP160 and MP180 have 30 lumens of brightness and a two-hour battery life with SVGA resolution -- a good showing for projectors of this type. Both are available for pre-order at 3M right now, with shipments in early October. The MP160 sells for $349 while the MP180 will run you $399. The full press release is below.
Updated: We actually got to check out the MP180 for ourselves. There are some shots below, but the unit we saw was an early prototype and couldn't keep a connection to a WiFi network. The resistive touchscreen on the device was also pretty flaky. Still it looks like it'll be an interesting little gadget when 3M works out the kinks. %Gallery-102469%
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Two New Pocket Projectors from 3M Help Simplify the Life of the Business Professional
ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3M Company is introducing two new products in its award-winning line of pocket projectors. The 3M MP160 and 3M MP180 offer 30 lumens of brightness, an unprecedented, full, two-hour battery life and SVGA resolution, making it easy for business professionals to share presentations, video and more virtually anywhere.
Both new pocket projectors were designed with the on-the-go professional in mind. The MP180 allows users to present PowerPoint® files, videos, photos or documents, at the touch of a button. A touch screen makes operation a snap, while Wi-Fi™ connectivity and Bluetooth® compatibility enable Internet browsing and file transfer from laptops or smartphones. The MP180 also features an integrated MP3 player, 4 gigabytes of internal memory, a micro SD card slot, and USB so people can, literally, grab and go.
For those looking for a more streamlined device, the MP160 offers the same brightness, resolution and portability as the MP180, at a lower price point. This projector is sold with VGA and composite video cables, which makes it easy to connect the MP160 to virtually any gadget that outputs video.
Both the MP160 and MP180 feature more powerful stereo speakers, and an audio output, so users can connect headphones or external speakers. In addition, both have an integrated flip stand, tripod and a variety of input cables, so they are ready to use "out-of-the-box" with a wide range of today's most popular video output gadgets. Available optional accessories include an adapter cable for Apple® products, car charger, and presentation binder.
"The 3M MP160 and MP180 truly offer something for everyone," said Mark Colin, vice president, 3M Mobile Interactive Solutions Division. "The MP180's unmatched versatility and extensive feature set is perfect for the mobile road warrior while the MP160 is an ideal accessory for those who don't need a lot of extra features and prefer a straight pass-through device. And, with two-hours battery life, people can rest assured that they will be able to get through just about any presentation without needing to recharge."
The MP160 and MP180 are now available for pre-order from shop3M.com and amazon.com. Orders will begin shipping in early October. The MP180 has an estimated price of $399 and MP160 has an estimated price of $349. Optional accessories for all 3M pocket projectors are sold separately.
About 3M
A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M's core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 76,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, visit www.3m.com.
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