Engadget

Way-Go flashlight uses lasers to light your path, GPS to tell you where to go

Michael Gorman — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:42:00 EST

We love just about anything involving lasers or robotics here at Engadget, so naturally, we're intrigued by Sriranjan Rasakatla's Way-Go flashlight that combines the two. It's comprised of a laser pico projector, GPS module, altitude and heading reference system (AHRS) to not only light your path but also tell you which way to go. It can be used strictly as a flashlight, but users can also input starting and destination points to have the Way-Go guide them. There's also a wander mode that displays info about your surroundings as you stroll around -- though naturally, such information must be pre-programmed into the device. Because it displays stuff that needs reading, the projector's connected to servos that can keep it locked on a projection point to keep it readable no matter how much you move the Way-Go around. Rasakatla sees the device being useful in search and rescue, backcountry trekking, and campus tour guiding -- odd, 'cause in our day, kids walking around campus at night were trying to find out where the party was at, not learn about the architecture of the academic buildings. Regardless, you can see the Way-Go in action after the break.

Continue reading Way-Go flashlight uses lasers to light your path, GPS to tell you where to go

Way-Go flashlight uses lasers to light your path, GPS to tell you where to go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Light Blue Optics touch interface pico projector passes through the FCC

Michael Gorman — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:13:00 EST

Last time we saw Light Blue Optics' Light Touch, it was deep in the bowels of CES, where we got to play with its touch-sensitive projections. Well, the little laser pico projector has finally made its way from that dark trade show corner into the bright lights of the FCC. It still turns any flat area into a WVGA touchscreen using holographic laser projection (HLP) and infrared sensors, only now it's more finger friendly and supports multi-touch gestures. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a single mono speaker so you aren't surface computing in silence, and there are composite video and micro-USB ports for pulling content from other devices. Of course, the Light Touch still only projects a 10.1-inch image, so it won't be turning your wall into a touchscreen. But, it should do just fine turning a tray table, desk, or perhaps even the nearest person planking into one.

Light Blue Optics touch interface pico projector passes through the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nioncom's pico projector-equipped mini-tablet gets demoed on video

Terrence O'Brien — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:12:00 EST

So, Nioncom still hasn't gotten its MemoryKick Vision out the door yet (the company has pushed availability in the the second half of 2011), but the pico projector-equipped "mini-tablet" is still alive... even if it's not so well. The folks at Picopros got their hands on a prototype unit from the company, though, what they manhandled wasn't exactly the Vision. Instead, they fooled around with reference design that sported a smaller screen (3.5-inches versus 4.3) and 4GB of flash storage in place of the 500GB hard drive -- otherwise the two are identical from a hardware perspective. So, while this is certainly a step in the right direction from the renders, you'll forgive us for not remaining a tad skeptical about about its supposed, upcoming release. Check out the slew of videos after the break, and hit up the source link for the complete impressions.

Continue reading Nioncom's pico projector-equipped mini-tablet gets demoed on video

Nioncom's pico projector-equipped mini-tablet gets demoed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple patent application reveals more projector possibilities, including a projector-equipped laptop

Donald Melanson — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:01:00 EST

We've already seen a few patent applications that suggest Apple is at least mulling over the idea of using projectors for one purpose or another, and another newly published one has now offered a bit more fodder for speculation. Described as a "display system having coherent and incoherent light sources," the patent application suggests that the projector would be laser-based, and be both cheaper and more power efficient than conventional light projectors, while also overcoming the so-called "speckle" problem sometimes seen with laser projectors. What's perhaps most interesting, however, is that the patent application also suggests the projector could be integrated into other devices -- in fact, one of the claims specifically mentions a laptop with an integrated projector, as artfully illustrated above.

Apple patent application reveals more projector possibilities, including a projector-equipped laptop originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nioncom announces Android-based, pico projector-equipped MemoryKick Vision

Donald Melanson — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:28:00 EST

MicroVision may not have any plans to turn the pico projector-equipped "mini-tablet" prototype it showed off at CES earlier this month into an actual product, but it looks like little-known Nioncom is now taking the idea and running with it. While it's still a bit too render-y for our tastes, the company insists that its MemoryKick Vision device is real, and that it will hit the US market sometime in the second quarter of the year. It's based around the same PicoP projector used in MicroVision's prototype, but it beefs things up with a larger 4.3-inch capacitive touchscreen and, perhaps most notably, a 2.5-inch hard drive that promises to allow for 500GB to 1TB of storage (it also pushes the device's thickness to a full inch). Otherwise, you can expect to get Android 2.2 for an OS, a 5 megapixel camera, WiFi and Bluetooth, an accelerometer, HDMI in and out, a USB port, and an SD card slot for additional storage. Still no firm word on a price, but the company apparently expects it to be in the "mid-$500 range."

Gallery: Nioncom MemoryKick Vision

Nioncom announces Android-based, pico projector-equipped MemoryKick Vision originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer prototype laser-based heads-up display with Android hands-on (video)

Tim Stevens — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 23:07:00 EST

Looking down at gauges? Officially passe. Check out Pioneer's vision of the future, a prototype that uses an embedded laser projector (a Microvision, as it were). They showed it a little earlier in Japan but this is the first time we've seen it in the US, and we got a chance to try it out. Right now it's just running a static demo, but the idea is that a virtual concierge (represented by our favorite mascot) pops up to give you information, and you could also get streaming video from traffic cameras, all without you having to look down. The information is supposed to come via a smartphone, we learned later an Android one at that, though things are a little vague. A release date is a little vague too, sometime in 2012, though we're told the company is working with car companies. But could we get this by next year? We'll see.

Gallery: Pioneer laser HUD hands-on

Continue reading Pioneer prototype laser-based heads-up display with Android hands-on (video)

Pioneer prototype laser-based heads-up display with Android hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Jan 2011 23:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer teams with Microvision on laser heads-up display, next-gen pico projector tech

Sean Hollister — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 09:22:00 EST

Remember when Pioneer's Android minions shot laser beams from their eyes and created an awesome prototype heads-up display? It turns out those lasers came from a Microbision PicoP projector, and that prototype is inching towards reality. You see, Pioneer's partnered with Microvision to build a brand-new laser module for the commercial version -- which is set to debut in 2012 -- using a brand-new display engine and the actual green laser that's been missing from the formula up until now. We can't wait to burn driving directions into our collective retina, so we'll be watching this one closely from now on. PR and video after the break.

Continue reading Pioneer teams with Microvision on laser heads-up display, next-gen pico projector tech

Pioneer teams with Microvision on laser heads-up display, next-gen pico projector tech originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAXA debuts L1 v2: world's smallest 20 lumen pico projector

Darren Murph — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:10:00 EST

The pico projector may have peaked a year or so ago, but AAXA Technologies is hoping to ride the coattails of success with the laser-based (read: focus-free) L1 v2. Predictably, this is the second generation L1, and it's being hailed as the world's smallest 20 lumen pico projector at 4.2- x 2.1- x 1.2-inches. Other specs include a native 800 x 600 resolution, on-board gamma correction, an inbuilt media player capable of decoding a slew of file formats, an LCoS imager, a USB socket and an internal battery good for 1.5 hours of use. We're told that it can blast images up to 50-inches in size, and while the $449 MSRP still stings, those who pre-order now can get in for $399. Not exactly a Black Friday special, but hey...

Continue reading AAXA debuts L1 v2: world's smallest 20 lumen pico projector

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AAXA debuts L1 v2: world's smallest 20 lumen pico projector originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microvision integrates direct green laser into pico projector prototype, completes RGB achievement

Vlad Savov — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:03:00 EST

You should by now be aware that we're big fans of Microvision's Show WX pico projectors. Whether integrated into the smartphones or gaming peripherals of the future, we feel like the company's Laser Display Engine has a big part to play in our lives. It's therefore very welcome news to hear that its research team has managed to integrate a "direct" green laser into the portable projector setup, making for simpler and cheaper manufacturing of smaller components. Up to this point, Microvision has been performing its color mixing using a red laser, a blue laser, and a red laser specially re-calibrated to output green light, but that added bit of complexity can now be set aside with the inclusion of lasers that produce green hues natively. The company cites at least five global manufacturers ready to produce direct green beamers in commercial quantities by late 2011, so with a bit of luck and price competition, the pico projector dream might have itself a glorious realization after all.

Continue reading Microvision integrates direct green laser into pico projector prototype, completes RGB achievement

Microvision integrates direct green laser into pico projector prototype, completes RGB achievement originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microvision's Show WX laser pico projector available to buy today, will ship March 24

Vlad Savov — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:48:00 EST

Okay, so maybe Microvision is a little late with the release of its pocketable Show WX pico projector, but we'd rather have a truly useful projector late than a useless one on time. This laser-based beaut will offer you infinite focus -- something we can vouch for having tried out the same technology integrated in a rifle -- which essentially means that no matter how much you twist or jerk the projector around, or how distant your projected surface is, the picture will remain in focus. An 848 x 480 resolution image can be scaled from less than six inches all the way up to 200, though you're most likely to stick with anything up to 30 in order to make the most of the 10 lumens brightness on offer. The contrast ratio is rated as being greater than 5,000:1 while the battery will last you up to two hours on a charge. The wallet damage is $549 for the standard edition, but the limited edition teased above jumps all the way to $999, for which you'll get a personalized splash screen, LE insignia, a certificate of authenticity, a VGA dock and some other trinkets. Come on, it has lasers inside, it was never gonna be cheap!

Microvision's Show WX laser pico projector available to buy today, will ship March 24 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AAXA intros L1 laser pico projector / media player

Donald Melanson — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:14:00 EST

It's claim on the title of "world's first laser pico projector" might be a tad dubious, but AAXA Technologies' new L1 projector may just be the first to hit the market, with it set to start shipping on February 12th. Like other laser-based models, this one promises to always stay in focus, and even project images (800 x 600, up to 50-inches) on curved surfaces with ease. Somewhat uniquely, you'll also get a built-in media player, along with the usual USB port, memory card slot, and composite and VGA inputs to actually pump media through the device. Just don't expect the same low, low price seen on some other pico projectors lately, as this one's set to run a hefty $599.

AAXA intros L1 laser pico projector / media player originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microvision laser projection gun hands-on

Vlad Savov — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:16:00 EST

You didn't think CES was over, did you? Saving a true gamer's delight for last, we went along to meet with Microvision's reps today and were introduced to its PicoP laser projector and gun gaming peripheral. The projection tech employed here is unique, as each pixel (848 x 480 resolution) is itself an RGB laser reflecting off a mirror which flips 60 times a second. What that results in is a permanently focused projection, no matter how much you wiggle, jiggle or maneuver the projector. The whole thing fits within 6cc and was designed to be embedded into phones. We snapped a few pics of the standalone projector and then moved on to the rifle gaming controller. Come along after the break to check out our hell-raising skills on video, as well as some more in-depth impressions of the hardware.

Gallery: Microvision laser projection gun hands-on

Continue reading Microvision laser projection gun hands-on

Microvision laser projection gun hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Light Blue Optics unveils Light Touch: a 10-inch touchscreen pico projector based on lasers (video)

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:37:00 EST

They promised us a device in 2010 and sure enough, Light Blue Optics just announced Light Touch. As the name implies, LBO's product is a laser projector that turns any flat surface into an auto-focused and image-adjusted 10-inch touchscreen with WVGA resolution thanks to its laser- (not LED) based pico projection engine dubbed HLP (holographic laser projection) and infrared touch-sensing system. Light Touch runs Adobe Flash Lite 3.1 and includes WiFi and Bluetooth radios, 2GB of on-board storage (with microSD slot for up to 32GB more), and a battery capable of about 2-hours worth of runtime. We'll be getting up close and personal with the mini projector here at CES so until then, feast your eyes on the simulated demo and usage scenarios after the break.

Continue reading Light Blue Optics unveils Light Touch: a 10-inch touchscreen pico projector based on lasers (video)

Light Blue Optics unveils Light Touch: a 10-inch touchscreen pico projector based on lasers (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green laser for microprojectors developed, microraves soon to follow

Laura June — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:40:00 EST

Japanese company QD Laser has apparently developed a green laser which could up the ante in the HD pico projector market. The laser -- which is just 5.6mm in diameter and outputs a 532 nanometer, pure green light -- was shown off as a working prototype at CEATEC. QD says their green laser (the hardest type to make) will be well-suited to gadgets like cellphones and laptops because of its low power consumption and wide operating temperature. Mass production is seemingly planned for next year, with the hopes that each little laser will run $10, cheaper than the one currently available, which is manufactured by Corning. You know what we always say: rave on.

Filed under: Displays

Green laser for microprojectors developed, microraves soon to follow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microvision's laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC (video)

Darren Murph — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:18:00 EST

Microvision just struck a deal to start shipping its PicoP-based SHOW WX pico projector in Asia, and while the size may not blow any minds, the image quality just might. With a native 848 x 480 resolution (WVGA), this one pumps out more pixels than pretty much any other pico projector on the market today, and with enough darkness, it can actually spit out an image that's around 100-inches in size. We stopped by the company's booth here at CEATEC in order to have a look at what makes the world's first laser-based pico PJ so special, and we can honestly say the picture was pretty stunning (considering the device we're talking about). We got a lecture on just how amazing the innards actually are (hear for yourself after the break), but it's the estimated $500 price tag and 2010 US ship date that really had us intrigued.

The company also confessed that it's toiling away in an effort to miniaturize its PicoP engine even further, and while it wouldn't come right out and say it, we got the feeling that it was jonesing to get that very device into all sorts of other gizmos in the near future. In the meanwhile, you can expect the SHOW WX to ship with support for pretty much any input via a composite adapter, while an iPod / iPhone connector is apt to be bundled in as well. There's also a 3.5 millimeter audio passthrough, 10 lumens of brightness, a 60Hz refresh rate (trust us, the lines you see in the video aren't seen by the naked eye) and a built-in battery good for two hours on a charge. Oh, and this thing doesn't even have to refocus as you move it closer and farther from the wall -- pretty swank!

Gallery: Microvision's laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC

Gallery: Microvision SHOW WX press images

Continue reading Microvision's laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC (video)

Filed under: Displays, Portable Video

Microvision's laser-based SHOW WX pico projector shines at CEATEC (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Light Blue Optics' touch-based laser projector hitting manufacturers in Q4 -- will look nothing like this image

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:09:00 EST

While the global economic crisis has swept aside a number of early innovators in mobile technology, Light Blue Optics finds itself flush with cash this morning. Having secured $15 million in funding, the UK outfit now plans to have its laser-based pico projection engine to OEMs by the end of the year; a move that should result in a tiny retail projector sometime in the first half of 2010. Why should you care? Well, unlike all those LED-based pico projectors now saturating the market, laser-based projectors offer more vivid colors and the ability to auto-focus that mobile image as it's moved about. Even better, LBO has touch-enabled the system allowing users to interact with the projected display. A second generation engine about the size of a sugar cube will ultimately allow the technology to be embedded in mobile devices like cellphones as we're already seeing with LED-based engines. Since the supplied image above totally misrepresents the first generation device, we've embedded a video of the tech, first published in March, after the break. Skip to the 3-minute mark if you want to avoid the pitch.

[Via PicoProjector-info]

Continue reading Light Blue Optics' touch-based laser projector hitting manufacturers in Q4 -- will look nothing like this image

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Light Blue Optics' touch-based laser projector hitting manufacturers in Q4 -- will look nothing like this image originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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