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PicoPro: A laser projector about the size of an iPhone 6 Plus
Several times in the past, TUAW has done reviews of pico projectors - projectors that are so small that they can be slipped into a pocket on a backpack or in a briefcase. Designed to make presentations on the road less burdensome, pico projectors have always had one Achilles Heel - the visual quality of the image they project. A new projector from Celluon called the PicoPro (US$349) aims to bring high resolution and contrast, long battery life, and noise-free operation to tiny projects. The PicoPro was introduced to the world at CES 2015, and TUAW is one of the first sites to get a hands-on look at the new device. Specifications Dimensions: 6 x 3 x .5 inches (152.4 x 76.2 x 12.7 mm) Weight: 6.7 ounces (189.9 grams) Resolution: 1920 x 720p (16:9 aspect ratio) Interface: HDMI/Miracast/DLNA Battery life: 2 hours for wireless, 3+ hours for cabled Contrast Ratio: 80,000 to 1 Design Design-wise, the PicoPro is a tiny box that's smaller in length and width than an iPhone 6 Plus. It's divided into two "sections", one that contains the actual projector and the other containing the various ports (HDMI, micro-USB for charging, headphone). There's no need to focus the PicoPro, as it uses lasers to project the image and has infinite focus. It focuses as sharply an arms-length away from a wall as it does from 10 feet away. The PicoPro comes with a small carrying pouch, and with iOS devices you'll need to supply your own digital AV adapter to connect to the HDMI cable. Unfortunately, PicoPro doesn't support AirPlay, so all iOS and Mac connections will be through the HDMI cable. For those who are fans of this site who use other mobile platforms, a slightly less expensive version called PicoAir is available for $299 that works only with the wireless Miracast and DLNA interfaces. It's a stylish little device, and one you won't be embarrassed to pull out of your briefcase. Function With any projector, the proof is in the viewing. Just how bright is the image, and is it easily readable? Can the projector be used in a bright room, or does it require near-darkness. How much noise does it make? And does it do a good job of projecting Keynote and PowerPoint presentations? To test the PicoPro, I connected it to an iPhone 6 Plus using the Apple Lightning to HDMI connector and an included HDMI cable. My test documents were a number of Keynote presentations that I use while teaching an iOS class. Holding the PicoPro in my hand and wandering around my home office to find "targets", I was able to clearly see the bright image from the projector on a variety of surfaces. Your best bet will probably still be to project onto a reflective screen in a slightly-darkened room, but I was able to project slides onto a textured ceiling in daylight and clearly read all of the text. Even on a very saturated blue wall with some daylight coming through windows, the text on my slides was very readable. The color reproduction of the PicoPro is incredibly good, and the image is sharp from edge to edge. The fact that you never have to focus is worth the price of admission. I don't know how many times I've watched as a hot projector has slowly gone out of focus. There are some additional positives - it's absolutely cool in operation and creates no sound at all. No more raising your voice to be heard over the scream of a cooling fan! Following is a video of the PicoPro from "Eli the Computer Guy" at CES; note that the flickering is due to filming the projection with a digital camera - in reality, the image shows virtually no flicker unless you're moving it around. Conclusion Up to this point, I haven't been impressed with any of the pico projectors I've seen. However, that has changed with the Celluon PicoPro. The image quality and brightness out of this tiny box is stellar, and to think that it does it all without making a sound or getting hot. There are no expensive bulbs to burn out (those often cost just as much as the PicoPro itself!), and using an iPhone, an adapter, and this projector makes for a featherweight presentation tool. My only negative is that the device doesn't support AirPlay. The non-HDMI, wireless-only version of this project will sell for $299, and it would be awesome if Celluon would support iOS - the choice of enterprises everywhere. We were also unable to get word on a shipping date and retail outlets for the PicoPro. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Engadget giveaway: win a Grand X Max+ smartphone or Spro smart projector courtesy of ZTE!
We were all set to offer ZTE's Spro smart projector as the first giveaway of 2015 all by its lonesome, but the pot has been sweetened with a handset that's being launched right here at CES. One lucky winner will still receive the portable Android-powered Spro that hit CES last year, which streams content up to 1080p through Google Play apps and projects images up to 120-inches. We'll also have a second winner who'll score a brand-new ZTE Grand X Max+ smartphone, which is being shown off this week in Las Vegas. This Cricket Wireless handset is the third 4G LTE offering from the company and has an expansive 6-inch, 720p display, along with a 13-megapixel rear shooter and 5-megapixels of front-facing selfie power. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of these two ZTE devices and starting the New Year off properly. Winners: congratulations to Ohad I. of Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Jim G. of Anchorage, AK.
Innoio Innocube pico projector: a tiny handful of video
Just like an iPhone crams a roomful of devices into a pocketable device, miniaturization of electronics has now made it possible to create a battery-powered, cube-shaped pico projector just 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) on a side. From an unexpected source -- South Korean mobile provider SK Telecom -- the device is being marketed as the Innoio Innocube (around US$299) and you should start seeing availability in US retail outlets and online stores in the next few months. For now, a trip to the Innoio website displays an Innocube that is not the one you see resting in my palm. Design Even though I had been told that the Innocube was small, I wasn't prepared for taking it out of the box. It truly looks more like a tiny scale model of a Borg ship than a projector. One side of the cube is glass and encloses the projector lens, one side has a power button and MHL connector, and another contains a micro-USB port for charging and a focus wheel. %Gallery-189968% The Innocube certainly doesn't weigh much -- just 5.5 ounces (156 grams). The company literature says it's 129 grams, but I'm wondering if that is without the rubberized cover. It contains a battery that charges up in about three hours and that is designed to run the device for up to two hours. The device pumps out 35 ANSI lumens of brightness, which isn't all that bright compared to most full-sized projectors but quite common with pico projectors. Resolution is limited to 640 x 480 pixels, so don't expect 1080p HD from the Innocube. Innoio has added a rubberized bumper and backing to the unit to protect it from bumps and falls, which is smart considering that the target audience for the device is ... kids. Yep, let the kids take the projector and an iPad into a darkened room, and they can begin showing movies or displaying artwork on any wall or ceiling. More about that market choice later... What's driving the pico projector is a miniscule Texas Instruments DLP chip containing millions of micromirrors. TI and Innoio provided a few sample chips, and it's amazing what those diminutive circuits can produce. Functionality Since I tested a pre-production unit from SK Telecom, there were a few oddities like labels that were stuck onto the unit instead of silkscreened directly onto the aluminum. Charging was fast, and when the Innocube was at full capacity a small charging LED that had been glowing red switched to green. To use the Innocube with a recent MacBook Pro with an HDMI port is a piece of cake; you just plug it directly into the HDMI port with the included HDMI to MHL connector and the MacBook takes care of the rest. I found the image to be surprisingly clear and bright, even when aiming the projector at a wall across from my office that was further away than the recommended distance. When running, the project puts out a little sound -- there's a hiss from a cooling fan that wouldn't be audible in most classrooms or offices, but was noticeable in my very quiet office. It's a totally acceptable noise level and nothing compared to what most projectors put out. I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity and color accuracy of the Innocube; watching some YouTube videos and a presentation or two, there were some issues with the low resolution (most of my presentations are designed for HD), but everything worked just fine. To use the Innocube with an iOS device, you're going to need to buy a separate Apple AV Adapter ($39 for 30-pin devices, $49 for Lightning devices), so be sure to factor that into your buying decision. Considering the birthplace of the device -- South Korea -- and the prevalence of MHL-equipped Samsung mobile devices there, it's not surprising that Innoio chose to leave the AV adapter up to the buyer. Surprisingly, I don't have an AV Adapter in my bag of tricks, so I chose to just use the MacBook Pro for my testing. Conclusion If you or your kids have a need for a tiny and impressively bright projector, the Innoio Innocube should definitely be on your list of projectors to check out. However, I think it's a bit misguided for Innoio to be targeting kids for a $300 projector (more if you add in the cost of an adapter for an iOS device). For presentations on the road by the parents of those kids, however, this would be a great portable projector for use in small, dark conference rooms where it can truly shine. Pros Incredibly lightweight and small Image quality and brightness was surprisingly good for a pico projector Can be used with HDMI-equipped MacBook Pros right out of the box Good battery life and fast charging time Pricing is in line with that of other pico projectors Cons Requires a separate Apple AV Adapter for use with an iOS device Quite expensive for the market Innoio is targeting -- kids Many standard DLP projectors in the 3000 lumen range and better resolution are available at about the same price Who is it for? Anyone who needs a rugged and tiny projector who is willing to trade lower maximum resolution (640 x 480) and brightness (35 ANSI lumens) for an incredible amount of portability
Texas Instruments brings sci-fi tech to life with DLP (hands-on video)
We've come across a number of DLP-based pico projectors over the years and while these products are getting smaller, brighter and higher resolution, it's the integration with other devices that's really captured our imagination. Samsung's Galaxy Beam, which we reviewed last year, merges a 15-lumen nHD (640x360) DLP-based pico projector with a Galaxy S Advance. More recently at CES 2013, Texas Instruments announced its new Tilt & Roll Pixel chip architecture and demoed a handful of other DLP-equipped products live on our stage, including 3M's Streaming Projector and Smart Devices' U7 tablet. The company recently invited us to play with some of these devices and to show us other applications in areas such as 3D printing, 3D scanning, optical research, medical imaging and even automotive. Some of this DLP-equipped tech, like the Interactive Center Console, shows where we're headed in the near future -- other products, like Christie's VeinViewer Flex, exist today but remind us of something right out of science-fiction. Take a look at our galleries below, then join us after the break for our hands-on video and more info on these devices.
Live from the Engadget CES Stage: an interview with Texas Instruments' Frank Moizio (update: video embedded)
Love tiny projectors? Boy have we got the conversation for you! We'll be speaking with Texas Instruments business manager, DLP Pico Projection, Frank Moizio, who will be showing off new devices featuring the technology and discussing the company's new architecture and the outlook for pico projectors in the future. January 9, 2013 12:30 PM EST Check out our full CES 2013 stage schedule here! Update: video embedded
DLP unveils Tilt & Roll Pixel chip architecture, promises brighter projectors with better resolution
Pico projectors are slowly getting better and better as the years go by, and DLP's latest chip architecture announced at CES aims to raise the bar once more. The platform, which the company is dubbing Tilt & Roll Pixel, is the same size as the current generation, but it promises that products will be able to offer twice the resolution, 30 percent higher brightness and 50 percent increase in energy efficiency. Given our fondness for products like the Samsung Galaxy Beam, we're pretty excited to see how good movies look on our living room wall. Don't get too anxious, however -- the new platform is currently sampling to manufacturers and products are expected to arrive "as early as the end of the year." We have the press release for your viewing pleasure past the break. Update: DLP emailed us with an updated press release to confirm the name of the new architecture. We were also informed that chips using WVGA resolution will be slightly smaller, shrinking from 0.3 inches to 0.2. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
3M, Roku team up for Streaming Projector to ship this November for $299
3M's partnered up with Roku to provide a "big-screen" cinema experience from the comfort of your home. Announced today at a joint event, the DLP-based Streaming Projector is a 4.3 x 4.2 x 2.0 inch palm-sized device that can project images in WVGA resolution up to 120-inches across walls or any other smooth surface of your choosing with a brightness of 60 lumens. The 1lb pod-like gadget has a battery life rated at just under three hours -- a little more than the running time of most blockbuster movies -- and also features a 3.5mm headphone jack for audio out, in addition to an inbuilt speaker. Of course, you need media to pair with it and that's where Roku's included streaming stick comes in handy, delivering an array of commercial content over dual-band WiFi. It's set to ship sometime this November for $299 as an Amazon exclusive.
Panasonic's 7.5mm-thick, 100-lumen laser projector module claims world's thinnest title
While scanning through Panasonic's booth at CEATEC 2012, we couldn't help but notice a prototype of its world's slimmest 100-lumen laser projector module (or OIU aka optical imaging unit, as the company prefers), which can beam out an 800 x 480 picture. It's not clear when exactly we'll see this 7.5mm-thick device getting into consumers' hands, but there's certainly room for improvement for the image quality. Likewise, the scan-type OIU (resolution at about 400 x 300) next to the slim projector is far from ready for mass consumption, as the company is hoping to actually shrink it down and integrate it into mobile phones. That said, the fact that this technology doesn't require focusing makes it worth the wait -- the light doesn't go through an LCD filter like ordinary projectors do, and instead, it's a single laser beam scanning out the picture, hence the name. Also shown along side were the optical bay drive pico projector that's already being offered by Fujitsu, as well as the PJ-SJ25U 854 × 480 DLP pico projector which was released in August this year. While the latter's image quality was rather impressive even under the strong ambient lighting, we struggle to appreciate the ¥56,800 or $730 price tag. Anyhow, pricing is just a matter time, as always. Update: The thickness of the slim laser OIU was originally mistyped as "75mm." This has now been corrected. Many apologies.
Pioneer Carrozzeria AR heads-up display hands-on (video)
Pioneer has been showing off versions of its AR HUD for some time now, but here at CEATEC 2012 the company is showing off a production version of the thing. It is, as its name implies, an augmented reality navigation unit that shows you where to go using a front-facing camera and a variety of systems. A projector built into the ceiling shines an overlay onto the road ahead, using a piece of plastic that flips down in front of the driver's eyes. It's a cool effect that, unfortunately, we weren't able to capture on photo or video, so you'll just have to trust us. But, more photogenic is the rendition that's created on the slide-out display of the head unit itself, which you can see in the video after the break. Additionally, the system creates a sort of targeting reticule that appears over nearby cars, letting you know when you're perhaps driving a little too close. (That, of course, is when you have to switch from missiles to guns.) The head unit recently became available in Japan, and while there's no word on a release date or price in the US, hopefully it won't be long off.
Alpha Range iOS game requires a pico projector and laser pointer, we go hands-on (video)
Granted, a magical little smartphone is all the gadgetry most casual gaming fans require to get their fix, but when LaserVR's Travis Haagen popped by our informal meetup at Portland's Ground Kontrol to talk about Alpha Range, we couldn't help but be impressed by the project. The game has a classic Asteroids / Space Invaders feeling to it, but Alpha Range is more than just another bit of mobile nostalgia. For one thing, you're going to need a lot more than just your phone, including a projector (pico will do fine for your needs) and a tripod. You project the game field onto a the wall (in the case of Ground Kontrol, we taped up a few pieces of paper, which worked fine) and interact with objects using a laser point. When your iOS device is facing the wall, its camera monitors the field, using computer vision algorithms to detect your laser shots in real time, finally discovering a novel use for laser points that doesn't involve annoying rock bands or cats. Hitting the circular enemies will cause them to vaporize or perform other functions like opening up a black hole, depending on their color. The game was pretty responsive and incredibly addictive -- in fact, we were a bit bummed when we finally had to put the laser point down. Such fun isn't cheap, however -- it'll run you $8 from iTunes, on top of the price of all the accessories involved it getting it off the ground. Still, it's nice to see an innovative take like this on a classic gaming scenario. We've got a video of the Star Trek: The Next Generation-inspired game after the jump.
Sanwa's iPhone pico projector gets spec bump, trebled brightness (video)
Sanwa has revamped the PRJ011 iPhone charging sleeve-cum-pico-projector we saw back in January. The new PRJ016 packs a 1,850mAh battery that can recharge your handset up to 80 percent and also power the projection mode if you want to enjoy a movie, or a spreadsheet, blown onto your wall. The 35 lumens DLP device has three times the brightness of its predecessor, can project for 120 minutes on a full tank and has a maximum display size of 60-inches, focusing from a distance of up to six feet. It's available in Japan from tomorrow, setting you back ¥23,800 ($305), and in the meantime there's a Chiaroscuro video waiting after the break if you'd like to know more.
NC State's new efficient pico projector raises hopes for smartphone cinema
A team at North Carolina State University has developed a new liquid crystal projector that could spell the end of bulky and noisy cinema gear. Conventional tech passes unpolarized light through a filter, but the process is so inefficient that nearly 50 percent of the energy is wasted just keeping things cool. Fortunately, the Wolfpack and ImagineOptix filter claims to be 90 percent efficient -- meaning that future projectors could be far sleeker. It's also a good sign for future smartphone pico projectors, although we're not sure how the owners of our local theater will feel when we start undercutting them with just a phone and a white wall.
Samsung Galaxy Beam and Galaxy Ace 2 resurface, get proper launches in Singapore and Taiwan
Samsung has been quiet on the subject of its second-generation Galaxy Beam and the Galaxy Ace 2 ever since they showed together in Barcelona this February, but the two just reemerged as close buddies for an initial launch in East Asia. The Galaxy Beam receives the grandest introduction, as it's coming to Singapore on July 7th followed by a more nebulous mid-July release for Taiwan residents. Those craving tiny, dual-core TouchWiz will have no choice but to flock to Singapore and pick up an Ace 2 at the end of the month. There's no word on where else they'll go on their respective world tours, although the cash outlay is strictly in the middle of the pack: we're looking at S$648 or NT$16,900 ($513 or $566) off-contract for a Galaxy Beam, while its more diminutive cousin carries a S$438 ($352) price tag on similar terms.
Sony, Sumitomo push laser projectors forward with a new, more powerful green laser diode
As cool as lasers are, so far there are precious few commercially available display devices available that use them. That may change with this new green semiconductor laser diode announced by Sony and Sumitomo, capable of the brightness necessary to replace the more expensive light sources used to fill in the middle of the RGB setup. According to the two companies, it's the world's first one capable of over 100mW power at 530nm, which they think will make it a fit for both advanced projectors and compact light projectors. Check after the break for more details on how the technology came to be -- drawing heavily on Sumitomo's production techniques and Sony's GaN laser technology developed with Blu-ray -- we'll let you know when there's a LaserVue or REDray setup priced for general consumption.
Dausen iPhone pico projector battery case at Computex 2012 (hands-on video)
It's not the first iPhone 4/4S pico projector battery case we've come across here at Engadget, but we spotted this little number at Computex 2012 and just couldn't resist sharing it with you. What makes this accessory a bit more unique is that it incorporates the latest in DLP technology from Texas Instruments. As such, it's capable of projecting a 640x360-pixel image up to 70 inches across with 1000:1 contrast ratio. The 2200mAh battery lasts about 3 hours on a charge an can even top off your iPhone in a pinch. Additional features include a built-in speaker powered by a 0.5W audio amplifier. We spent a few minutes using the pico projector and while it works pretty much as advertised, it clearly struggled with the harsh lighting conditions of the show floor. Stay tuned for pricing and availability, but don't miss our hands-on gallery below and our demo video after the break.%Gallery-157640%
The Theory uses tiny MicroVision projector to concoct even tinier police chase (video)
Looking like the ghost of Hot Wheels fantasies past, a new video short has beamed out of the minds at The Theory -- a production team that just happens to have a MicroVision pico projector. Called "Speed of Light", the mixed media film was made by projecting shots onto walls, floors and objects like laptops and then filming it with "no CGI trickery" added later, according to the team. Featuring a miniature Ford GT chased by a police car, helicopters, missiles and explosions, the pursuit was filmed with a Canon 5D MkII and HD MiniCam. To see if the little crook gets away with it, peel out to the video after the break.
Laser VR: Projector + computer vision + laser pointer = fun!
On paper, Laser VR sounds like one of the worst product ideas ever: you need to buy an iPhone, a laser pointer, and a Pico projector just to get started, but darn if we here at TUAW aren't drooling over the prospect. An iPhone provides both the graphics generation piece, which is piped through a cable to a small projection system (low end projection systems now start around US$125), and the computer vision system that aligns itself to the projected image and interprets the laser pointer position for gaming. As the following proof-of-concept video shows, while niche, the prospect of gaming on your wall could be super-cool.
PoP Video peripheral turns iPod touches and iPhones into pico projectors for $99
While it may not be the first time we've come across such a concept, this PoP Video add-on is certainly quite different than, say, WooWee's Cinemin Swivel -- and significantly cheaper, too. The PoP Video pairs up with iPod touches (3rd / 4th generation) and iPhones (4 / 4S) via Apple's proprietary 30-pin connector, essentially turning your device into an unorthodox pico projector. According to PoP's site, the 3.5 ounce peripheral's capable of 960 x 540 video output and can give you up to two hours of "playtime" on a single charge -- achieved by way of micro-USB. It all wouldn't be worth it without the free iOS app, though, which lets folks tinker with settings and do what it's intended to do: project videos, pics as well as browsing within Safari. The $99 PoP Video is up for pre-order now, and you can get a quick glimpse of the accessory in action just past the break.
Hands-on with AT&T Labs prototypes: ShadowPuppets and haptic steering wheel
We're not done with the AT&T prototypes yet. After putting our rears in the seat of a Porsche 911 and turning our questionable English into even more questionable Spanish, Ma Bell gave us a glimpse at some super rough devices fresh from the labs. The first one we got our hands on, really didn't need us to put our hands on it. ShadowPuppets sticks a webcam to a pico projector (literally... with gaffers tape) to create a touchless "multitouch" interface for your phone. Rather than have friends gather around your tiny iPhone display or force a person to awkwardly reach across you and tap on your handset, this concept lets anyone simply cast shadows to control the interface. It's not terribly dissimilar from a number of other projects out there, except it's specifically geared at turning smartphone interaction into a social experience. The demo required the assistance of an Alienware laptop, and the pinch to zoom function was a little wonky to say the least. Still, it was pretty easy to see how this might prove useful in daily life. The other concept on hand was the haptic feedback steering wheel the company dreamed up with help from Carnegie Mellon. While the research may sound compelling, the device it self couldn't be any rougher around the edges... literally. The design consisted of roughly cut chunks of foam taped (this time with packing tape, we believe) haphazardly to a game controller. On each piece of foam was a tiny vibrating actuator connected to an Arduino that dangled below in a vaguely menacing tangle of cables. The sensation as the vibrations travel in circular patterns (clockwise to indicate a right turn, counter clockwise for left), was strange to say the least. But, as the cycles sped up and the turn approached we grew less uncomfortable with the feeling of a vibrating steering wheel. And we actually found the increasing tempo an easier way to discern when a turn was approaching than hearing a robotic voice shout out, "turn left in 500 feet." Check out the gallery above for some not so glamorous shots of the future of tech.
Samsung Galaxy Beam crosses paths with FCC, sports 3G connectivity for AT&T
The FCC comes across many smartphones in its daily routine, but it's hardly an everyday occurrence for one of those handsets to rock a miniature projector. That's the claim to fame of the Samsung Galaxy Beam, which just made its way through the regulatory body with full 3G support for AT&T's 1900MHz and 850MHz bands. We were first introduced to this updated version of the original Galaxy Beam at Mobile World Congress, and for a quick refresher, the Android 2.3 device packs a dual-core 1GHz CPU, 768MB of RAM, a 4-inch WVGA display and a projector that'll toss 50-inch imagery onto the wall. Naturally, whether AT&T chooses to sell the smartphone is another consideration entirely, but this certification will keep users in proper standing with the feds, and that's a good thing.
