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Samsung Galaxy Beam: world's first Android projector phone on sale in July
Ah, here we go, Samsung's other cellphone with an integrated projector just got an official launch date. The Galaxy Beam (codename: Halo) with its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED display is now slated to hit Singapore in July. That means that the European and broader launch across Asia should be just around the corner if Samsung's claims from Feburary hold true. At launch, the world's first Android phone with a built-in DLP pico projector will be served version 2.1 of Google's confectionary delight. Specwise, we're talking 7.2Mbps HSPA data on 900/1900/2100MHz and quad-band GSM/EDGE, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11n WiFi, an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with flash (front-facing VGA) and HD video recording, A-GPS, FM Radio, and an 1,800mAH battery. Memory is confusingly listed as "4Gb + 2Gb + 1Gb + 16Gb MoviNAND" made worse by no mention of microSD though it was definitely there when we went hands-on with Beam at Mobile World Congress. Specs after the break.
Samsung shocks the pico projector world with SP-H03
Samsung's just rolled out its first ever pico projector, the SP-H03. The little thing boasts 1GB of internal memory, a microSD slot, and projects WVGA video at 30 lumens, a 1 watt speaker, and supports both open and proprietary codecs. It's got a battery life of about two hours and weighs in a 6 ounces. Other than that, it's a pretty standard looking pico affair, and it's available now for $300.
LuminAR robot finally shows us what pico projectors were meant for (video)
Still looking for an excuse to buy a pico projector? We might just have the perfect thing. LuminAR, a project of MIT student Natan Linder, is something like a sentient desk lamp of the sort that will make any dedicated Pixar fan's heart skip a beat. It can follow a user's actions, using a camera to detect gestures and beam information down to augment whichever reality they're currently experiencing. Interestingly, the whole thing is built into a bulb socket, meaning it could be thrown into any lamp you like -- if you can do without the whole automatic motion aspect. It's based on what looks to be a Microsoft Lifecam Show webcam and what is certainly a Microvision Show WX projector, which is both focus and care free. There's a demo video after the break but, sadly, little hope that this thing will be replacing your current desktop lamp any time soon.
DigiLife I-One e-reader smuggles along integrated projector, gets white glove treatment at Computex
Believe it or not, DigiLife has actually been cranking out wares in the consumer electronics space for awhile now. Trouble is, there aren't too many people that seem to care here in the States. All that has a chance to change at IFA this Fall, as that's where DigiLife will be revealing a price and ship date for its impending I-One e-reader / projector hybrid device. Shown this week at Computex for the first time, the multifaceted slate is billed as an e-book reader, with WiFi, a 10.4-inch LCD display and a rather sharp looking design to go along with it. But unlike every other alternative out there, this one actually has an integrated projector and multimedia player, though it's difficult to say what the final resolution will be (we're betting on VGA at best). Betcha never thought to project the person you're video chatting with upside the wall, did you? On second thought, don't answer that. %Gallery-94386%
BeamBox Evolution R-2 -- one of the brightest little guys around
BeamBox has just outed its Revolution R-2 pico projector, and while nothing much that could be termed revolutionary has happened in the world of tiny projectors as of late, the R-2 certainly has one thing going for it: it's super bright. That's right, the Revolution R-2 boasts a 40 lumen LCoS chip, which means it should stand out where most picos are much less -- and often around 20 lumens. Other than that it will produce a 75-inch projection with a 200:1 contrast ratio, it's got 1GB of storage plus a microSD slot, A/V inputs and a Mini USB port, plus an integrated media player. The Revolution R-2 is available now for £250 (around $360).
DIYer combines iPhone 3GS with Show WX for pico projected gaming bliss (video)
The Moject project proved that smartphones and pico projectors do indeed have a thing for one another, but Ethan Janson has taken things one step further with an unnamed contraption that holds his iPhone 3GS, a Microvision Show WX and an "ancient" point-and-shoot camera. Put simply, the handmade thingamajig allows him to play his iPhone games on a far larger screen, and since the Show WX is continually in focus regardless of distance from walls, there's never a blurring issue when flailing about in order to control the gameplay. The full skinny is down there in the source, but shortcut takers can head straight past the break for a video. [Thanks, Ethan]
Laser projector stuck to Wii Remote for faux 360-degree immersion
We can already see a hot new trend surfacing in the gaming hardware modding world: Hastily conceived designs featuring the handheld ShowWX laser projector. Yesterday, we saw what happens when the pint-sized display was adhered to an iPhone 3GS; today, we see how Nirav Patel managed to stick the projector (and a Spacepoint Fusion gyrometer) to a Zapper-equipped Wii Remote. The result is a somewhat disorienting 360-degree "virtual reality" display, which is just perfect for playing simple, open source first-person shooters with. Check out a video after the jump to see Patel's projectorgun in action. We'd hate to find ourselves on the business end of that bad boy. [Via Hack a Day]
Samsung goes display crazy: H03 pico projector, SyncMaster PX2370 LCD and more
Well, what do you know? Seems Samsung set up shop in the heart of London and threw itself a product introduction party! In case the company's new laptop and desktop options didn't tickle your fancy, Sammy's giving you a host of new display options as well. Kicking things off is the June-bound H03, which the company claims is the "world's brightest pico projector" with just 30 ANSI lumens -- too bad we've seen units with far more already. Moving on, there's the new SyncMaster PX2370 LED-backlit LCD monitor, offering up a 16:9 aspect ratio, a Touch of Color design, 2ms response time, VGA / DVI / HDMI inputs and a 1080p native resolution. Bringing up the rear is the 1,000 ANSI lumen LED-based SP-F10M projector and the SyncMaster MD230, the latter of which we saw toying with ATI's Eyefinity solution back at CES. Sadly, no concrete pricing details were made public, but you can peruse the respective press releases just beyond the break. Update: Samsung pinged us to clarify here -- the H03 can muster 30 ANSI lumens on AC power or battery, whereas the other guys dip below 30 when using battery power. Mystery solved.
Moject prototype combines pico projector, smartphone and motion gaming (video)
As if Sony's PlayStation Move, Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's Project Natal weren't evidence enough, we're here to inform you that motion gaming is here to stay... for awhile, anyway. One area where it hasn't quite taken over in full force is the mobile sector, but Dave & Adie are angling to change that. Their Moject (short for Motion Projection) project has led to a prototype device that straps onto an iPhone, providing a pico projector for the phone and using the handset's internal sensors to recognize movements. A demo title has also been crafted to demonstrate how it all works, and while the iPhone is obviously just the beginning of where this could go, you owe it to yourself to give the video (hosted just after the break) a look. And the jams aren't too harsh on the ears, either.
Samsung AMOLED Beam SPH-W9600 projector phone is not what we've been waiting for
Remember Samsung's impressive 3.7-inch Super AMOLED Beam projector phone running Andriod? This isn't it. Instead, Samsung is launching its far less impressive 3.3-inch AMOLED (what, no Super?) Beam SPH-W9600 we previewed back in January into its South Korean home. So yeah, it's the same 5 megapixeler with T-DMB TV, Microsoft Office and DivX codec support, and improved DLP pico projector that replaces last year's W7900. But if it's all the same to you Sammy, we'll be waiting for the true projector phone successor -- your Beam i8520, codenamed Halo -- said to be launching this summer.%Gallery-90467%
3M's PMP-packing MPro 150 pico projector gets a partially positive review (video)
The pico projectors just keep on coming, and now it's time for the 3M MPro 150 to shine. It caught our eye back at CES thanks to its ability to play media, presentations, and even display spreadsheets all from internal memory -- no PC required. Now that ability has been given a thorough evaluation by PicoProjector-info.com and, while the overall performance of the projector was found to be good, it didn't quite deliver thanks to a VGA resolution. That simply didn't push enough pixels to render much business content, and the onboard media compatibility options disappointed as well. Build quality was said to be high and image quality good, but overall this one doesn't seem to live up to its $350 pricetag. You can see the thing in action after the break, or hit the source link for all the review details.
Mystery buyer orders $8.5 million in Microvision PicoP Laser Display Engines, planning world's greatest rave?
Remember Microvision's little announcement last week that it would be selling its PicoP Laser Display Engine to OEMs, hoping they'd find ways to stuff the thing into little gadgets of all sorts? The company has apparently been doing just that with aplomb, already scoring an $8.5 million order from one top secret client that will "embed the PicoP engine inside a high-end mobile media player for release in late 2010." Unfortunately, this fancy-pants media player isn't set to be announced until just before release, meaning we have many months of delicious speculation ahead of us. Projector Zune? Screenless iPod? Yet another pico projector you have no interest in buying? The possibilities are endless.
Optoma PK201 pico projector now shipping, PK301 up for pre-order
We're still holding out for the faraway 1080p pico projector, but for those who need a display in their pocket before 2023, Optoma's latest aren't half bad options. The PK201 and PK301, both of which made their debut at CES earlier in the year, now have product pages at Amazon, with the former being listed as in stock ($299.99) and shipping this very moment. The other guy is up for pre-order at $399.99, though you'll get an 854 x 480 resolution output with either. 'Course, you may want to hold out for the 301 and its 50 lumens of brightness if the 201's 20 lumens seem a little weak, but hey, the ball's in your court now, vaquero.
Microvision lets others sample its PicoP Laser Display Engine
We're guessing that if you haven't bought a pico projector by now it isn't because they're just too big, but Microvision is doing its part to help make 'em smaller nonetheless. The company has begun initial shipments of its PicoP Laser Display Engine, found inside the Show WX, for other companies who want to make their own projectors -- or rifles. The circuitry that's half the size of the tech in competing pico projectors while still managing WVGA (848 x 480) resolution and a 5000:1 contrast ratio. No word on cost but we're guessing there's a discount if you buy in bulk, and shipping ought to be cheap.
Apple patent application offers more evidence of projector plans
They're easily missed about the mass of Apple patent applications revealed each year, but the company has filed a few regarding projectors (pico projectors, specifically), and the latest one to be published has now offered a few more details on how they might all fit together. That application boasts the rather broad title of "projector system and methods," and basically describes a setup that would let various devices (including a laptop or phone) remotely interact with a projector, which could itself be built into a device like a phone. To do that, each device in question would be equipped with a sensor of some sort that would be able to receive data from the projector, and even allow you to do fairly advanced things like calibrate the projector remotely. The application further goes on to detail how the system could accommodate multiple clients -- letting folks overlay multiple images on a single presentation, for example -- and it would apparently be able to receive and broadcast audio between multiple clients as well. Does this mean you'll soon be able to control your pico projector-equipped iPhone from your sensor-equipped MacBook? Probably not, but it may not be quite as far fetched as some of Apple's other patent applications.
Aiptek PocketCinema Z20 packs pico projector and 720p camcorder
Watch out, Flip, because here's one tough guy that you don't wanna mess with. Joining Aiptek's family of pocket camcorders is the PocketCinema Z20 -- a fine mix of 720p camera (courtesy of a 5 megapixel sensor) and pico projector of an unknown resolution, powered by a two-hour battery (which we'll believe when we see it). Users will be spoiled by a long list of features: 2GB of internal memory, microSDHC expansion, built-in 2.4-inch LCD, HDMI output, composite video input (iPod adapter included) and remote control. Want it? You can pre-order now for €349 or about $476 ahead of its mid-April launch. Meanwhile, enjoy Aiptek's cheesy promotion video after the break. %Gallery-87611%
Microvision's Show WX laser pico projector available to buy today, will ship March 24
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!
Acer rights its wrongs with K11 pico projector
Why hello there, Acer. Not only does this K11 DLP pico projector look sexier than its predecessor, but it's also been given some nice internal enhancements. Starting with display performance: the K11's resolution remains about the same at 858 x 600, but it's twice as bright at 200 lumens (while maintaining the same 20,000-hour lamp life) and has twice as much contrast ratio at 2,000:1. As for connectivity this machine now packs an HDMI socket (along with the usual VGA and composite AV ports) as well as an SDHC card reader and a USB port for opening music, video and picture files. Even with all these extra goodies, the K11's only managed to gain 0.13 pounds (reaching 1.34 pounds) while sporting a smaller body. All we need now is a price, launch date, a few friends and a destination for our road trip. Oh, and some content. Update: apparently an Acer representative hinted that the K11 will be available for about €500 ($685; translated page shows "$" instead of "€"). Yikes. Anyway, vielen Dank, Felix Fdot!
Skinput: because touchscreens never felt right anyway (video)
Microsoft looks to be on a bit of a hot streak with innovations lately, and though this here project hasn't received much hype (yet), we'd say it's one of the most ingenious user interface concepts we've come across. Skinput is based on an armband straddling the wearer's biceps and detecting the small vibrations generated when the user taps the skin of his arm. Due to different bone densities, tissue mass and muscle size, unique acoustic signatures can be identified for particular parts of the arm or hand (including fingers), allowing people to literally control their gear by touching themselves. The added pico projector is there just for convenience, and we can totally see ourselves using this by simply memorizing the five input points (current maximum, 95.5 percent accuracy), particularly since the band works even if you're running. Make your way past the break to see Tetris played in a whole new way.
AAXA L1 laser pico projector hands-on by Mr. Murkycam (video)
Oh, you haven't been introduced to Mr. Murkycam? He's the darker, more mysterious cousin of Mr. Blurrycam; his services occasionally called upon to show off products like the new AAXA L1 laser pico projector. The device just started shipping and, according to the video, this is the first one captured in the wild. AAXA promises perfect focus on any surface, even curved ones, and while it's a bit difficult to tell from the video we've embedded below it certainly looks to do a decent job. The L1 also features built-in media player functionality and even includes a 2GB thumb drive for you to load up with whatever you like before slotting it in the side. Photo and PowerPoint performance seems a bit mediocre, and sadly the video doesn't show the thing playing any footage, but it does look like it works as advertised -- as it should for that $599 MSRP.
