Comments on: A high-quality image projector on your smartphone?

The technology isn't here yet, but microdisplays from Micron may soon make it possible to use smartphones to project high-quality images anytime, anywhere.

[myles taylor]

I'm not sure if the iPhone mention was just to get hits or because the author has an iPhone.

Very interesting technology and I'd love to see it. I think it'd be even more useful on a laptop though. Think about aiming your laptop at a surface and being able to have a massive display. I don't need a big display on my iPhone.

[Sam Papelbon]

i agree. it's written as if the iphone is the only device this will work on. although it doesn't surprise me that someone who gets excited at the prospect of projecting movies on tortillas would be enamored with something like the iphone.

[Perry_Clease]

"I'm not sure if the iPhone mention was just to get hits"

A few days ago there was a story on CNET about the Pre debuting in Europe. When I stopped following the story it had a total of 8 comments. Considering the number Pre comments in an iPhone story you would think that there would be more Pre fans commenting. In short you may be correct.

"or because the author has an iPhone."

Well at least he is writing about which something that he knows.

[dargon19888]

Oh help me Obi wan Kenobi...

Ok, look the micro projector will not create a large screen and trying to show it off a side of a tent isn't going to be realistic.

More realistic is if you want to project a 12-14" display in a remote area. Maybe a little larger, but the lamp technology can't do it and you're going to suck a lot of power from your devices.

Don't get me wrong, I think its an interesting technology, but it has a long way to go and it has nothing to do with your primary iPhone display. You actually need a larger display if you every want a surface area large enough for a functional QWERTY keyboard that real sized adults can use...

[3ligible]

Why wait for this technology when you can have it now? I've had my AAXA P1 pico projector ( http://www.aaxatech.com/products/kp190.htm ) for almost 6 months and it offers even better specs and features than what was discussed in this article.

Even better... you don't need to attach an iPhone, iPod, Zune, etc to provide a signal to the projector. The AAXA P1 has a a built in media player that supports a crazy amount of formats (half of which I didn't even know existed) and 1GB of memory so you can have all your videos and pictures stored and played back directly on the projector itself.

Welcome to 2009.

[rsucre]

The use of "iPhone" in the title is misleading. The iPhone is not used as a projector, but as the source, and is not the only device that can be used as such. Not nice...

[pjhenry1216]

It actually is misleading. I thought this was going to be something specifically related to the iPhone. Its only related in that its a device thats small. I don't mind it being in the article, but it was a bit much to be in the headline.

[KenDoyle]

re: "it doesn't surprise me that someone who gets excited at the prospect of projecting movies on tortillas would be enamored with something like the iphone."
You're missing the point... This type of technology will lead to elimination of computer displays, televisions, etc.
When you can project your content anywhere, anytime, any size, then physical limitations are minimized.
Just imagine if you wanted a 32" computer screen instead of your 19" rigid form factor LCD screen... just move the micro-projector further from the "screen" (projection surface) and poof!

[pjhenry1216]

I doubt that will ever occur. There's still a difference between a digital display and a projector. I still prefer an LCD HDTV over a HDTV Projector. The image "quality" may be quite similar, but the actual "feel" is quite different. Plus, just moving a projector further back doesn't change the resolution, only the image size, and therefore you lose quality as you do so. Don't get me wrong, this will be an amazing technology, but I do not see it replacing actual displays. Maybe in the far future, there will be something that will be able to replace displays in such a way, but this is not that technology. This is still simple projection. Also, I'll find it difficult to work on a computer screen where the device will have to be situated about where my head is to get the image to display properly. This isn't for closeup displays, but something from a distance like presentations and movies.

[SergeM256]

Elimination of displays? I don't think so. To use a projector yuo need a surface to project to - not just any surface but a perfectly white and smooth surface if you expect some decent quality - are you going to carry special projector's screen for this purpose? Projectors require source of very bright light, making them hot, energy-consuming, and working well only in dark room.

[SergeM256]

By the way, we are not talking about a totally new technology, only about reducing size of existing devices. Desktop size projectors are widely available and for home users it, probably, doesn't make much difference if it desktop or pocket size. I don't hear much about people using conventional projectors instead of computer monitors.
Who may need pocket-size micro-projector? Traveling salesman, perhaps.

[iesnes]

All technology you see today has been around for at least 20 years, usually because the military industrial complex keeps it secret until they find something that blows it away. The real result of this technology will not require any solid surface to project the image to. Think HOLOGRAM... your display will be projected into thin air, any distance and size you want it to be. So not only will you have a much cooler display, but it will be 3D

[KenDoyle]

I agree with most of your comments, except, resolution can be changed via video driver/software.
However, you are limiting this "type" of technology to today's technology limitations. While today's limitations support your comments, tomorrow developments will nullify them. Best illustrated by IBM's famous comment: "Why would anyone want a computer in their home?"
The "holy grail" of display is 3D/holographic. This "type" of technology will lead the industry in that direction... such as 180 degree screens.
Look past today (and your observations of it) to see tomorrow.

[mrobmsu]

I hardly think anyone here is being a Luddite--just pointing out limitations with the current technology. We are all sure that amazing things are in the future--but a simple story like this one is not the Holy Grail. No need to be snooty.

[KenDoyle]

Sorry if I came off as snooty. I did not mean to give the "Luddite" impression.
To make my point more simply: This is a step forward and not worthy of recriminations. Just as
Apple starter computers (and the others that preceded it) seemed useless or of limited value to the common man/woman, it has become a transforming concept. Display/monitor change may be a minor factor, but it may pave the way for new form factors.

[iesnes]

Jimmy Page performed at a Led Zeppelin concert in Chicago, around 1974 or 75. He used holographic technology to project an image of himself on stage. He was standing there, took a step to his left, and suddenly a "twin" of himself appeared where he was standing. Over 30 years ago... Yeah, it was just a still image but it was quite astounding especially for those of us who were.. uh.. stoned ( : I'm surprised it's not already in your home, since lasers are about $1 now for a solid-state LED laser pointer, you would figure for $200 or $300 you could get a little laser array that could easily project a hologram of whatever digital input you put into it

[Tronman161]

The "Pomegranate Phone" (http://www.pomegranatephone.com/) was advertised with the capability.

Although the Pomegranate turned out to be a joke (of sorts), I find it interesting to see the tech actually being developed.

[pc_payne]

I would say it would be quite difficult to hold the smartphone steady enough so you would have to carry some tripod stand with you wherever you went :-)

[tech_crazy]

Why is this news? TI demoed VGA quality DLP on cellphones a few years back. And 10 lumens @1.1 W is efficient? Heck, even an incandescent bulb does better than that!

[popa pineapple]

I'm having trouble understanding who needs this technology. Most businesses that need to do video presentations can already do it, albeit at a fairly hefty price. There might be a small market with the general public, but it strikes me that people would rather look at a small screen than find or erect a large one. Color accuracy and geometric fidelity is probably more important than size with most people. Which is easiest: finding or erecting a flat surface that won't create spacial distortions and ruin color balance, or simply watching a smaller image on a screen?

What we really need is a screenless , perhaps holographic, projector. Help me now Obi-wan.

[puterhead]

I think the small seperate box they used for the demo would sell very well as it is. Compact, with its own battery so its not being powered by the smart phone. I would buy one of these now as it would have made my work musch easier over the last couple of years.

Example:

I work for a industrial control and automation company. We work mainly in water plants, both municiple and industrial. I often visit customers plants to discuss planned expansions or modernization projects. We look at the site or system for a short time to get perspective, then turn around and go to lunch to discuss it in detail. ( they all want the free lunch more than the discussion). I can't tell you how many times i've been in a booth with four people, food on the table, and had to try to get a laptop out to show some design specs or review PDF's of blueprints etc. My smartphone could easily do the job with this device displaying it on the wall of the booth and everyone being able to view it at once instead of spinning the laptop around. use a browser to call up a product that I would recommend over what they are looking at and all without having to clear a spot on the table for a laptop. Priceless to me and I am sure a lot of other people. If it can run for say 2hrs on a charge and use a cell phone charger in the car between stops and fit in a cell phone holder on my belt it would be perfect for me. actually more so than building it right into the phone as you could use it with your laptop or cell as needed.

[puterhead]

I would like to add to my previous post that bluetooth to get rid of the wires and allow for picture and sound would actually be the perfect device for me.

[Pishkado]

The main significance of this type of technology isn't showing movies on camping trips. It's removing one of the two main limitations to using a smartphone as a serious computer: the small display. (The other is the keyboard.) In terms of computing power, today's smartphones are approximately on a par with a 2002 PC, which most of us found quite adequate at the time. And with applications increasingly running in the cloud, or at least over the Web, we don't need someone to develop a full-fledged, phone-based word processor or whatever.

[SergeM256]

I would bet on LCD eye-glasses for to solve this small-screen dilemma. You put on special eye-glasses and images are displayed inside eye-glasses, imitating monitor in from of you. Images may cover only part of field of view so that user could see his environment as well.
That is a future of technology, not large-screen but micro-screen.

[wshun0]

@SergeM256: You cannot watch movie or photos together with other friends using LCD eye-glasses, can you?

[Daddio2009]

WOW. I want one, now. Just give me a device with 128 GB storage and the vidchip! Would pay $500 for it.

[yolanda_bernice]

I have one of these little 3M projectors. We use it for watching movies on a projection screen, getting a better look at images on my DSLR camera, sharing videos from my camcorder, and as a 2nd screen on my laptop in a pinch. As a home theatre projector it's a bit weak but still gives us a bigger screen than our 32" lcd tv. Something about the feel of the projection also enhances the special feel of the movie, more like a real theatre. With the 5.1 surround sound of our amp system we find it quite pleasing. I think it's a mistake to focus solely on marketing to tech companies, the home market is very much ready for these things. People I've shown it to love it and the price point, for a projector, is quite fair, although not cheap. My only complaint is the lumens are still a bit low for all-purpose work. However, with comparable video projectors being in the thousands and large units with expensive bulbs, this thing is a delight. I'd love to have it built into my laptop (with a swivel so I can aim where I like) and other similar devices.

[mahurshi]

Very cool. Now... if only I could get the battery to last till the end of my 4 slide powerpoint presentation..... :-)

[professionaladventurer]

My uncle (a high tech machinist, not an engineer) has been working on this type of FLCOS tech (or rather for companies that are working on it) for over 10 years. He has a 80" TV at home made using this technology. It's pretty cool, but has some ways to go.

[Norseman]

It seems like some smartphone features are approaching "ridiculous". This is one of them.

[Dlist61]

Check out http://www.microvision.com/ you'll most likely will see these in phones by the end of the year or an anouncement as to what phones they will be in. JMHO.

[G|Net]

There was little need to mention the iPhone in this article; if smartphones do indeed start including this feature, I'll be willing to bet Apple will be the last to include it. The Blackberry, perhaps, will be one of the first, but most likely some of the Windows Mobile smartphones, as projection has been usually looked at as a "business" feature, not a consumer one, and this seems to be to be a feature that will be touted first to the business-type crowd.

I can't imagine Steve Jobs & co. envisioning many people showing movies on the wall with their iPhone, but more than that, I can't imagine that most people would WANT to give up their iPhone for a whole feature-length movie and have it sitting there motionless on the table for that lont - they can't pick it up and check their messages without interrupting the movie! Would you be willing to do that on a regular basis? ("Here kids, take my iPhone and watch 'Wall-E' for the next hour and a half"...)

This seems to be a PowerPoint users' dream. I predict that will be the primary market.

[Perry_Clease]

Let me guess, you are not an iPhone user, or even a Mac user.

[G|Net]

I'm both, actually. I just happen to be objective. :-)

[natmaxx]

This article suggests this will happen in the future.
But it was announced in January and has shipped in Korea.
Samsung unveils projector phone and PMP
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029453,49300549,00.htm
Found at CNET
"According to SlashGear, who got some hands-on time with both devices, one is a PMP called the MBP200, which features a TV tuner and supports various video files including DivX and Xvid. The other is a touchscreen smart phone with the horrific moniker 'Anycall Show'. Both devices use the Texas Instruments compact projector technology that's been kicking around for a few years, but up till now required a separate input.

Mini projectors on a mobile phone might sound like a bizarre concept, but it could be handy. Whether you're browsing the Web, watching a YouTube video or simply sharing photos, the ability to display them at a much larger size means they're more enjoyable and can be shared with more people. "

[man_in_la2000]

When will I have a Microwave in cell phone so that I can wam up hotpockets?????

[kingtrae79]

One step closer to being able to transmit those Death Star Plans properly.........

[gggg sssss]

cool. Heard the same thing from a RIM exec in January 2009. Solves teh problem of sharing without printing.

[straussaz]

Micron may be first in FLCOS micro-projectors, but TI's DLP projectors are already shipping in a Samsung cellphone, demonstrated during CES by TI and announced in Korea in January, 2009. I suspect that most of the power consumption is by the LEDs, not the imager.