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Half-Inch Thick Mobile Projector With VGA Resolution is Available Now From 3M
Posted by Sean Fallon at 9:20 AM on January 5, 2008
3M has thrown its hat (albeit a little late) into the mobile projector ring with the likes of Texas Instruments and Microvision with a new ultra-compact, LED-illuminated projection engine that can project a 40-inch or larger image at VGA resolution. The device is intended to be integrated into a wide array mobile technologies —and cellphones are undoubtedly at the top of that list. Fortunately, we won't have to wait to long for the technology to arrive. The device is already available and 3M is planning on partnering with various electronics manufacturers to release products in early 2008. [Press Release]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
apt94jesse
Posted 9:55 PM 4/1/08
we really need to come up with a standard for mobile peripheral connections. instead of hoping all of these badass toys are integrated into the devices, what if it fit into an iphone or n95 or laptop or psp connection.
The manufacturers would probably make more money selling them to consumer rather than mobile companies, and consumers would be more likely to buy devices at moderate intervals than they are to keep adding $100s of dollars to their mobile devices.
You could have mics, mini projectors, game controls, etc. Better yet, just make it a mini-usb form factor since that's pretty ubiquitous these days.
apt94jesse
Munch
Posted 9:28 PM 4/1/08
I hope I don't confuse it with my micro recorder. It would get me into a lot of trouble if I accidentally projected an image onto a stripper. Come to think of it, it would get me into some trouble if I projected anything onto a stripper.
Munch
doofusgumby
Posted 7:49 PM 4/1/08
I'll wait until it's integrated into the ipod touch.
or maybe the iphone when they support cdma and evdo rev.A. GSM sucks around here.
doofusgumby
EQC
Posted 7:24 PM 4/1/08
If they put this into phones, it can't cost much more than $100. Also, it can't consume more than a few watts.
Personally, I think:
1)make it widescreen.
2)increase the resolution to at least 720p.
3) keep it under about $200...
4) sell it as a stand-alone device
5) give it some standard video inputs (VGA, HDMI, etc).
buy it, pair it with a cable box or other external TV tuner/video source and a speaker system, and:
boom: instant 40" HDTV for $200 that consumes...what...maybe 10 Watts? So what if the picture isn't super bright and you have to turn the lights out when you project it on your bedroom/livingroom wall. It'll be the size of a deck of cards, and you can put it anywhere you want without having to think about your power bill.
EQC
Mandatory_Field
Posted 6:42 PM 4/1/08
Y'know, I really like the idea of all these micro- and pico etc. projectors, but something just occurred to me: People who are annoying enough to talk loudly on their cellphone in restaurants etc, are every bit as liable to annoy everyone in a restaurant (not just the poor target) with home movies of their kids....
Mandatory_Field
Palestina
Posted 6:05 PM 4/1/08
Cool! Now I can watch pron at the bathroom!
Palestina
o0adam0o
Posted 5:37 PM 4/1/08
Cant wait to see this thing in action! Hope to play with one soon.
o0adam0o
flame500
Posted 5:32 PM 4/1/08
I'm kinda disappointed that this one doesn't use RGB lasers
flame500
MagnoliaBoy
Posted 5:31 PM 4/1/08
Wow, I just had another nerdgasm. Thanks Giz, now pass me a tissue.
MagnoliaBoy
Serolf Divad
Posted 9:33 AM 5/1/08
Dude, I totally thought that was a picture of someone's ass when I first scrolled to it!
Serolf Divad
O-Z
Posted 11:40 AM 5/1/08
VGA resolution is an abused term. It refers a whole set of a different resolution and color depth combinations.
O-Z
dirtBIKEmods
Posted 4:27 AM 5/1/08
Incredible how they're able to shrink things down to micro sizes.
dirtBIKEmods
libelle47
Posted 7:06 PM 4/1/08
@Mandatory_Field: Gadgets provide a solution to this as well. Consider a Taser in tasteful designer colors :)
libelle47
gary_slamson.
Posted 6:00 PM 4/1/08
i want this so i can project porn from my cock.
gary_slamson.