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Apple may add micro projectors to iPhones, iPod touches

With the storage capacities of iPhones and iPod touches on the rise, consumers are likely to begin carrying more and more of their digital video content on the devices, and could soon have the capability to project those videos for friends and family just about anywhere.

According to Taiwanese rumor site DigiTimes, Foxlink, a subsidiary of Apple's iPhone manufacturing partner Foxconn, is currently developing its own micro projector technology that should begin making its way into integrated devices as early as this year.

The publication cited sources "with Taiwan handset makers" who say that tier I smartphone makers such Nokia, Samsung and Apple, "reportedly all plan to launch handsets with built-in micro projectors by the end of this year."

Micro projects are an emerging technology for small form-factor handheld devices comprised of miniaturized hardware and software that can project digital images onto any nearby viewing surface, such as a wall of projection screen.

They're positioned at devices like the iPhone and iPod touch, which are sometimes too tiny to accommodate interfaces for connecting directly to external displays or televisions.

Several third parties have already taken to developing standalone micro projectors that can attach to existing iPhones and iPods, like Microvision's portable PicoP projector that was profiled by AppleInsider when it drew crowds at January's Macworld Expo.

Still a prototype at the time, device worked with either a composite video or RGB video input at standard definition WVGA video resolution (848x480), optionally displayed in a 16:9 wide aspect ratio. The battery was rated for 2 hours, and the focus-free unit was shown projecting a picture up to about 100 inches diagonal.

A brief video demonstration of the device in action can be seen above.



51 Comments

alectheking 15 Years · 206 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider

With the storage capacities of iPhones and iPod touches on the rise, consumers are likely to begin carrying more and more of their digital video content on the devices, and could soon have the capability to project those videos for friends and family just about anywhere.

According to Taiwanese rumor site DigiTimes, Foxlink, a subsidiary of Apple's iPhone manufacturing partner Foxconn, is currently developing its own micro projector technology that should begin making its way into integrated devices as early as this year.

The publication cited sources "with Taiwan handset makers" who say that tier I smartphone makers such Nokia, Samsung and Apple, "reportedly all plan to launch handsets with built-in micro projectors by the end of this year."

Micro projects are an emerging technology for small form-factor handheld devices comprised of miniaturized hardware and software that can project digital images onto any nearby viewing surface, such as a wall of projection screen.

They're positioned at devices like the iPhone and iPod touch, which are sometimes too tiny to accommodate interfaces for connecting directly to external displays or televisions.

Several third parties have already taken to developing standalone micro projectors that can attach to existing iPhones and iPods, like Microvision's portable PicoP projector that was profiled by AppleInsider when it drew crowds at January's Macworld Expo.

Still a prototype at the time, device worked with either a composite video or RGB video input at standard definition WVGA video resolution (848x480), optionally displayed in a 16:9 wide aspect ratio. The battery was rated for 2 hours, and the focus-free unit was shown projecting a picture up to about 100 inches diagonal.A brief video demonstration of the device in action can be seen above.

yay first whoa yay im first ur not lucky me!

hiimamac 16 Years · 543 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by alectheking

yay first whoa yay im first ur not lucky me!

THreat. That said there exist technology to shoot display if keyboards onto any surface using lasers. I see no reason why we would nit be able to show video except battery life. This will requir it being plugged in. Hopefully the will take the wireless charging from the ore and add it to the iPhone.

One piece of fiber is really all we need. Time to dump the plugs.

mcloki 20 Years · 86 comments

Nice technology. I can see Apple making an iMac without the monitor, just a projecting keyboard.

str1f3 16 Years · 572 comments

I'd rather see a flash for the camera first but wouldn't mind having it.

anantksundaram 18 Years · 20391 comments

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcloki

Nice technology. I can see Apple making an iMac without the monitor, just a projecting keyboard.

Brilliant observation. Both the cost savings and the environmental benefits would be huge.

Of course, others could likely beat Apple to this.....