Mobile phones with built-in mini projectors
will launch later this year, according to 3M, which gave PC Pro a
hands-on demonstration of the technology at CES 2008. The projector has
a brightness of around 8-10 lumens, and is capable of displaying an
image of up to 50 inches.

Mobile phones with built-in mini projectors will launch later this year, according to 3M, which gave PC Pro a hands-on demonstration of the the technology at CES 2008.

3M’s LED illuminated projector is currently a prototype handheld
device, that displays photos or films stored on the unit’s SD or
Mini-SD card.

The projector has a brightness of around 8-10 lumens, and is capable
of displaying an image of up to 50in, although 3M’s spokesperson Greg
Roberts told us that, with perfect lighting conditions, it’s possible
to squeeze a 60in screen out of the projector.

The projector’s VGA resolution image is certainly impressive. Text from PowerPoint presentations

is rendered sharply, photos
are reproduced with lifelike skintones and colours, and little detail
is sacrificed. Bright images did look slightly washed out, but the
garish lights of the CES showfloor made it hard to block out ambient
light in 3M’s tiny booth, so we’re prepared to give it the benefit of
the doubt.

Roberts claims the projector can run for two hours continuously
using a standard mobile phone battery, although you’re hardly likely to
watch a film on such a device. Instead, 3M envisages it will be used
for impromptu business presentations, or for quickly sharing photos or
short videos with others.

Roberts says 3M is in talks with "several leading phone and camera
manufacturers" although wouldn’t reveal names, but claims products
could arrive on the market before the end of the year.

Rival Texas Instruments also has a DLP mobile projector in its labs

Via PC Pro