The Pocket-Sized Projector Has Arrived 220
mallumax writes "David Pogue of New York Times has reviewed the Pico, which is a pocket projector from Optoma. The review is quite entertaining (Pogue projects the images on to a plane's ceiling, leaving passengers baffled) and detailed. The highlights are: It is a pocket-sized projector which runs on batteries and can project images and videos from a variety of sources like iPhone, iPod and DVD players with a 480x320px resolution, with a maximum screen size of 65 inches at 8.5 feet. It uses a non-replaceable 10,000 hour LED lamp and a DLP chip from Texas Instruments. The battery lasts for 90 minutes and can be recharged through USB or with its own power cord. The device weighs 115g and comes with an inbuilt speaker which is practically useless. If you want one, it will set you back by $430."
Comment removed (Score:3, Insightful)
'nuf said (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:does size matter? (Score:5, Insightful)
Being able to carry one in your laptop bag for impromptu meetings is a key use. Having one to project the latest episode of [insert favorite show here] from your cell phone is one of those cool applications you buy it for, even though you'll probably never use it that way.
BTW - not every presentation occurs where there is a mounted projector. In the architecture field, for example, we often give presentations to smaller clients (churches, non-profits, individuals) in class or meeting rooms with nothing but a table, some chairs, and four white walls. These people don't have their "dream buildings" yet...which is why we're working with them.
Re:The lamp is non-replaceable? (Score:5, Insightful)
Nice (Score:3, Insightful)
Its early for the technology (Score:5, Insightful)
for those around here that remember 1998, the Rio PMP300 was the 2nd but the most important MP3 player that came on the market. Not exactly ripping it up at 32 MB of RAM but an important introduction nonetheless and ultimately led to Creative and then Apple following with their MP3 players. Given that, in 10 years we may all have them on our key chains next to the USB terabyte drives.
Re:The lamp is non-replaceable? (Score:2, Insightful)
Power Point? Who the hell is going to be using this thing for Power Point?
Sheesh, it fits in a your pants pocket. So does a video iPod. Add porn to this lovely mixture. Do I have to say anything more?
Re:The lamp is non-replaceable? (Score:5, Insightful)
It sure is replaceable! Only $430!
The $430 price is only for new adopters. It'll be $19.95 by the time you have to replace it.
Re:does size matter? (Score:3, Insightful)
I suspect the opposite is true, and it will find acceptance mainly as a display for iPods, netbooks, etc. As a replacement for business or home theater projector, it is mostly just less bright, since the size usually doesn't matter (most conference rooms have a projector available anyways). But screen size is a real limiting factor in making smaller iPods, laptops, and PDAs - they are totally size-limited by I/O (screens and keyboards).
9 lumens. 9. (Score:4, Insightful)
When it goes on sale in two weeks, it will give parents a completely portable backseat-of-the-minivan movie theater for the kids.
Sure, provided you're driving at night, or with all the windows painted over.
Re:3M did it first. (Score:3, Insightful)
Not to mention it's cheaper too.
I thought he did...
Re:Baffled (Score:5, Insightful)
They still are.
Re:The lamp is non-replaceable? (Score:3, Insightful)
They should make the battery replaceable. I think the battery will die long before the LED dies off.