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iPhone as Projector: Should Apple Pass or Adopt This New Technology?

Posted August 31, 2007 5:00 AM by Gregory Ng
Categories: Accessories Opinions 


A recent article in Conde Nast Portfolio talks about a new technology that is about to hit the mobile device market. Microvision, a company in Redmond, Washington is developing a tiny laser that will allow mobile devices like phones and MP3 players to project video content from the device. This laser is powerful enough to project video on a wall the size of a 60” television screen.

Apparently, Motorola has already inked a deal with Microvision to bring it to a phone and the company is also preparing to launch a compact projector that will be able to plug into a video iPod or other phone.

On Tuesday, I wrote about the benefits of Apple developing a mobile version of Keynote and how it could help Apple’s penetration in business markets. The ability to then project the presentation from the phone itself could put the iPhone in a very lucrative position for business users.

Home use of a projector-enabled iPhone has tons of potential too. You now have a portable theatre system everywhere you take your phone (which is basiclaly everywhere).

Do you think Apple should push for this type of technology in the iPhone or do you think this is better served as a standalone accessory?

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Comments

  1. depends on the quality, but combine this with with your mobile keynote idea? talk about blowing peoples minds at board meetings. business customers would be on board like that.

    this would solve the problem of creating beautiful keynote presentations, but there is no mac at work to run it on, u could cart around your laptop, but sometimes there systems are alreay all wired but and u cant screw with them.

    Posted by clarkbar6 on August 31, 2007 6:55 AM

  2. Yes.  I think this is a brilliant idea and would reward Apple with a substantial share of the mobile market if they were to execute this projector-device as soon as possible.  This would be great for kids, but I think it’s also interesting to think of how the projector might play into laptops as well.  If there’s no need for a large screen, and keyboards can be infrared, then the only part remaining in the portability debate is how much actual computer is portable!  Go Apple!

    Posted by Ian on August 31, 2007 1:44 PM

  3. Without a doubt they should build it in!  It would be so cool to be able to project videos you want to share with your friends, or as the above said, blow the minds of your business prospect with a beautiful keynote presentation!  But if it’s left up to a stand alone product, that would be something else a person would have to carry around.  Heck, I have a hard time remembering to bring my bluetooth headset with me, and I quite often don’t….which is very annoying because I love using it.

    Build it in.  Then you would always have it when you want it.

    Posted by Jasmine on August 31, 2007 2:57 PM

  4. Microvision’s PicoP will be a disruptive addition to the personal electronics industry within 3 years.

    Should Apple add this to their Ipods and Iphones?  They might not have a choice when a major competitor(MOT)already has a development deal for R&D.  Remember, the MOT Q has Windows Mobile which includes pwpt. The earlier references regarding amazing people/clients with truly portable presentations will apply.

    Apple has to maintain a healthy double digit growth rate to even think about maintaining their $120B market valuation. If they are the brilliant innovators of tech then they already know that projection of video content is the future.

    Microvision.com.  Check it out!
    DWB

    Posted by DWB on August 31, 2007 5:19 PM

  5. As a long-term shareholder of MVIS, even before their development of the PicoP, I’ve been patiently waiting for this deal.  I truly hope it is implemented.  Will benefit the shares of both MVIS and AAPL (which I also own).  Good Stuff!

    Posted by Bonemesly on September 1, 2007 6:43 PM

  6. While cruising to Mesa Verde, my friend and I wanted to project the NOAA movies and Wunderground Nexrad onto our paper maps from our iPhone!  I have a variety of beautiful large maps.  I can only now image having that kind of high-res data available AND superimposing my choice of Visible, Infrared, Water vapor, Nexrad, etc. KEY INGREDIENTS: PicoP, iPhone and your imagination!

    Apple I’ve believed in you since 1987, GO FOR PicoP! PS. get that Flash working!

    Posted by Molly on September 3, 2007 7:57 AM

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  9. Right now it’s eye candy to implement a projector into a phone since it requires add on attachments to actually make it work, you might as well buy a micro projector. But I must say that this is defiantly innovative technology and that’s what Apple usually is. BUT Apple tends to want and see what consumers want, then refine it and make it desirable to have. My best guess is that Apple won’t incorporate it into it’s iphone for at least for a while. When the technology develops more and proves to be a little more portable, Apple may step in.

    Apple’s best bet right now would be to allow for video output for keynotes, videos, and so on. Later, another wise move would be for an input device of keyboard and mouse to link with monitor out to provide all in one slim based computers that also fit into a mobile world during the day, and games, research and so on at night.

    One things for sure though - Apple knows what they’re doing in interest of their customers.

    Posted by Scotty The Crazy Tech Guy on March 14, 2008 7:28 PM

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