Mobile Phone Projectors

These days, cell phones are getting tricked out with all the capabilities of computers. We can email, watch and shoot video, text, and surf the web. Newly supported video formats will stream at flawlessly smooth rates. The coming of WiMax to the U.S. will mean enhanced mobile internet connectivity. But still, handsets have a major drawback–screen size. While mobile video is widely used in Asia, many in the US–where “bigger is better” rules–are still skeptical about it.

However, solutions are in the works. Yanko Designs reports that an Italian designer has developed a conceptual phone that can project its screen onto any flat surface. Stefano Casanova’s superlight mini-projector is integrated into the Window-based phone’s LCD screen. Just flip the screen down to activate it.

Microvision, Inc, based in Washington State, is also developing small projectors that can be attached to or built into a cellphone, turning its screen into a 60-inch display. According to a piece in today’s Wall Street Journal, the company expects to begin selling cellphones with the technology beginning in 2009 and the attachment versions as soon as next year.

With these coming innovations, the third screen may grow to replace the first two altogether. Who needs a bulky computer or TV when you can project everything from the palm of your hand?

Casanova Industrial Design

Microvision