Mobile Phone Projector Takes Big Step Closer February 13, 2008

Read more Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Home Entertainment , Mobile Devices , Mobile phones , Movies , Projector , Smartphones

We covered Texas Instruments’ (TI's) phone-based DLP Pico projector last year, including this cool, short video of it in action, but until now it’s been a prototype. That’s all changed now as TI announced production availability of its miniature DLP Pico chipset at the 2008 Mobile World Congress Show in Barcelona.

The chipset will go on sale this summer and will herald the arrival - most likely in 2009 - of mobile phones with fully-functioning DLP-based projectors.

"Texas Instruments is making headway in an untapped market and appears to be forging a leadership position. We expect projection within handset devices to start appearing in 2009, in a market where significant volumes are expected over the next five years." said Bill Coggshall, founder of independent projector market research experts Pacific Media Associates. "This is an exciting time for the projection industry and TI is leading the way.”

Not only will these things be handy for the odd, impromptu business presentation but couple this with a decent multimedia phone crammed with movies or music videos, Wi-Fi and – like the new Nokia N96 – in-built TV receiver, and you’re looking at a whole cinema and more in your pocket.-Martin Lynch

[DLP]

projector mobile phone video geek