The Kindle app for iOS was updated today with X-Ray functionality in tow, but that wasn’t the only thing getting an iOS update. Gmail for iOS was updated to version 2.0, with YouTube getting an update on iPhone 5 and iPad. In other words, it wasn’t a bad day if you’re an iOS user and you happen to be using some of the platform’s most popular apps. Netflix has signed a deal with Disney, but unfortunately for all of you Disney fans, that deal won’t go into effect until 2016 rolls around, so you’ve a while to wait.

Speaking of Netflix, we found out today that the PlayStation 3 has become the number one device for streaming Netflix, while the Fuhu nabi Jr has arrived with an aging Tegra 2 processor under the hood. The cool little Black Diamond III multi-sensory Bluetooth speaker launched today, while the LaCie d2 external hard drive has been re-released with USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt functionality. Toshiba announced its new Excite 10 SE 10-inch tablet today, while the Samsung S Pebble music player touched down in the United States.

Samsung also introduced a new Pico Projector for Galaxy devices today, HP has a new printer out in India that doubles as a hotspot, and we got word that Google I/O 2013 will be kicking off on May 15 with tickets going on sale early next year. Moshi has a new line of accessories for the iPhone 5 and the Retina MacBook Pro, while Apple delivered an update for the iWork suite that brings mobile/desktop compatibility with it. Google confirmed that it had one time looked into creating its own wireless network, and finally tonight, Chris Burns gives his review of Gmail 2.0 on iOS. That does it for tonight’s Evening Wrap-Up, enjoy the rest of your night folks!

The Samsung EAD-R10 mini-projector is currently available for sale in South Korea, and all you needs to do to get it up and running is connect a MHL-supported Galaxy device to the projector and then you’ll be off to the races, projecting images with up to 20ANSI lumens and an nHD resolution (640×360).

The projector accessory features a loudspeaker, a focus control button, HDMI-out, and a 1650mAh battery, with a price of around $220. The device is about as big as a Galaxy S III, and it’s only about a half of an inch think, so it can easily fit into a pocket for portability purposes. It also has a full-size HDMI-in port so you can also plug it into laptops and other devices.

The device promises two hours of non-stop projecting, and hopefully that’s true, since most movies are usually an hour and a half to two hours long. We’re not sure if this new accessory will be hitting other countries or not, but even if it did land in the US, we’re not sure if the device would really take off, especially considering the $200+ price tag.

[via Android Community]

Of course, with that low price tag, you aren’t going to be getting a lot of top-of-the-line features. The P300 has a native resolution of 1280×800, though it can upscale to 1080p resolution. The whole unit comes it at 5.9” x 3.9” x 1.6” and weighs just 1.3 pounds, so it’s quite portable, and it also features HMDI and USB ports, a microSD slot, composite video input, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

AAXA says that the P300 is capable of 300 peak lumens when its plugged in, but that goes down to 160 lumens when you’re running it off the battery. Speaking of the battery, AAXA says that we can expect 75 minutes of use from a single charge, and the triple RGB LED bulbs (which use Vibrant Color Technology) will last more than 15,000 hours. As you can see from the images in this post, the P300 comes with a color scheme of white and black.

So there you have it. The P300 certainly isn’t the best projector around, but it should get the job done for someone who is looking to pick up a projector on the cheap. You can order one now from AAXA’s website, but they won’t be shipping out to customers until October 26 – one week from today. Has the P300 caught your eye, or will you belooking elsewhere when it comes to purchasing a projector?

For your money you’ll be getting a 4-inch AMOLED screen with a 800×480 resolution, a dual-core Cortex A9 processor clocked at 1Ghz, 768MB of RAM, 8GB of storage, a five megapixel camera with 720p video recording, and a pico projector capable of outputting 640×360. It’s a bit chunky at 12.5mm, but when you take the projector into account plus the 2,000mAh battery, Samsung did a pretty good job of keeping the chassis reasonable.

The phone is also now shipping in the UK with the same specs for a slightly more agreeable price of £394.99 (~$541) from Expansys. Still, you’ll have to ready love the idea of a phone doubling as a projector before committing to such a device. Maybe think it a little bit more before hitting “Buy.”

[via Facebook/Engadget]

The Mobile Cinema I505 for the iPhone 4 and 4S is able to project movies or images for up to two hours without needing to be charged. When its built-in battery is connected, the iPhone can also be charged up to 80 percent so all the battery life isn’t sucked out of the phone while it’s working. Aiptek didn’t specify what kind of charging power the iPad will get from the Mobile Cimena I50D, but similar charging power during projection is expected.

Apple’s closed source developer code called for an app to be developed for the Mobile Cinema I50S and I50D to work, so “Aiptek Viewer” will be available for free with these projector models. No app will be needed for the Android projector to work. The Mobile Cinema A50P for Android should work with all Android devices that support the Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) interface.

Specific release dates and prices have yet to be been confirmed, but it looks like at least UK citizens can expect to see these projectors start rolling out this summer in July throughout September, starting with the I50S for iPhone 4 and 4S.

[via Inquirer]

The device will throw a 960×540 image, a nice improvement over the low resolutions you find on other products. While it plugs into the dock connector, it has its own internal battery that should be good for up to two hours of video playback. When you’re done, you can recharge it using a standard microUSB cable.

It’s compatible with the iPhone 4/4S, and third/fourth-generation iPod Touch. Price wise it’s relatively affordable at $99, with similar accessories commanding a higher price for a lower resolution image. Micron also offers a free app for the projector that will help you tweak the image as necessary. Careful though: there’s no internal speaker, and while the iPhone’s is better than average, you may want to output to something with a little more power to get decent sound.

No word yet on when the Pop Video projector will ship, but take a peek at the amazing promo video below in the meantime.

[via CNET]

The PicoPix 2480 will be able to throw a 120” (320cm) image with its 80 lumens LED bulb, although that will drop to 55 lumens when you’re relying on the internal battery. If you want to pipe some media to your projector, you have a couple of options. You could use the internal MP4 player to view videos from the 2GB internal storage and microSD/USB ports, rr you could rely on the traditional video hookups, which include HDMI, VGA, Component and Composite connections.

Natrually, you won’t be enjoying HD content with such a small form factor, but it’s not all bad news. The PicoPix 2480 has a 854×480 resolution, and a respectable contrast ratio of 1000:1, so it should be good enough for a quick spot of YouTube or last week’s episode of Mad Men. The battery is rated for up to 2 hours of playback.

The Philips PicoPix 2480 is available now in the UK, and can be purchased from retailers such as Currys and PC World. You’ll be able to buy it online from Dixons and John Lewis, and should set you back £279.99 (~$452).

The Acer C120 Pico Projector is available today, weights just 6 ounces, and will literally fit in the palm of your hand. Being powered by nothing but a USB cable, or optionally a power outlet this is as portable as they come. Acer has conveniently also made it so the C120 can be powered by the AC adapter that comes standard with all of their laptops.

The Acer C120 has a quick start bulb, and offers around 100 lumens of brightness. It’s worth noting that if you use the USB power option and not a power outlet, you’ll only get around 75, but that should still be plenty for a quick presentation or meeting. As you can see from the spec sheet above it offers a 1280 x 800 resolution, USB 3.0, and micro-USB.

You can get the all new mini-sized Acer C120 today from the Acer Store.

[via CNET]

The Galaxy Beam combines a mid-range Android smartphone with a tiny projector recessed into its top side. The lamp is 15 lumens – low by projector standards, but plenty bright enough to see in even moderate indoor light. The 640×480 image can be projected up to 50 inches, with a focus function built into the volume buttons on the side of the phone. The screen on the front is a 4-inch TFT – not huge by Android standards, but big enough. Speaking of Android, the now-outdated Gingerbread runs with TouchWiz on top and a 1.0Ghz dual-core processor underneath. The rear camera is five megapixels with a 1.4 front-megapixel front camera to boot.

The 2000mAh battery is massive by mid-range standards – the better to power the projector. Samsung claims that the lamp inside will last 20,000 hours, much longer than the standard two-year contract. This isn’t the first cell phone to cram a micro-projector into its case (not even the first Samsung cell phone to do so) but it is the first to bring Android along for the ride. And even with a lamp, lens and battery, the profile is still an impressive 12.5mm thin, about the same same size as the original Motorola DROID. Interested? Check out our hands-on look at the Galaxy Beam from Mobile World Congress.

[via GizmoCrave]

This device’s display is a 4-inch WVGA while the projector, again, runs at 640 x 480 up against your wall. You can use this device to project on to your ceiling, your wall, a gigantic screen outside your house, and more. The device runs a 5 megapixel AF camera on the back so you can capture fine videos to project from the projector, and the battery is a 2000mAh so you can project for as long as possible. The lamp has an LED life of 20,000 hours (essentially permanent) and the battery life is set to be improved while the device goes through its final design iterations.

The Samsung Galaxy Beam has a Ebony Gray tactile feeling non-slip back with a yellow band around the entire unit for a “youthful feel” for the entire experience. The entire unit is relatively light, has the ability to catch your eye from afar (in more ways than one) and will be coming to the market inside 2012. The projection quality is amongst the nicest we’ve seen for a projector this size. Videos look fabulous, there’s absolutely no flicker or break in the projection in any way, and the idea of projecting as a real-world use case suddenly seems like a real possibility for everyday life.

Once you project you’re able to manually refocus your image, and accessories are in the works – such as stands, for example, so you can make full use of your new projector smartphone in the wild. A fun bit of information here on projecting, too – if you hold the device flat, it’ll project the image in landscape, while if you hold the device diagonally, the image is in portrait. Again the software is not final when we’re getting to see it here, and such items as automatic keystone fixing are not going to be available at launch, but such improvements will be available at the upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. This device will be available in the second quarter of 2012 in Europe and no announcements have been made in regards to a USA launch.

Check out the rest of our Mobile World Congress 2012 coverage as well as all the hot Samsung action by heading to the [MWC 2012 portal] and the [Samsung portal] all this week!

Details in the official press release paint a picture of a mid-range Android phone with a projector crammed in for good measure. A 1.0Ghz dual-core processor runs Android Gingerbread on a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED screen. The device is surprisingly slim considering the hardware, with a 12.5mm profile. Though the 2000mAh battery is above average for a smartphone, there’s no telling how long it will last while projecting content via the top-mounted lens.

And speaking of the projector, it’s not the greatest a 15 lumens, but with something this small that’s hardly a point of contention. Samsung didn’t say what resolution could be projected, but an image as large as 50 inches can be created, presumably with some built-in adjustment tools.

There’s no word on pricing or availability, but a standard HSPA radio indicates that Samsung is looking for a reasonably wide distribution. The Galaxy Beam will be on display at Samsung’s booth, so we’ll make sure and swing by to check it out. Keep our Mobile World Congress portal open for the latest details.

First of all, the Shine’s image is displaying a full 720p resolution at 300 lumens. That doesn’t get anywhere near full-sized projectors, bu for pico projectors it’s hard to beat, with most alternatives at around the 800×600 range. The image can be displayed at up to 150 inches before losing definition. A mini-HDMI port expands to full size and a proprietary port becomes a full set of AV inputs, via a couple of included adapters.

The Shine can handle video from an attached USB drive via an input on the left side. A tiny speaker will provide some audio in a pinch, but outputting it via a headphone port is a better option. In the demonstration that Velocity Micro provided to us, the projector kept up with 720p content without a hitch. The interface is a little basic, but once the video gets going it’s shocking how good the picture is from such a small projector.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the Shine’s spec sheet is that it draws just 30 watts – for a pico projector displaying 300 lumens, that’s downright illuminating. Having a frame that’s only 4 inches long and 9 ounces doesn’t hurt either. Velocity Micro plans to bring out the Shine in the second quarter for around $400, with red and grey colors available at launch.

What sets the 3M MP220 apart from the rest isn’t that its fully portable and battery powered, or that it offers 2 hours of battery life. What’s important is they’ve managed to offer an impressive 50 lumens of brightness AND 2 hours of battery life in one compact and portable package. We recently reviewed the AAXA P4 that offered 80 lumens of brightness, and it was impressive but only lasts 70 minutes if you’re lucky.

The 3M MP220 has all the features we’ve come to expect from our pico projectors too. Offering 2GB of internal storage with option micro-SD for expanded storage, micro-USB, and plenty of AV and VGA inputs. Projecting all that across a 65″ screen and a WSVGA (1024 x 600) native resolution. The MP220 also comes equipped with stereo speakers, and a 50 lumen engine that lasts up to 20,000 hours all weighing under a pound.

Like we said above, it might not be the brightest or the smallest — but offering portability, quality, brightness, and that all important battery life all-in-one is the key difference here. The LED-lit navigation buttons were a nice edition as I’ve used a few in the past and trying to find the right button in the dark can be a challenge. The only con from my initial impressions is the lack of HDMI options — a feature many pico’s have been missing.

The 3M MP220 Mobile Pico Projector is slated for a late April launch and will come to market priced around the $479 mark. Expect a full SlashGear review soon!

The recently announced P4 from AAXA is a big step up from previous models such as the AAXA P2, and many similar priced projectors from the competition. Offering extremely crisp colors, great brightness, and being fully portable with a built-in battery makes this a perfect companion for any business minded individual.

Hardware

While many competing projectors might have better battery life its the 80 lumens of brightness and array of options that sets the P4 apart from the pack. Being labeled the “worlds brightest pico projector” gives it some big shoes to fill — and it didn’t disappoint.

The AAXA P4 Pico Projector is powered by a 750 MHz Windows CE mobile processor, and is plenty bright too. It gets an 80 lumen high-contrast optical engine by way of Texas Instruments DLP. It features AAXA’s vibrant color technology and the LED should last for up to 20,000 hours. Some of the other specs that make the P4 special include: 2GB of built-in memory, 1280×800 VGA input, micro-SD slot for extra storage (up to 32GB), composite video input, 1-watt stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, and even 720p video support.

Included with the projector AAXA has provided a mini tripod as well as your usual charging and USB cables. The box also provides a mini to full-sized USB, VGA and AV input and more. The included remote (as seen in the video below) is a nice touch but is extremely cheap and gives off a bad impression.

The actual projector itself is very durable and feels great. It’s covered in a soft-coat matte black design and all the ports and buttons are extremely durable. Nothing feels cheap about this premium projector — and it shouldn’t for $399. The buttons on top make navigation easy and simple but the remote is a much better option. I would love to have a better included remote but that’s just me.

AAXA P4 Pico Projector unboxing

Software

Now the software side of things will be completely based on the buyers overall needs and usage. With Windows CE 6.0 on board we have plenty of options with mobile applications. With Office Mobile, Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and tons of Windows CE based games the options are fairly open. With the P4 AAXA doesn’t recommend you enter Windows too much unless needed and has a basic overlay to keep things straightforward and simple.

Setup is basically non existent unless you need to use Windows CE apps. The standard media player for pictures, and video is simple to navigate — although is pretty bland. From the start screen you can stream any movies from internal or external storage within seconds, the input settings are easy to access and dead simple. Those needing to start presentations will need to launch Windows CE and that takes a bit longer with a warning you must agree to on every start-up seems extreme.

Performance

While I’ve only used a few cheaper and much dimmer projectors in the past, everything about this projector was impressive in terms of performance. The 80 lumen engine is extremely powerful and is by far the brightest portable projector I’ve seen to date. the 750 MHz processor churns out 720p video with ease and my demo shows some impressive output watching AVATAR on a good 40″ size. Fast forwarding through videos or presentations is extremely fluid and there seems to be zero stutter or lag. The only downside to the performance is only about 75 minutes of battery life. To make things worse there isn’t a notification or indicator and once the battery is up you get lights out — no warning.

I can explain performance but instead I’ll just let you all watch the hands-on video demonstration. I start off showing the basic UI in a fully lit room before turning out the lights. The 80 lumens keeps things bright enough that a dark room isn’t required — but sure makes it nice. You’ll be able to use in a lit room with zero problems should the situation present itself.

AAXA P4 video demonstration with light/dark room

As you can see from the video preview the output is extremely bright and impressive, even from a good 6 ft away from the wall. The manual focus makes things very easy for quick adjustments and changes. From the AVATAR scenes in the clip to my Modern Warfare 3 trailer screenshot below you can clearly see just how great the colors are. Thanks to AAXA’s vibrant color technology the colors are exactly that — vibrant.

Wrap-Up

I’ve seen this projector in action for over 2 weeks now. I used it to stream a few clips while visiting family for my extended holiday vacation and everyone was pleasantly surprised by the sound and image output. With 1 watt stereo sound its nothing special but gets the job done. You wouldn’t expect such an incredible bright and vivid picture from this small pocket-able unit — but it does impress.

Battery life is rated for 75 minutes of usage but while outputting 720p video that time dropped significantly and it lasted around 60 minutes for me. While that isn’t very long, completely battery powered is the key here. Being small and weighing under a pound, being fully portable and battery powered makes this perfect for business situations where a full fledged projector isn’t possible. To conduct a full presentation with this quality all on the go with no wires is what sets this apart from the others. For those needing a bigger, longer lasting device for those weekly earnings reports AAXA also has some larger micro projectors to suite all needs.

For a fun toy the pricing is a bit steep but for the on-the-go businessman or professional it should find a place easily in your laptop bag of gear.

The AAXA P4 Pico Projector runs for a pretty penny at around $399 but it’s currently on sale for $339 for a limited time. Get your own today by clicking here.

Many pico projectors or too dim or weak, or don’t have long batteries that last through an entire presentation. Yes there are much brighter options available but not portable and battery-powered. This is one of the smallest and most portable projectors around while offering great brightness and a battery that should last through an entire presentation. With the AAXA P4 all you need is your laptop and the projector and you can take your presentation anywhere you go.

The AAXA P4 Pico Projector is powered by a 750MHz Windows CE mobile processor, and is plenty bright too. It gets an 80 lumen high-contrast optical engine by way of Texas Instruments DLP. It features AAXA’s vibrant color technology and the LED should last for 15,000 hours. Some of the other specs that make the P4 special include: 2GB of built-in memory, 1280×800 VGA input, microSD slot for extra storage, composite video input, 1-watt speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack, 720p video support, and support for 3rd party apps like Office Mobile and other Windows CE apps.

The new P4 projector is a big step up from the older P2 or other options from AAXA and is available now, priced at $399. It is currently on sale for just $339 and can be found right here.

This app extends the capabilities of the Coolpix S1200pj beyond projecting photos and videos stored on the camera itself, which features a 14.1-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, and supports ups to 720p HD video recording. The camera also features a 3-inch LCD viewer and began shipping back in September for $429.95.

The built-in projector has 20 lumens of brightness and can project on to a 60-inch screen. However, it’s not clear whether it can only project still images and documents or if it can project whatever is on the screen of your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Also, its native resolution is 1024 x 768, so images will be scaled down.

[via Nikon]

This week’s Association for Computing Machinery’s Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology in Santa Barbara California is set to be the place where this project is formally unveiled, it currently combining a laser pico projector and a depth-sensing camera to create images on any surface and the ability to read interactions with those images in 3D space. Think of the Xbox Kinect, then imagine being able to use this sort of thing on whatever surface you like. Depth sensing on the go.

In the video you’ll see several different uses for this project already in the works such as dialing a phone, writing virtual notes on a notepad, and painting on a wall with your hand as the pallet. Like pico projectors we’ve seen in the past, this iteration of the OmniTouch project adjusts automatically to surface shapes and orientations to minimize distortion, and through the future the device will not need to be calibrated or for “any special sensors to be worn on the skin,” people will simply be able to drop it on their shoulder and start working.

Natural Interaction Research Group at Microsoft member Hrvoje Benko notes: “We wanted to capitalize on the tremendous surface area the real world provides.” And we can’t wait!

BONUS here’s another video showing more on finger tracking in this project:

The choice of pico-projector is particularly important: it’s a laser-based model, which means there’s no focusing required and so it can project onto the entire inner surface of the globe – thanks to the fish-eye lens – simultaneously. Patel’s software takes the high-resolution, copyright-free image and video data released from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - which includes basic globe maps, animated weather patterns, the milky way and the moon – and finagles it to suit the sphere.

Unlike Microsoft’s prototype there’s no multitouch control to manipulate the image, though you can spin the graphics round in the DIY version using the computer doing the graphics crunching. In the second video, Patel has tracked 24 different low-orbit satellites using the display. Best of all, he’s released all the required code – including templates for the 3D printed brackets holding everything together – for you to try your hand at building one too.

[via PicoProjector-Info]

The patent application was dug up by Patently Apple, who reports that Apple has been working on incorporating projection technology into their devices for quite some time now. Apple hinted at an integrated projector system for iOS devices as far back as 2009 and in 2010 filed a patent application for networked projection systems. Then later on in 2010, Apple began working on integrating a projector into a MacBook.

However, today’s patent filing is much more detailed and even includes how the company plans to introduce advanced gesturing so that the system can interpret shadow and silhouette gesturing to carry out certain commands. It also reveals a unified display mode where two separate iOS devices can work together to project a much larger continuous screen and images between the screens can be shared. The amount of details suggest that Apple has worked long at this and is now really pushing forward with this integrated projection system, which could also help boost its adoption in enterprise use.

[via Patently Apple]

Measuring in at 60 x 118 x 14 mm, the SHOWWX+ HDMI uses a laser projection system which means no focusing is necessary: simply point it at a wall and get up to a 2.5m display. Resolution is 848 x 480, which isn’t going to do much justice to your Full HD movies but is at least enough for some YouTube style entertainment. Brightness is 15 lumens and contrast is around 5,000:1, and the HDMI input is HDCP compliant for protected sources.

In addition to the HDMI, there’s the usual component input for use with a regular TV output from a laptop, DVD player or iPod. With the right adapter, meanwhile, you can also hook up a VGA connection, though with many notebooks having HDMI these days we doubt many will need that. The user-replaceable battery is good for up to 2hrs runtime.

The MicroVision SHOWWX+ HDMI is currently available to pre-order, priced at $369. It’s expected to begin shipping imminently.

[via PicoProjector-Info]

In Q4 2010, the number of pico projectors sold was 268,000. These numbers are only for pico projectors, which are classified as small battery powered projectors of fewer than 500 lumens in brightness. The numbers do include standalone projectors like the little AAXA L1 v2 we reviewed and those that are inside mobile devices like smartphones.

The thing that is holding this market back more than anything is the lack of brightness. Most of the pico projectors on the market simply lack the brightness they need to be truly useful in your average room. “Pico companion products dominated annual shipments in 2009 and 2010,” said Dr. William Coggshall, President of Pacific Media Associates. “And by any measure, these products took quantum leaps in performance and features between Q4 of 2009 and Q4 of 2010. The portion of VGA or higher resolution models went from 52% to 84%. The portion of 25 lumen or higher models went from 4% to over 48%. And most models now offer a selection of ports that enable a broad range of content-containing devices to connect to them.”

The ten times faster data transfer rate of the USB 3.0 port will make streaming HD resolution video smoother and removes the USB 2.0 video streaming bottleneck that limited video resolution to 640 x 480. The USB 3.0 solution promises to use the higher bandwidth to eliminate skipping and delays in playback caused by low bandwidth USB 2.0 ports.

The USB 3.0 chip inside the projector is an ET12U320A from Evolution Technology Corporation. Key specifications on the projector like brightness and contrast ratio are not offered. Poor brightness is the biggest issue with any of the pico-projectors I have ever used. I hope that this USB 3.0 projector has some improvement in that area as well.

Attachments

If you plan on plugging your iPod Touch or other Apple product into this projector (or any other, for that matter,) you’re going to have to buy at least one more cord. I decided on the standard Apple Composite AV Cable. This cable is available from the Apple store or several other locations such as Target. Incidentally, this cord will end up being useful for those of you whose iPod cord is on its last leg (like mine was) since it also connects via USB. This cord connects easily to the AV cord included in your projector’s box. As you may know if you’ve been following along with these reviews, the most obviously simple ways to utilize the projector are by plugging in a USB flash drive or by transferring files to the internal memory of the projector itself. You’ll need to have your own USB cord (not included in the projector package) to transfer and/or your own flash drive to work with in these cases. It’s important to remember that you’re probably not going to be able to use this projector straight out of the box unless you’ve got these cords already handy (or don’t mind stopping by your local electronics store.)

iDevices

As noted, the demo you’re about to see is done with a 2nd gen iPod Touch. It’ll end up working basically exactly the same for any other iDevice from that generation forward, I can’t speak for anything behind. When you’ve got the gigantically long Apple-official cable connected to the quite-short AV cable included with the projector, you’ll probably want a couple of twist-ties or a rubber band handy so you’re not tripping over yourself. Once you’ve got it all in your hands, you should be set to go to watch videos. It’s important to note that without hacking your iDevice, you’ll only be allowed to project videos. No gigantic Angry Birds for you.

Adjustments and Angles

If you’ve ever been in a classroom setting with one of those gigantic projectors with infinite buttons, you’ll be used to perfectly sharp images and lots of adjustments available for the size and shape of the picture. This is not that. This projector requires that you physically move back and forth to get the image to be bigger or smaller, and there’s basically no adjustments to be seen as far as if you’re trying to shoot the image up on a wall at an angle – straight on is the only way if you’re trying to make sure your box is perfectly boxed.

Wrap-Up

We’ve seen this projector in action for over TWO weeks now (extended because of the wacky holidays) and have only been disappointed by a few things: battery time, the loudness of the fan (which is basically always on,) and image breakdown. The image breakdown (which you can see if you take a look back at the first demo,) can be excused by the fact that this only seems to happen when playing a video file that wasn’t necessarily meant to be played outside its dvd confines (aka it wasn’t the best quality in the first place,) but still, imperfections in translating a video might be foremost in your mind when your buying a projector made for that single purpose.

The battery time and loudness of the fan are things you’re going to have to deal with whenever you use a projector, especially if you’re talking about one as small as this that you’re going to be carrying around in your pocket. This device is definitely fun, transports with great ease as its tiny and weighs basically nothing, and I can think of a dozen different ways to use it without even brainstorming that hard.

Is it worth the price? You betcha. Are you going to be able to use it in a professional setting? Depends on what profession you’re in. If you’re a freelance artist looking to show off your wares in odd places – yes! If you’re a businessman looking to project weekly earnings and charts – maybe not. This is not a big projector you’re going to use to show movies to crowds of people, but the cool factor is definitely here. If you want to be pro, go bigger (AAXA has lots of more substantial, but less mobile projectors if you wish,) if you want to be totally cool, buy the L1 v2 Laser Projector. Do it NOW!

Have a look at the rest of this series here:
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Everyday Use
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing
L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector Revealed by AAXA
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : iDevices and Wrap-Up

R3 Media Network

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EA iPhone, iPad and iPod touch games slashed to 99 cents
Sharp to provide 2012 Apple displays with new $1.2bn LCD facility?
PC versus Windows Phone 7 gaming launches
$99 Wii and 3rd-party gaming is Nintendo’s salvation suggests EA boss
Hitachi outs new 7mm thick 500GB single disk HDD
Dish Network adds new 3D movies
Sceptre X420BV-FHD 42-inch HDTV unveiled
Razer unveils new Scarab hard gaming mouse pad
Scosche launches new kickback P1 iPad case
PlayStation App hits Android devices and it’s not for gaming :(
RIM talks PlayBook and more on Wall Street call
iKit offers Chrome iPhone 4 case with kickstand
Google’s music aspirations surface
iSkin unveils Aura folio for iPad
TikTok and LunaTik iPod nano watch kit nears $1m in funding
Keybrid is the coolest house key ever
NEC LifeTouch dual-screen Android tablet tipped for CES 2011
Word Lens for iPhone auto-translates foreign text in real-time [Video]
Kindle for Android 2.0 adds e-magazines, in-app shopping, more
Facebook Memories timeline gets accidental preview
AT&T-spec Dell Venue Pro clears FCC with 3G promise
Movie Review – Tron: Legacy [REVIEW]

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

R3 Media Network

Editor’s Choice
Nexus S Ninja unboxing concentrates on mayhem [HINT: NUNCHUCKS]
iPad multi-user UI concept is super-simple and much needed [UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT]
Motorola Applies for Trademark Patent Over “Stadia” for New Device [MYSTERY]
Blakemedia’s iPhone 4 Speak & Spell Decal is $6.99 of Greatness [CUTE]
EA Games Debuts Batch of Apps for iOS Including Scrabble and Mortal Kombat [IT HAS BEGUN]

SlashPhone
LG Optimus 2X Has Dual Core CPU Inside
Android Voice Search Now Recognizes Your Personal Voice
Huawei Ascend Android Smartphone Launched on MetroPCS

Android Community
Ninja Nexus S unboxing is perhaps best ever
Nexus S goes on sale – Who’s buying?
Dell Venue official in Korea: Android 2.2 and curved glass AMOLED
Google App Inventor now open for all
LG’s Tegra 2 Optimus 2X official: due from Jan 2011
Android Community Google Cr-48 Giveaway REMINDER [REMINDER REMINDER]
Yahoo! Messenger App For Android Updated, Now Includes Free Voice Calling
LG Optimus U Hands-On and Unboxing [FEATURED]
Velocity Micro Release Cruz T301 Tablet
Motorola Applies for Trademark Patent Over “Stadia” for New Device
Leaked Images of LG B Smartphone Show Super-Bright Screen
Chumby Application for Android Available Now
ComiXology App Now for Android
Android 2.2.1 XXJPU ROM for Galaxy S Leaked [One Fabulous Froyo Build]
Free Android Phones at RadioShack
Technicolor Tablet Finds Its Way Through FCC
Official PlayStation App Coming to Android (and iOS)
Verizon Says No Recall on Droid 2 Global and Moto Droid Pro
Nexus S [REVIEW]
Fring Sees Staggering Revenue from fringOut

SlashGear
IE9 5x more malware secure than Firefox say researchers
Microsoft Bing refresh adds Facebook support; Bing 2.0 for iOS released
Mac App Store launches January 6 2011
iBooks 1.2 released: AirPrint, Collections & more
Google Nexus S on sale now
Sony grab Nobel Prize winner for OLED, organic battery & solar panel research advice
JVC LSI 2D/3D camcorder chip promises Full HD 60fps 3D, 4K2K & more at CES 2011
OpenBSD coder denies FBI backdoor allegations
Facebook photo auto-tagging makes ID’ing friends easier
Apple app sharing patent application makes try-&-buy personal
iPad multi-user UI concept is super-simple and much needed
Nintendo 3DS Euro launch details at Jan 19 2011 press conference?
Dell Venue Android 2.2 version of Venue Pro hits Korea this month
Android 2.3 headed to AOSP imminently confirms Google; custom ROMs ahoy!
MacBook Pro and “mainstream” new size iMac tipped for 1H 2011
Google’s Android App Inventor opens for everybody [Video]
LG Optimus 2X official: Tegra 2, HDMI & 1080p HD
SlashGear Google Cr-48 Giveaway REMINDER [REMINDER REMINDER]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Everyday Use [REVIEW]
Nexus S Teardown
Self-Powered House Generates Income for You
SkyKap Advisor is a Hat with Integrated GPS, Costs $300
Vizio XVT3D650SV Unveiled, Brings 3D to 65-Inch $3,500 TV
Scooterputer Features a Thermaltake Element V Case on a Scooter [Video]
Google Maps 5 for Android Hands-On [FEATURED]
Fujisoft PALRO Humanoid Shows That Remembers Places and Things on Video
Court in Spain Rules It’s Legal to Own, Advertise, and Sell Jailbroken PlayStation 3s in Spain
SolarReserve Aiming to Build a Solar Plant That Uses Molten Salt to Store Energy in California
Why TIME Got It Right [COLUMN]
EA Games Debuts a Batch of New Games for iOS Including Scrabble and Mortal Kombat
Self-Sterilizing Door Handle Wins Concept Design Award, Needs to be Real
Blakemedia’s iPhone 4 Speak & Spell Decal is $6.99 of Greatness
T-800 Terminator Bust Made from LEGO
Nokia accuses Apple of infringing 13 more patents
Call of Duty: Black Ops Gets Hotfix for Online Connectivity

To see more Daily Slash posts, click here: [The Daily Slash] or here: [SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up]

Hardware

If you take a look back at our original post announcing availability of this projector, you’ll see that this device is a three-color laser light source projector, one they call “revolutionary.” It also includes proprietary despeckling technology, and an LCoS imager to produce 800 x 600 resolution and 20 lumen output. It has a built-in speaker, ports for VGA, A/V, USB, and power (for both charging and using whilst plugged in,) plus there’s a headphone jack on the other side.

It fits right in the palm of your hand and all the controls are in plain sight. Once you get into working the menu, you’ll more than likely have a short learning session as the UI is slightly imperfect. But just speaking on behalf of the hardware here, everything seems really slick, all buttons extremely responsive and hearty. Once the projector is running, you’ll hear that the fan has its work cut out for it. You will hear the fan running more than 60% of the time you’ve got the device on. It’s not the quietest fan I’ve ever heard, but you’ll probably get used to it quick after you hear it.

As far as cords go, you’ll have to see what your situation is when you get to the point where you’re going to decide what to use this device for. You’ve got a few cords included in the package, but there’s definitely room for want. For instance you might want a USB to USB cord to connect the device to your computer to add files to the device’s onboard storage.

Software

Once you have the device in your hand and you’d like to start playing some movies or looking at some photos projected high up in your classroom when the teacher isn’t looking, you’ll notice that there’s no screen from whens you can see selections. Wait a second, you’ll say, of course there’s no screen, this is a projector! So you turn the device on and sure enough, the menu is staring you right in the face, right over there on the wall.

The menu is confusing. Apple didn’t design this user interface, and sure as heck Google and the people at Android didn’t take a whack at it. It’s got five different items on the screen that you can highlight – four of them around an image of your controller (same as on the device,) and two more to the right. Around the controller are Documents, Photos, Video, and Music. To access each of these, you’ve only to press up, down, left, or right. When you’ve highlighted an item, its name is also highlighted at the top of the screen. This would be great, but the rest of the names are up there too, flanking the highlighted name. Say what? Confusing, very confusing. Then to get to the other two options: Sources (Input) and Settings, you’ve got to press right two times. You’ve got to select movie, but continue moving to your right to access these two additional items. Weird. Once you’ve got it, you’ve got it though, and the confusion doth never return.

A couple of the greatest things about this device are it’s ability to play and project all sorts of files and its ability to hold files inside itself for playing without anything connected. The most convenient way you’re going to end up using this device is to bring a USB stick along with all the content you’d like to display. Your stick plugs right into the side and your files appear basically instantly.

Picture

The picture is really nice, especially for such a tiny projector. I’ve used it to watch a couple of movies in my wife and I’s living room in the dark and have had basically no complaints. There is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to getting certain movies and etcetera to project at full quality, but it’s nothing a person who can read the instructions manual (a very nicely laid out manual I remind you) wouldn’t be able to understand quite quickly. The picture is bright, the picture is colorful, and the picture is always in focus. Always always always. As I mention in the video, I remember the teachers and professors at the schools I went to constantly having to set the projector up to focus on the screen. No more of that, I say.

The picture projects as well as you’d expect it to in light and dark. Projected images obviously look better in the dark than they do in the light because, you know, there’s no competition. On the other hand, this projector deals a better game than they speak of in the advertisements as far as displaying in the light goes. NOTE: In the video when you see lines (or “waves”) moving through the projected image, note that these are only the result of my video camera having a different frame rate than the projector projects. The video is indeed clean.

Everyday Use

In most instances you’ll end up placing this device down while you’re displaying the media you’d like to display. This device is small though, and was clearly designed to be brought along for presentations in the office, school, or otherwise to be held in the hand. When you do either of these, your primary concern should be the heat. This device does get pretty hot pretty quick. You’re not going to be wanting to hold the projector in your hand for the entirety of its battery life (about an hour, a little more), because your hand will thusly become uncomfortable. The device does not become so hot though that you should worry about it overheating and breaking, but don’t go wrapping it in a warm towel just to test it.

We (my wife and I) have used the projector at home now to watch a couple movies up on the wall before we go to bed. We generally like to watch terrifying horror movies so we can’t sleep for weeks, so we watched one of those and Anchorman, a comedy movie you may have heard of, and both worked out really well. We of course turned the lights down for both (got some popcorn too), and definitely recommend doing this when watching anything on the projector if you’ve got the option. Poltergeist is, of course, terrifying either way. This device is clean.

A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector from AAXA

Take a look at all of our “Week With” posts for the L1 v2 projector in this ever-growing list right here, starting with the first announcement and ending with the final word:

L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector Revealed by AAXA [Original Press Release]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Everyday Use

R3 Media Network

Editor’s Choice
Brand New Android Marketplace User Interface Available NOW (via ripped APK) [NEATOID]
Atari and Cryptic Studios launch Star Trek Online Season Three: Genesis contest [JEAN LUC BLOW UP THE DAMN SHIP]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing [YIPEE!]
Clark Griswold has nothing on the Faucher’s Christmas light show [EMERGENCY RADIOACTIVE POWER]
Verizon’s Motorola Android Honeycomb tablet leaks [SO LEAKY]
T-Mobile G2 Now Only $49.99 [AMAZING DEAL, TRUST ME]

SlashPhone
Verizon iPhone is on Apple’s hired engineers handle
LG Optimus One Series Will Be Receiving Android 2.3

Android Community
Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition to cost about $1000
Angry Birds looks for new ways to make money
Pantech P8000 surfaces with Android onboard
Nexus S UK pre-orders open ahead of “end of Dec” delivery
$100 Dell Streak as Best Buy crank up the subsidies
Maps 5.0 on the Nexus S Demoed by Google
Unofficial Gingerbread Port for Droid X Available Now
LG Star Unofficially Previewed
Huawei Australia Unveils IDEOS X5, X6 Android Smartphones
Brand New Android Marketplace User Interface Available NOW (via ripped APK)
Nexus S Questions Answered by Best Buy
Twidroyd Now Ad Free And Available In The Android Market
Words with Friends Port for Android Coming Soon
Best Buy Details Nexus S Launch Plans
Walgreens Mobile App Now Available
T-Mobile G2 Now Only $49.99
eLocity A7 Tablet Shipping Now
NOOKcolor can now use Android Market (If you’re Rooted, that is) [WOOT]
LG Optimus Mach LU3000 Stocked with Original Ennio Morricone Music
Creative ZiiO appears at the FCC
Android make its way onto Fanboy and Fangirl’s wedding cake
Huawei Ascend for MetroPCS Launched for $179
White Samsung Galaxy S Arrives in Germany
HTC EVO Shift 4G Shows Off Keyboard, Release Date Believed to be January 9th

SlashGear
Roku add 1080p HD to XR streamers with 2.9 firmware update
KIN Studio shutting down as Verizon pulls plug in January 2011
LED Christmas lights hacked into huge IM status display [Video]
Intel pricing Huron River out of the game as Calpalla stocks won’t shift?
Clark Griswold has nothing on the Faucher’s Christmas light show
Google Latitude hits App Store again
Gogo and SkyMall offer free store access on flights
Tamron debuts world’s lightest and smallest 15x DSLR zoom lens
Gear4 offers Angry Birds cases for iPhone 4
PS3 gamers get exclusive playable Kratos character on Mortal Kombat
Kaleidescape reveals Modular Disc Vault for Blu-ray movies
Atari and Cryptic Studios launch Star Trek Online Season Three: Genesis contest
HP and Rossignol team up for special edition notebooks
Mini iPad rumors reignite as half-size model tipped
Justbeats headphones launch as Best Buy exclusive
VW rocks out with Fender Premium audio in select models
Amazon deny hack attack as Euro sites go offline over weekend
Nexus S UK pre-orders open ahead of late-December delivery
Paul Allen patent case against Google, Apple, Facebook & more thrown out
PS3 ITV Player and Channel 4 4oD streaming due this week
Cydia Mac App Store alternative due in just a few weeks time
MacBook Air USB Ethernet adapter glitch prompts network headaches
ASUS Eee Note EA800 gets video unboxing; user-guide goes live
Verizon’s Motorola Android Honeycomb tablet leaks
LG VL600 LTE modem [REVIEW]
Nexus S unboxing and hands-on [FEATURED]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing [FEATURED]
Why I’m Willing to Give 3D TV A Try [COLUMN]
Is webOS 2.0 Coming to Palm Devices in Q1 2011?
Hidden Gamepad Underneath Chameleon X-1 Mouse
Hybrid Sweet Sweeper Allianz 4000 is World’s First
Solar Powered Watches Updated by Casio at ECO Product 2010
Mozilla Demonstrates Potential of HTML 5 at LeWeb via Floating Ships and Spacecraft [FEATURED]
Apple Attempts to Acquire Patents to Fix for Your Snapshots
MLB At Bat Highest Grossing App for iOS in 2010
LG E90 LED Monitor Landing in the UK Before Christmas
Movie Review: Tron (1982) [COLUMN]
Coloud R2-D2 Themed Headphones Available Now for $49.90
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Breaks Record, Sells 3.3 Million Copies in 24 Hours [Wow!]
iPhone for Verizon Said to be an LTE-Based Device, Launching Right After Christmas
Amazon Sells Millions of Kindles in Just 73 Days, Publicly Thanks Purchasers
Mass Effect 3 Launching Holiday 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 & PC Simultaneously
World Darts Championship to be Filmed With 32 Cameras, Shown Off in 3D
“Emotional” phones hold your hand, blow on you & kiss you [Video]
What is a Chrome OS notebook? [COLUMN]
Intel Light Peak to debut with copper cables not fiber-optic?
Orb Music MP-1 [REVIEW]
HALO DIY obstacle-avoidance system is low-cost radar for visually-impaired [Video]

To see more Daily Slash posts, click here: [The Daily Slash] or here: [SlashGear Morning Wrap-Up]

R3 Media Network

Editor’s Choice
Brand New Android Marketplace User Interface Available NOW (via ripped APK) [SHINY]
Atari and Cryptic Studios launch Star Trek Online Season Three: Genesis contest [DIY SHIP]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing [GON BE FUN]
Clark Griswold has nothing on the Faucher’s Christmas light show [IS YOUR HOUSE ON FIRE?]
Verizon’s Motorola Android Honeycomb tablet leaks [LEAKY LEAKY]

SlashPhone
Verizon iPhone is on Apple’s hired engineers handle

Android Community
Galaxy Tab Luxury Edition to cost about $1000
Angry Birds looks for new ways to make money
Pantech P8000 surfaces with Android onboard
Nexus S UK pre-orders open ahead of “end of Dec” delivery
$100 Dell Streak as Best Buy crank up the subsidies
Maps 5.0 on the Nexus S Demoed by Google
Unofficial Gingerbread Port for Droid X Available Now
LG Star Unofficially Previewed
Huawei Australia Unveils IDEOS X5, X6 Android Smartphones
Brand New Android Marketplace User Interface Available NOW (via ripped APK)
Nexus S Questions Answered by Best Buy
Twidroyd Now Ad Free And Available In The Android Market

SlashGear
Roku add 1080p HD to XR streamers with 2.9 firmware update
KIN Studio shutting down as Verizon pulls plug in January 2011
LED Christmas lights hacked into huge IM status display [Video]
Intel pricing Huron River out of the game as Calpalla stocks won’t shift?
Clark Griswold has nothing on the Faucher’s Christmas light show
Google Latitude hits App Store again
Gogo and SkyMall offer free store access on flights
Tamron debuts world’s lightest and smallest 15x DSLR zoom lens
Gear4 offers Angry Birds cases for iPhone 4
PS3 gamers get exclusive playable Kratos character on Mortal Kombat
Kaleidescape reveals Modular Disc Vault for Blu-ray movies
Atari and Cryptic Studios launch Star Trek Online Season Three: Genesis contest
HP and Rossignol team up for special edition notebooks
Mini iPad rumors reignite as half-size model tipped
Justbeats headphones launch as Best Buy exclusive
VW rocks out with Fender Premium audio in select models
Amazon deny hack attack as Euro sites go offline over weekend
Nexus S UK pre-orders open ahead of late-December delivery
Paul Allen patent case against Google, Apple, Facebook & more thrown out
PS3 ITV Player and Channel 4 4oD streaming due this week
Cydia Mac App Store alternative due in just a few weeks time
MacBook Air USB Ethernet adapter glitch prompts network headaches
ASUS Eee Note EA800 gets video unboxing; user-guide goes live
Verizon’s Motorola Android Honeycomb tablet leaks
LG VL600 LTE modem [REVIEW]
Nexus S unboxing and hands-on [FEATURED]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing [FEATURED]
Why I’m Willing to Give 3D TV A Try [COLUMN]

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

The Box

As you might already know, if I open a box up for a review of the device inside and I find that the box is above-average quality, I’m gonna tell you about it. This particular box is a combination of shipping-quality toughness and second-thought printing. As you can see in the photos and video, there is a slide-off cover to the box which is itself surrounded by a brightly colored print display which tells you all about the product as it would stand in the store. This piece of gloss paper is taped on, letting you know instantly that AAXA does not depend on its graphic design presentation to sell you its products. Is this a good sign? Sometimes no, but in this case, it’s just fine, as the product itself is relatively high quality, as you’ll discover through the rest of this week’s reviews.

The people who would buy this projector are not the same people who buy Apple products whenever they’re released and refuse to use anything other than an iPod to listen to their music. Or is it? If you take a look at the image used in this post, you’ll see that they’re attempting to capture at least a part of the Apple consumer crowd. The box itself doesn’t really reflect this.

Inside the box are some thin cardboard separators and a piece of plastic cushion padding. These aren’t the sort of pieces you’re going to keep. Might as well just toss them in the garbage as soon as you open the package. Each cord is wrapped in its own plastic bag, the directions are situated right on top, and the device itself is precariously placed inside the thin cardboard right in the middle. The one we have here came in perfect condition, but I would definitely warn you to make sure your device isn’t bashed against the side before ripping all the packaging apart, just incase the cardboard broke down in the shipping process and a shipper’s thrown the box (as is often the case in shipping boxes this size, no matter who you get it shipped through.)

The Guide and Cords

In the box besides the device you’ll get an instructional manual and several cords. The manual is nicely printed and very easy to work with. Each time I’ve had a question about how the device works thus far, it’s been simply addressed by the book in an easy-to-find chapter.

The cords are thus: power cord (which plugs into a wall socket exclusively,) VGA video cord (which I agree with Intel, will be dead sooner than later, but is very nice to have here and now,) and a composite A/V cord – you know the kind, with the three color plugs red, white, and yellow. Both the A/V cord and the VGA cord connect to the device via a port on the right side of the device right next to the charge plug, both under the same flap.

As you’ll see in the video, and I still miss here, I wish there was a straight USB cord here to connect to the computer, as it does show this happening in the manual, but then again, there’s no headphones or earbuds either, and more than likely anyone purchasing this device already owns both.

The Device

The projector itself, as you can see in the video, is definitely hand-held. This is as far as technology has brought us so far with thinness in a laser projector, and I am satisfied. A big question for the future is how projectors are going to be integrated into thinner devices like tablets, etc – but then again, maybe they never will be?

You can see each of the plug covers plainly around the edges of the device: the power cord imput and external port (for VGA, RCA, and S-Video cords) under the same cover along the right side below the USB 2.0 port under a separate cover. Along the top is the projector glass – do not look directly into it! This is something AAXA is very clear about in the users manual. Watch out! Along the left side is the headphone port as well as the reset button (under the surface, accessible with a pin or something tiny, of course.)

The buttons include an Projector Adjustment button (top left), On/Off button (top left), Menu button (bottom left), and Cancel (bottom right.) Between these are up, down, left, and right, as well as an OK button in the center. Above these buttons you can see where the fan cools the engine off, and on the back you can see a laser warning as well as several rubber pads for setting the device down without scuffing it up.

The Bracket

The bracket is an item that lets you know exactly what this device is – not just an object that works in and of itself, but one that works as a teammate of other devices. This device is a projector, and should be thought of as a middleman between your device and the image it projects. The bracket lets you know that although the device works perfectly fine held in your hand or set on a flat surface, you might consider adding a tripod or similar holding object. That’s not to say that this device cannot play media on it’s on though – it can! You’ll hear all about that in the future reviews.

So get all pumped up! This is a handheld projector that works pretty neatly. Stay tuned all next week for several more reviews as we get used to it and blast images all over the place (as I write this, I’m watching the Empire Strikes Back on my wife and I’s apartment wall as we’re snowed in for the day – fun!) Seeya then!

A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector from AAXA

Take a look at all of our “Week With” posts for the L1 v2 projector in this ever-growing list right here, starting with the first announcement and ending with the final word:

L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector Revealed by AAXA [Original Press Release]
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Hands-on and Unboxing
A Week With the L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector : Everyday Use

Since the pull-out panel would be a mere board, rather than requiring any sort of electronics, it could be much thinner and lighter than fitting a larger active panel of some sort. Alternatively, it could be a rolled-display, pulling out like a miniature version of a regular projector screen, or folded.

The application even suggests that the screen material could have dual-states, being flexible for storage and then hard when used for projection purposes; it’s not entirely clear what technology Sony Ericsson has in mind for that. Of course, it doesn’t mean we can expect projection-phones from Sony Ericsson any time soon, but it would certainly make mobile movie consumption a little more palatable.

[via Unwired View]

Video demo after the cut

However, automotive is just one angle the HUD system is being fettled for. Pioneer is apparently planning to use PicoP-based display engines in other consumer and after-market automotive products, though exact details of what we can expect – a Pioneer PMP, perhaps? – are unknown.

Rather than being a standalone system, Pioneer’s Network Vision tech paired via Bluetooth or WiFi with a smartphone running your choice of PND app. The company suggests that by keeping notifications and GPS directions on the screen and at the regular eye-line level rather than on a dashboard display, driver safety will be improved.

[via PicoProjector-Info]

Press Release:

MicroVision and Pioneer to Jointly Commercialize Innovative Laser Display Products

MicroVision, Inc. (NASDAQ: MVIS), a leader in innovative ultra-miniature laser display technology, announced today that it has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pioneer Corporation, one of the top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets, to develop, manufacture and distribute display engines and display engine subsystems for consumer and in-vehicle head-up displays (HUDs) using the MicroVision PicoP(R) laser display technology.

Earlier this year, the two companies executed a joint development agreement to develop two critical components of the PicoP display engine: a laser light source module using direct red, blue, and green lasers and a separate display engine subsystem based on MicroVision’s patented PicoP laser scanning technology. Both are key pieces of the next-generation PicoP display engine that will offer OEMs significant commercial advantages in price, size, power, and performance for embedded solutions ranging from cell phones and eyewear, to airplanes and automobiles.

The MOU establishes the framework of a future manufacturing and commercial distribution agreement for PicoP-based display engines to be used in consumer, after-market and embedded automotive products. Pioneer has announced it is targeting commercial introduction of an in-vehicle HUD using PicoP technology into the consumer market in 2012.

“Pioneer has a strong history of bringing cutting edge technologies to mass markets,” stated Alexander Tokman, president and CEO of MicroVision. “We believe that by combining our respective market and product development capabilities, and leveraging best practices in manufacturing, MicroVision and Pioneer can accelerate introducing next-generation laser display products while reducing the total cost for both companies in getting there.”

Both Pioneer and MicroVision were recently recognized as finalists for the CEATEC Innovation Awards for 2010. Pioneer was recognized in the Automotive category for its demonstration of a HUD using laser scanning technology provided by MicroVision, and MicroVision was recognized in the Components category for its SHOWWX(TM) laser pico projector, powered by the PicoP display engine.

The DV S11 camcorder is perfectly capable of recording 1080p video, and can take 5MP still photos courtesy of the 1/3.2-inch CMOS sensor inside. On the back of the device, a 3.5-inch LCD takes up the majority of the device’s body. However, there’s plenty of room for physical buttons. There’s an 800mAh Li-Ion battery inside, and users will be able to access the SDHC memory card slot for extra storage. Plus, that built-in pico projector for good measure.

You’ll find a single USB 2.0 port, an HDMI output, and A/V RCA jacks as well. The device is shipping right now over in Hong Kong, and the price is set at somewhere around $310. However, there’s no word as of right now when US-based customers can expect to see the DV S11 camcorder land in this region.

[via Electronista]

Project images up to 50″ away in dark environments. Rapid change possible in projection size, simultaneous near and far projection, angled projection, and projection on uneven surfaces. Fricking sweet, man. This projector includes an onboard 1.5 hour battery, making power cables unnecessary, VGA input supporting up to 800×600 resolutions for laptop connections, and a media player inside the device able to decode multiple document and media formats. Have some files on a USB thumb drive? It can read those too. Available for $449 MSRP or pre-order for $399. Check out the full press-release below:

AAXA Introduces L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector

November 24, 2010

AAXA Technologies is pleased to announce the release of the AAXA L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector, an updated version of the L1, the world’s first laser powered pocket projector. The updated design improves the performance of L1 v2 by increasing the thermal efficiency of the PCOS laser light engine. The unique three-color laser light source enables the L1 v2 to produce images with amazing color saturation that are always in focus. Designed for mobile professionals and entertainment, the AAXA L1 v2 pocket projector combines a revolutionary laser light source, proprietary despeckling technology, and an LCoS imager to achieve a 20 lumen output at 800×600 resolution without the pixilation problems found in some laser projectors.

The flexibility offered by the L1 v2 laser light source opens up a new world of possibilities in projection applications. The focus-free operation allows for rapid changes in projection size, simultaneous far and near surface projection, angled projection, and projection on curved and other non-flat surfaces. Its ultra-efficient optical engine enables the L1 v2 to produce rich images even in less-than-dark environments – and color-rich images up to 50″ in dark environments. Combined with onboard 1.5 hour battery, the L1 v2 operates as a true hand-held laser projector without the need for any cables or external power source.

Built-in features include VGA input supporting up to 800×600 resolutions for laptop connections and on-board gamma correction. Additional features include a powerful media player capable of decoding of video (AVI, ASF, WMV, MPG), audio (MP3, WAV, AAC), images (JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP), and popular document formats (DOC, XLS, PPT, PDF), onboard memory, and a USB port capable of reading files directly off a standard USB thumb drive.

While the L1 v2 is slightly larger than the original L1, it still remains the world’s smallest 20 lumen pico projector – no larger than a small cell phone, measuring only 4.2″ x 2.1″ x 1.2″ and weighs in at 170 grams (including battery). The L1 v2 projector is much smaller than the traditional “pocket projector”. It slips into a pocket or briefcase and comes with a stand, making it fully portable and configurable for maximum presentation flexibility. Additional accessories allow the L1 v2 to connect to Apple iPhone/iPod, Microsoft Zune, Sony Playstation Portable (PSP), and a wide range of cellphones from Nokia, LG, Samsung, and HTC.

The AAXA L1 v2 is available for pre-order at www.aaxatech.com for $399 and begins shipping December 1, 2010 and will also be available through our fine retail partners.

[Via AAXA Technologies]

With the right cable – not included – you can hook up an iPhone or iPod, too, for impromptu drive-in sessions. Battery life is rated at up to 90 minutes, and you can project up to a 54-inch picture (though expect some significant fuzziness at that sort of scale). No threat to your local cinema, but if you’ve been looking to entertain the kids but put off by the usual pico-projector price tag, this one might fit the basic bill.

[via PicoProjector-Info]

The iClops has an autofocus lens, pivoting mount and can take 2.1-megapixel stills or shoot VGA-quality video; it can stream video at 15fps, and has a built-in microphone.  There’ll be a companion video recording app in the App Store when the iClops arrives in March 2011 for around $130, though it’s not yet clear whether Face Time will be supported.  Scosche also apparently plans to run a competition to name the iClops.

Meanwhile the Optoma Neo-i pico-projector is a desktop iPhone/iPod dock with stereo 8W speakers and a 50 lumens projector on the back capable of 854 x 480 16:9 aspect video.  There’s also HDMI, VGA and composite inputs, for using the Neo-i with external sources, together with an audio output and an optional $40 iPad connector kit.  There’s also talk of potential battery power, though we won’t know for sure until its official debut later this month, priced at around $450.

[via PicoProjector-Info]

There’s also a microSD card slot together with a USB port that supports USB Slide Show and USB Multimedia for direct playback from a memory key.  Finally there’s composite and component audio/video inputs and a stereo audio output for use if the integrated 0.5W mono speaker isn’t quite enough for you.

A battery good for up to 2hrs use in “ECO” mode (or 1hr in regular mode) and an optional remote round out the specs.  The Acer C20 pico-projector is available now, priced at £279.99 ($443).

Press Release:

C20 PICO projector: Smaller than ever

London, 4th October 2010 – With the increasing success of smartphones or advanced features phones, taking pictures or recording videos has become extremely easy. When it comes to showing your friends your funniest photos or the video you recorded during your holiday, is an entirely different story. It means sharing the screen of your phone or relying on notebooks and bulky projectors. Now, with the new Acer C20, a PICO projector so small it fits in your pocket, you can comfortably enjoy your videos, photos or presentation with your friends anywhere.

Available in three cool colours – Candy Pink, Metallic Blue and Silver – the C20 pico-projector is just about the size of a smartphone and weighs a handful of grams, yet delivers impressive performance, freeing you from the small screen and giving a whole new meaning to travelling light.

Easily connect the C20 to your laptop, mobile phone or camcorder via the built-in USB and HDMI, relax and enjoy your videos, pictures and presentations on any surface with a display size varying from 13cm (5″) to 168cm (66″). It’s just like having a portable cinema in your pocket. Furthermore, with the internal speaker you don’t even need to carry around a separate amplifier if you fancy watching a video.

The 2000:1 contrast ratio is well beyond the sort of level you can expect from such tiny device and ensure crystal clear, vibrant projections. Thanks to the amazing WVGA resolution and native 16:9 format picture quality looks quite impressive.

Not only the C20 Pico-projector is incredible compact, but it sets you free from your notebook. The integrated SDHC card reader gives you full access to multimedia contents, including audios, videos and pictures, in a normal or high capacity Micro SD card. You can also show presentations, videos and pictures directly from an USB flash disc, thanks to the USB Slide Show and USB multimedia functions. All these features take on-the-fly projection to an entire new level.

The new C20 Pico-projector combines DLP technology with RGB LED lamp technology, dramatically enhancing picture quality. LED technology offers several benefits over traditional lamps. First of all, it makes lamp replacement virtually unnecessary as LED lifetime lasts up to 20,000 hours; plus, the lack of breakable filaments or tubes increases durability. Combined with DLP, LED lamp technology delivers better color saturation and contrast performance.
When the ambient light do not necessitate full illumination you can also enable the EcoMode to extend the lifespan of LED and reduce power consumption.

Over time, projectors can be affected by colour decay that adds a yellowish or greenish shade to the images on screen. Now Acer’s projectors take advantage of ColorSafe II, DLP® technology and Acer unique colour compensation technology on the optical components to ensure picture integrity even after prolonged use, making them virtually immune to colour decay.

The Acer C20 Pico-projector is available now with an RRP of £279.99 Inc Vat.

Video concept after the cut

For instance, if you drop the Seabird flat on a table, it creates “wings” consisting of two split-QWERTY panes and a trackpad area underneath.  When on its pedestal dock, meanwhile, the projected keyboard is all one block.  A sinuously curved chassis keeps the projector lenses partially elevated, together with making the smartphone nestle into the hand.

Unfortunately, Mozilla maintains it has no plans to produce a smartphone or even a smartphone OS – this is just a design exercise.

That actually makes for a reasonable flexible pico-projector in its own right, and the iGo is capable of a 1200 x 800 picture in either 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio and with 20 ANSI lumens brightness.  Unfortunately it’s also a little more expensive than picos of recent months: Flip says it’ll be $349.99 when it arrives next month.

The two 8GB versions can store up to two hours of footage, while the 4GB models max out at an hour.  All but the cheapest UltraHD have image stabilization, and of course there’s the flip-out USB plug and preloaded copy of FlipShare for basic editing and uploading content.

The Flip Video UltraHD 4GB is $149.99 while the UltraHD 8GB is $199.99; the MinoHD 4GB is $179.99 while the MinoHD 8GB is $179.99.  They’re on sale today in various colors, or can be customized online at TheFlip.com.

Meanwhile Cisco has also kicked off a “Designed for Flip” accessories program, with various third-party companies taking advantage of the new FlipPort connector.  For instance, Blue Microphones will be offering the Mikey for Flip, an external microphone, while Scosche are readying a wireless clip-mic.  iGo have a new Pocket Projector accessory, a pico-projector which snaps onto the FlipPort for showing your footage at up to 70-inches.

Press Release:

Cisco Debuts All-New Flip Video Lineup

New Line Delivers Next-Generation Video Quality, Expanded Personalization Capabilities, and More Options for Fun
September 20, 2010 — San Francisco, CA
Cisco’s Flip Video™, the world’s leader in shoot-and share video cameras, today rolled out an all-new line of affordable UltraHD™ and MinoHD™ video cameras. These new video cameras feature Flip Video simplicity, enhanced HD video quality, hardware-based image stabilization, expanded product personalization options, and more ways to share video using pre-loaded FlipShare™ software. Flip also announced today Designed for Flip™, a new program offering fun accessories from a wide range of partners that include everything from wide angle lenses and external microphones to battery chargers and a portable projector (see separate release).

“This is without question the best line of Flip Video cameras we’ve ever created,” said Jonathan Kaplan, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco Consumer Products. “The new line combines Flip simplicity, affordability and fun with truly breakthrough video quality, image stabilization, and unlimited personalization options.”

Building upon the acclaimed Flip Video user experience — which makes it easy and fun for anyone to capture and share video — Flip Video’s new line has raised the bar again, by delivering amazing video quality without compromising Flip’s hallmark simplicity. By combining its innovative, always-on image stabilization technology with 720p resolution at 60 frames per second (fps), Flip now offers the consumer stunningly clear and steady video that’s both simple and affordable. The new Flip Video line is available nationwide starting at just $149.99, offering a video camera for every budget.

In addition, the entire Flip Video family is now available in personalized designs so Flip owners can express their own personal style with every Flip they buy, at no additional cost. Consumers can visit the Flip Online Store (TheFlip.com) to choose from thousands of designs from artists, celebrities, and iconic brands, or upload an image to create their own one-of-a-kind Flip video camera.

The new Flip video cameras also come pre-loaded with the latest version of FlipShare, which helps consumers easily organize, edit and share their videos. FlipShare upgrade now includes direct posts to Twitter™ – joining the convenient direct-share options already popular with Facebook™ and YouTube™. Flip Video users can count on stunning video no matter how they choose to view or share it – on a computer, their HDTV or using the simple direct uploads to social media sites.

New UltraHD Family
The world’s best-selling shoot-and-share video family – the Flip Video UltraHD – now offers two new models with even more reasons to own one. For the first time, the UltraHD line offers personalization through the Flip Online Store (TheFlip.com) with thousands of designs for users to create a video camera showcasing their own personal style. Along with always-on image stabilization and newly enhanced 720p/60 fps video quality, the new Flip Video UltraHD 2 hour also features a new slimmer design that fits easily in a pocket or purse. The UltraHD 2 hour is the first Flip video camera to feature FlipPort™ – a proprietary Flip-designed connector enabling new add-ons options as part of the newly announced Designed for Flip™ accessory program.

The new Flip Video UltraHD 1 hour is the first-ever HD Flip Video camera priced at $149.99. An industry top-seller and consumer favorite, this Flip offers more for less: one hour of high-quality HD video; Flip simplicity, no-hassle built-in memory; plus a choice of magenta, blue, white or thousands of unique designs.

New Flip MinoHD Line
The new MinoHD 1 hour and 2 hour video cameras are sleek and stylish with enhanced HD video quality. Like the new UltraHD 2HR, the new MinoHD video cameras now feature the built-in image stabilization and 720p/60 fps combination allowing consumers to capture incredibly clear and steady video. Flip customers can opt for black, silver or from thousands of designs at the Flip Online Store (TheFlip.com). To express their own personal style, consumers can easily upload their own image to create a one-of-a-kind Flip MinoHD video camera.

Availability
The new Flip video cameras will be broadly distributed and are available starting today at the Flip Video Store (www.TheFlip.com), Best Buy and Amazon.com and coming soon to Wal-Mart, Target and Staples.

Press Release:

Flip Video Expands Consumer Options with “Designed for Flip” Accessory Program

Shoot & Share Category Leader Offers New Ways to Extend the Fun with New Flip Accessories from Aquapac, Blue Microphones, Bower, iGo, Ikelite, Seagate and Scosche
September 20, 2010 — San Francisco, CA
Cisco’s Flip Video®, the shoot and share video camera leader, today announced an all-new accessory program called Designed for Flip™ to expand the Flip Video experience for consumers. New Designed for Flip accessories announced today include a range of products including: wide angle lens, two different types of enhanced external microphones, waterproof cases, battery chargers and a pocket projector.

“People choose Flip because it makes capturing and sharing video simple, affordable, and most of all, fun,” said Simon Fleming-Wood, senior director of marketing for Cisco’s Consumer Products. “The new Designed for Flip program extends the fun with more choices from leading accessory companies so Flip users can do more and go more places with their Flips.”

New Designed for Flip and FlipPort™
The all-new Designed for Flip line will debut several products starting today and then continue to roll out more accessories through the fall and beyond. The Flip Video Designed for Flip team is working with leading companies in multiple product segments to provide a wide selection of general purpose and specialized products for both current and future Flip video cameras.

A key component of the Designed for Flip initiative is a new Flip Video feature called FlipPort™. The FlipPort is a uniquely developed connector found on the bottom of the new Flip UltraHD 8 GB/2 hour video camera — also announced today — that will become a standard feature on future generations of Flip video cameras. The FlipPort, will allow a range of specialized accessories to easily plug right in to Flip video cameras and open up a world of new uses and creativity for consumers.

New Designed for Flip products using FlipPort include Mikey for Flip, from Blue Microphones™, a professional quality external microphone that lets Flip users capture even better sound quality ranging from a whisper to a rock concert. Scosche™ will also be offering a wireless lavaliere microphone that will enable up close audio ideal for interviews. iGo™ is also offering three new products: the Overtime Battery extender which doubles the Flip Video battery life; the Charge Anywhere power adapter can charge two products at once such as a Flip video camera and another USB accessory; and finally a new Pocket Projector will allow Flip owners to instantly project and watch their Flip video clips directly from the video camera anywhere and on any flat surface up to the size of a 70” TV. In addition, Seagate has plans to support Flip video cameras with FlipPort in the coming months.

For all Flip video cameras, the Designed for Flip accessory line also features a wide assortment of products to let users do more with their Flip. New accessories now available include Flip Waterproof cases from Aquapac®, which allow consumers to use their Flip video camera for activities such as sailing, snorkeling and skiing, a line of underwater cases from Ikelite™, ideal for scuba diving and a new magnetic Wide Angle Lens, from Bower™, that makes it easy to capture wide-angle video footage.

Pricing and Availability
Select Designed for Flip accessory products are available* today in the United States at the Flip Video Store (TheFlip.com) and will be coming soon to Amazon.com and other retailers.

For information about how to become a Designed for Flip developer, please contact developer@theflip.com.

It’ll be followed up by a WXGA 1366 x 768 version, with 25 lumens brightness, in late 2011.  A second version of the WVGA model, using a more powerful laser, will supposedly manage 20 lumens.  Power consumption is apparently around 1.8W, and the whole thing measures in at a compact 7mm thick.

Explay expect cellphones and digital cameras to be among the devices sporting their picos come early next year.  No word on how expensive each module is.

[via AV Watch]