Magnasonic has introduced its newest pico projector, the LED Pocket Pico Projector. According to the maker, this is the smallest projector of its kind, and while it won’t be taking on the quality of full-size projectors, it does come in a pocket-friendly form factor, allowing you to toss it in your bag and use it whenever the need arises.
Computers the size of small boxes or overgrown smartphones aren't exactly new, but very few are really portable enough that they can be used even without access to a wall socket. One such rare find was the Kangaroo PC, which launched a little more than three months ago. Now InFocus, the maker of Kangaroo, has decided to take things up a notch a bit. Introducing the Kangaroo Plus, the same PC the size of a smartphone but now with twice the RAM and twice the storage.
It is, of course, inevitable, though probably something we didn't expect to happen soon. Intel's Compute Stick, which turns any display with an HDMI port into a PC, is barely a year old. It came with Windows 8.1 naturally, which makes it eligible for a Windows 10 update any time soon, depending on your luck at the reservation queue. It seems, however, that Intel might have a treat for those impatient to get their hands on the latest Windows, with a Windows 10 version of the HDMI dongle just around the corner.
Computers are getting smaller and smaller. Just look at the ones in your pocket or even on your wrist. Even traditional PCs now have "nano" and "pico" sizes that can fit in almost any nook and cranny or even in your pocket. And Cloudsto's two new X86 Nano PCs might be something you will indeed carry around with you. Because aside from running a full Windows 8.1 or Ubuntu OS, the small computer actually has its own battery to power it up away from a socket. It can even charge your smartphone on a pinch.
Pico PC's like Zotac's ZBOX lines may be exactly that, tiny, but they aren't completely portable despite their portable size. They are, at the very least, tethered to a power supply to be even useful. One rather intriguing new product, however, tries to address that limitation. This odd GULEEK i8 "Windows 8.1 Smart Google TV Player" indeed comes with almost everything other pico computers have to offer with just a single but very important difference. It has its own 3,000 mAh battery inside.
Zotac is on a roll with its Windows-powered "pico" desktop computers. Popular for delivering small computers, some of which run Linux or are powered by ARM processors, Zotac has lately been delving into tiny boxes that run Windows 8.1 right out of the box, pardon the pun. Last month saw the rise of the BI320, its first Windows 8.1 mini box. Now we have the ZBOX PI320, with an even more powerful processor and a price tag that matches its extremely portable body.
Pico projectors, such as the Shine above, offer projection in a smaller form factor than traditional projectors, and as technology improves, they are more able to handle brighter conditions and offer larger, crisper output. Sony is one such pioneer in this field, and has recently unveiled its new pico projector module offering HD resolution and free-focus projection.
Samsung's efforts with the Galaxy Beam were valiant, but the device itself disappeared into the abyss with no real impact on the market. However, Samsung is trying it again, but this time they're making a dedicated Pico Projector accessory built to be compatible with the company's Galaxy line of products.
Acer's latest projector was finally released today for those keeping an eye out on the pico projector market. This palm-sized USB-powered projector has more than just its small size going for it too. Announced at CES and released today for $259 we have all the specs and more below for those interested in powering presentations with nothing more than a USB port on their Acer laptop.
Pico and pocket projectors have continued to evolve and improve and are become increasingly popular. While just a few short years ago the thought of having 50 lumens of brightness on a battery powered device seemed out of reach. 3M has continued to bring the latest and greatest in projectors to the table. It might not be the brightest, or last the longest but they've found a great happy medium with the MP220.
For a while we thought smartphones would start to adopt the idea of having built-in projectors but that never hit the mainstream. For those still looking for such an option and have a new iPhone 4S loaded full of pictures and videos of friends or family Brookstone has you covered. Showing off their iPhone 4(S) DLP projector case sleeve at CES 2012.
We've seen our fair share of pico and pocket projectors here at SlashGear, but recently we've had the pleasure to work with and review one of the most portable and brightest of them all, a pico with an 80 lumen engine -- the AAXA P4 Pico Projector. There are many different uses for a portable projector and whether they are an expensive toy, or a needed accessory is up to you. Head on down for some pictures and hands-on video of this little projector in action.
