DLP

Praytech Communication Technology (a Shenzhen, China based mobile phone maker) introduced two new DLP devices, a projector phone and a pico projector. We don't have any information about the phone, but it is reported that it will replace Praytech's older model which uses an LCoS light engine, and will be marketed to mobile network providers in India and China.

The pico projector uses an optical engine by iView which features 640x480 resolution and 12 lumens. It will be marketed by China Telecom, bundled with smartphones.

Oregon Scientific unveiled a new hinged pico projector prototype that features a DLP chipset (854x480), 80 lumens and 1,000:1 contrast. The projector has a hinged design - like WowWee's Cinemin Swivel projector.

The projector can be powered via a USB projector, but the brightness is limited to 50 lumens in that case. OS plans to launch the final product in the second half of 2012 for around $640 - which is very expensive for a pico projector. FAVI's A3 Wi-Fi for example costs just $399.

Here's a nice video from CES 2012 with a TI representative showing their DLP pico projector chips:

QP Optoelectronics announced a new and interesting device called the LightPad. It's an 11" display and keyboard that can connect to your phone (via an MHL or HDMI ports). The screen is powered from a DLP pico-projector, which can also be used to project on walls (up to 60" images). The first generation device will have a WVGA (854x480), 18 lumens projector, and QP-O is already working on the next generation which will provide 1280x720 and 50 lumens.

The LightPad will be officially launched at CES 2012, we'll have more details then.

A few weeks ago we reported about the Century Monolith - a new iPhone 4 case, battery and projector. This cool device is now shipping for $229.99 (under the Brookstone brand). The DLP projector features 640x360 resolution and 15 lumens, and the 1900mAh battery lasts for about 3 hours.

Update: The PK-320 is only shipping in Europe, but you can get it shipped to the US via Europe (that's the Amazon link we have below).

Optoma's PK-320 is now shipping - for $479. The PK320 is a 80 Lumens WVGA DLP pico projector - the brightest pico projector yet together with AAXA's P4. It has USB, VGA, HDMI and video inputs, and an internal media player (with a microSD card slot).

Acer's DLP USB pico-projector, the C110 is now shipping in the US (for $199). The C110 is a USB projector - which gets both power and data from the USB port (it needs a laptop to connect to). It's a WVGA (854x480) DLP projector that weights 175 grams and measures just 110x85x25 mm. It can project images from 12" to 100". It's been shipping in the UK for £162 ($260) for a few months now.