PicoProjector-info

In the holidays and end-of-the-year spirit, here are the top 10 stories posted on PicoProjector-Info in 2011, ranked by popularity (i.e. how many people read the story):

1. Best selling pico-projector update (February 2011) (Feb 1)
2. Microvision, major auto-maker to co-develop and integrate a laser pico-projector HUD (Jul 21)
3. Microvision confirms Oyap's Panda laser pico-projector (Jul 21)
4. Microvision announces 2Q 2011 results (Jul 21)
5. Oyap to release a laser pico projector with a built-in media player (Jun 29)
6. BenQ's DV-S11 projector camcorder is now shipping for $229 (Jun 30)
7. Best selling pico-projector update (July 2011) (Jul 2)
8. Soraa announces improved green and blue lasers (Jul 19)
9. Intel to distribute and resell Microvision's laser pico projectors (Jul 28)
10. Some more info on TU's head-tracking motorized pico-projector gaming setup (Jun 29)

Here's for an awesome 2012. May you all enjoy the holidays!

Our sister-site OLED-Info launched a new book today - The OLED Handbook. This is a comprehensive guide to OLED technology, market and industry. There is a growing interest in OLEDs - from all over the world, and this guide can help introduce the subject quickly and throughly.

Reading this book, you'll learn all about:

• OLED technology and materials
• What kind of OLED displays are available today
• What is a Super AMOLED and a Clear Black display
• All about OLED lighting technology
• OLED lighting panels and lamps available today
• The future of OLED displays and lighting
• And lot's more!

The nice guys at 3M sent us another projector to review, the MP180 - their top-of-the-line pico projector. The MP180 offers SVGA (800x600) resolution, 30 lumens, a built-in media player (with 4GB internal memory and a microSD slot) supporting photos, movies and office documents, a touch display, Wi-Fi, a built-in browser and bluetooth to transfer files. It's bigger and heavier than previous models, and costs $435. But is it any good?

Lately we published a lot of news from Syndiant... and I've got a couple of e-mails from readers asking whether our site is somehow "affiliated" with them. So yes, we do have a great relationship with Syndiant and yes, they are an advertiser on our site - but that's it. We're always happy to publish pico-projector related news, articles and interviews - and it's great that Syndiant is willing to share so much information with our community.

In fact, we'll be happy to do so with anyone. So here's a "call for content" - if you've got news to share, technical information, photos, videos or even a short interview,  please let us know!

A few days ago Syndiant sent us some updates from CES - a lot of new design wins. Today they have sent a lot more information. Syndiant says that the following impressive list of projectors were exhibited at CES, all using their SVGA (800x600) microdisplays:

• Philips Picopix line of pico projectors
• 3M MP160
• Foxconn ia2bp wi-fi projector
• ACTO (a WinCE based 1024x600 pico-projector)
• JC (ZHEJIANG JINCHENG SCI & TECH) micro projector
• AAXA L1v2 laser pico-projector
• Fujitsu set-top cable box with a built-in monochrome (green) pico projector (aimed towards emerging economies - this is basically a cheap large-size TV).
• Aiptek T25

The Shoot 'n Share (SNS for short) is a projector-camcorder that 3M has just started selling for $299. They were kind enough to send us a review unit. The SNS records HD (720p) video to a microSD card and can also take 8mp still photos. Beside the 2.4" LCD display it's got a 14 lumens, VGA pico-projector (LED LCoS). The SNS looks just like the Aiptek Z20 pocket cinema, but 3M says it is customized differently (Here's a side-by-side comparison).

Microvision is one of the most interesting pico-projector companies, with their Laser-Beam-Steering projector module. They have just started selling the Show-WX pico projector (available for $549). Michael Fritts, VP of Global Sales, Marketing and Business Development has agreed to answer a few questions.

Michael has responsibility for developing the global new products team, establishing partnerships and collaborations and building market awareness, to commercialize products. Before Microvision, Michael worked for GE for over 20 years, has completed the Executive M.B.A. program at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Q: Michael - first of all, thank you for this interview. The SHOW-WX is now shipping in a few countries, and is available in the US too. Are you happy with the sales so far? Do you have any customer feedback?

Yes, we’re pleased with the sales results. In fact, we recently released our first quarter results and reported a record backlog of $16.7 million, primarily for products based on our PicoP technology, including the ShowWX product. And yes we have feedback and it's been very positive.