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Researchers from Germany and the US are suggesting a new interaction system called LightBeam. The idea is to use a pico projector to track and interact with objects. The researchers suggest to use robust tracking to follow movements and rotations of objects (of any shape and surface), visualization that is adapted to the surface size of the object and interaction based on real objects (they show a mug that you rotate to switch between applications) - that last bit is really cool. Here's a video demonstration:

On the video's bottom left you can see the pico projector and the web cam. It seems to be an AAXA L1 laser projector.

LG is about to announce a new mobile phone, the Optimum Vu. It will have a 5" display (4:3, interestingly). Rumors say that this phone will include a pico projector. Here's the video teaser LG released:

If true, this won't be LG's first projector phone: back in 2009 the company offered the LG eXpo, a QWERTY slider Windows Mobile 6.5 phone that had a DLP projector accessory.

Here's a nice interview with Syndiant's VP sales & marketing - Keith Lewis. The interview is from the "Grow Your Business" channel - by Microsoft ERP, so most of the talk is about Syndiant's supply chain and how they manage it, but it is still interesting:

The Way-Go flashlight is a prototype device by Sriranjan Rasakatla that combines a laser pico projector, a GPS and altitude and heading reference system. Way-Go can be a simple flashlight - but the idea is that it can also show you which way to go (you have to input your destination location of course), and also display information about your local area while you walk with it. Rasakatla says this can be used for search and rescue parties, trekking and tour guides.

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

Here's a nice video showing Microvision's new PicoMagic interactive (touch) laser pico projector platform:

And here's a photo showing the actual device (opened):

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.