Optoma To Launch "World's First" Pico Projector in 2008 [Pico]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/314617808/optoma-to-launch-worlds-first-pico-projector-in-2008

Optoma is winning the race to build the world's first pico-projector, the near-mythical mini projector that can throw up a display much larger than the source device's—think iPods, digital cameras and smartphones—screen. Optoma's pico will use the DLP chipset, support composite video quality and run on Li-ion batteries. The projector will make it to market later this year in Europe and Asia, before coming stateside in 2009. No word on pricing, press release after the jump. [Optoma]

Optoma Introduces World's First Pico Handheld Projector
Based on Texas Instruments' DLP Pico® Chipset, Features Sleek Design and Extreme Portability

LAS VEGAS, NV (June 18, 2008) – Optoma, a leading manufacturer of award-winning digital projection and display devices, introduces the first Pico projector based on the DLP Pico chipset. Smaller than most smart phones, this new micro-portable projector fits in your palm and is the ideal companion to ultra-portable media devices such as iPods®, PDA's, smart phones and digital cameras.

When connected to an ultra-mobile device, the four-ounce Optoma Pico Projector allows users to share photos and videos, and enjoy a far better visual experience with an image that is up to 100 times larger than the small screen of the source device.

"The Pico Projector is the next step in sharing visual media for today's ultra-mobile consumers. Fitting in your shirt pocket, the Pico Projector can display pictures, videos or any content from a mobile media player or smart phone" says Jon Grodem, director of Product Management for Optoma. "Optoma's Pico breaks free from the limitations of the 2 or 3 inch displays found on today's mobile devices. This category defining projector creates a ne! w benchm ark for sharing content-on-the-go."

Optoma's Pico Projector utilizes the latest LED technology resulting in a colorful and vivid image. The small and powerful unit is based upon DLP technology assuring the highest possible contrast.

"The handheld Pico projector represents the latest advancement in the mobile device display industry. We view the Pico projector as a completely new and exciting market – one which dramatically expands the reach and potential of projection products into new end user applications," says Dr. William Coggshall, founder and president of Pacific Media Associates.

The product will be first shown at Texas Instrument's InfoComm 2008 booth C909 and will be available in limited distribution in Europe and Asia in late 2008, with a worldwide launch in 2009.