Below are pictures of a concept phone (mozilla-seabird, not avail.) that uses Dual-pico projectors to create a virtual keyboard and screen. This set up, not only creates a portable desk-top experience, but the projection keyboard leaves limitless possibilities for bringing full ports of pc classics, like 'Company of Heroes' ........... If apple implemented this tech into the iphone5, it could shift the ambitions and goals of current developers, and create a whole new genre of touch-interactive games. Even better, a full version of OSX running on an iphone (dual-boot). This would definitely 'drop-the-jaws' of the press at the next iPhone event, if Apple introduced this.
Just a concept. I doubt they even have a working demo of a phone with all these projectors which doesnt look like a brick. All they seem to have right now is a good concept artist with a lil photoshopping skills. Even the ipad doesnt run full OSX yet.
I'm not sure about that, but I know they do have CGI Youtube videos that show how to implement the tech. If you type in "Mozilla Seabird," you will find a 2d version, and a 3d (red/cyan) version. As for Mac OSX, I believe it can be possible within a year or two. 1. The newest version of OSX will be sharing features similar to iOS, with the introduction of the app store being the main focus for MAC-related software. 2. Yes, OSX requires some processing power. However, with the introduction of dual-core processors for smart phones being introduced next year, the possibilities of running a full OS are not too far off. 3. New technologies thrive. I remember when the iPad was revealed, that it received mostly negative press from the tech community saying "what's the need?" Now it's selling like hot-cakes. It is, slowly but surely, taking the place of the laptop for portable computing. .... Now Imagine not needing a laptop or tablet, because all of your computing needs can fit into your pocket, including the feel of a true desktop being projected with pico-lasers. Trust me on this, it is no gimmick. It will be a lot more practical and accepted, than 3D-lcd screens. The original article on the concept phone stated that the technology already exists, but would be over-priced in an already sub $300, saturated, smart-phone market. Until manufacturers can design these in a way that is cost effective to them, if created, they would only be a novelty for the affluent.
Ya, its just a cool concept design and not really a project. Maybe we'll see something like this someday. Phones with projectors out there in the market currently are no where near the quality of this though.
There's a Samsung phone that came out earlier in the year with a projector - it sucked though. And I really don't see projected light keyboards being popular.
Not only will it not become a reality, that sort of technology will never make it into the iPhone for three big reasons: 1) Pico projectors aren't tiny. They'd have to make the phone much larger to accomodate them. 2) Projection keyboards have been around for years now. They suck. They're no better for gaming than on-screen controls - actually, they're worse, as there is a lag between the time you press one of the keys, the camera picks it up and the system interprets it. It's very small but it's enough to make gaming impractical. 3) Running one or two pico projectors plus the camera would suck battery life like crazy.
I'm pretty sure they said that about cell phones 8-years ago.****** 1. "Mp3 players aren't tiny, they're too big to integrate into a cell-phone." 2. "Digital Cameras are too big, and would consume too much battery to combine with a cell-phone." 3. "A portable MAC in your pocket (aka, iphone) is too impractical for the mass market" ******* What is considered impractical technology today, will be the standard of tomorrow.
Operative phrase: Eight years ago. Meaning, eight years is a long time in the sense of technology. You're acting as if this is right around the corner (thread title's reference to the iPhone 5). Apple's priorities could change in eight years, new developments in technology could make the need for such a phone void, etc. This isn't going to happen tomorrow, like Mindfield said. You're making references to the proverbial iPhone 10 here.
I got this email a few years ago but I don't think the masses are ready to set up their projector phones do play games or even Watch movies with it is cool stuff though
