Tag Archives: projector

This compact triple laser projector immerses you in your favorite videos anywhere, anytime

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In addition to cutting the cord, some people have even banished TVs from their living rooms. No, that doesn’t mean that they’ve given up on watching videos on a larger screen completely. Instead, they have embraced the flexibility and freedom offered by the modern generation of home projectors, some of them even promising a more portable way to enjoy visual content. The latter, unfortunately, make many compromises for the sake of cramming hardware into a small package, resulting in an underwhelming experience that leaves owners wishing they had gone big instead. It’s almost as if people are cursed to forever be confined to small screens on the go and big TVs at home. Fortunately, the dream of a truly portable and high-performance laser projector is finally coming true, with the NOMVDIC L500, perhaps the world’s smallest Triple Laser Projector, that breaks free not only from cables but also from the limits of a compact and portable device.

Designer: NOMVDIC Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $699 $1,099 (36% off). Hurry, only 85/100 left!

In order to keep their chassis compact, portable laser projectors settle for small and low-power lamps or LEDs that can’t match the quality of a bulkier machine. The NOMVDIC L500, however, solves that problem by employing not one, not even two, but three RGB lasers, one for each of the three primary colors to deliver a wider spectrum of vibrant colors that’s three times more than your typical laser projector. By supporting 100% of the BT.2020 color gamut, the NOMVDIC L500 brings life-like visuals and more, whether you’re in a dark room at night or in the living room during the day.

NOMVDIC RGB Laser Technology – The L500 performs an excellent JBMA 95% uniformity and high contrast, and has been optimized to reduce speckle, all of which contribute to ultimate viewing quality.

Rich Colors Bright and Dark – Guarantees not only vivid images but also exceptional high brightness equivalent to a TV which provides you consistent viewing experience regardless of the time of day.

Impeccable Images from Any Angle – With the Time of Flight (ToF) sensor, the L500 achieves automatic and instant focus 2 times faster than traditional auto focus, allowing you to enjoy sharp and crystal-clear images in just a second.

Capture Every Moment of Excitement – Incredibly smooth and fluid motion on your screen. Experience sports, racing, and action games like never before with the L500’s MEMC frame interpolation technique.

With a brightness of 650 ANSI lumens, the NOMVDIC L500 can stand head-to-head with bulkier and more expensive projectors, letting you enjoy the same lush colors even with the lights on. A laundry list of smart, automatic features also takes the drudgery out of setting up the projector. Automatic and instant focus takes only a second or so to adjust to a new location, while auto H/V keystone and four-corner adjustment make sure you’ll be viewing the correct angle, no matter where you place the projector. And with MEMC frame interpolation, you are guaranteed smooth and fluid motions no matter how fast the action is on screen.

Of course, the perfect movie binge isn’t just about the visuals, and the NOMVDIC L500 has all your bases covered here as well. Built-in 7W Harman Kardon speakers immerse you in quality audio to match the visuals, and an easy-to-use interface lets you breeze through content and settings without getting lost in the options. A backlit Bluetooth remote control saves you from fumbling in the dark, while a plethora of connection options, including lightning-fast 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, and USB lets you bring any kind of content source, from phones to hard drives to gaming consoles. Even better, you can also connect your favorite Bluetooth headphones for a more private moment with your favorite flicks.

Just as the Internet and streaming services have freed us from cables and expensive subscription bundles, we no longer have to be tethered to a single large screen in the house whenever we want to escape into a world of action, drama, or fantasy. With the NOMVDIC L500’s innovative triple RGB lasers, you can now enjoy life-like visuals, high-quality audio, and hundreds of content, in any room, whatever the time of day.

Click Here to Buy Now: $699 $1,099 (36% off). Hurry, only 85/100 left!

The post This compact triple laser projector immerses you in your favorite videos anywhere, anytime first appeared on Yanko Design.

Acer Aspire Vero 15 laptop and Vero projector offer sustainable productivity and entertainment

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Modern life has become surrounded and dependent on consumer electronics, from the appliances we use day in and day out to the smartphone that almost never leave our hands. While these products bring convenience to our lives, they often come at the cost of the planet’s health, especially when we buy them left and right without considering where and how they are made. Fortunately, manufacturers are taking note and have started producing more eco-friendly options for consumers. In the midst of a new batch of computers and accessories, Acer is expanding its green Vero family with a 15-inch laptop and a brand-new laser projector to offer a more sustainable way to work, play, and enjoy life.

Designer: Acer

Acer Aspire Vero 15 Laptop

Although desktop computers still have a spot in the market, especially in gaming, most people prefer to have a laptop that they can bring with them outside or even just around the house. There is an almost overwhelming amount of models available across dozens of brands, making it difficult to pick one to buy. If you’re the type to be conscious of the impact of your purchases on the environment, then the new Acer Aspire Vero 15 AV15-53P is something you should look into.

Although it still has the conventional parts found in all laptops, the Aspire Vero 15 boasts a more eco-conscious design that brings the amount of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics used in the chassis from 30% to 40%. This chassis is also made with 30% fewer carbon emissions and doesn’t use paint for its eye-catching appearance. The laptop is also made to have an extended life thanks to standardized screws that simplify repairs and recycling when the inevitable happens.

Breaking misconceptions about products that use recycled materials, the Aspire Vero 15 doesn’t skimp on performance with a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, a spacious 15.6-inch Full HD screen, up to 16GB of memory, and up to 1TB of M.2 SSD storage. The Acer Aspire Vero 15 AV15-53P launches in June with a starting price of just $699.99.

Acer Vero Projector

There are many people these days who have replaced their TVs with home projectors for ultimate flexibility. This growing segment of consumer electronics represents an opportunity to start on the right foot with more sustainable practices from the get-go. There are plenty of areas where things can be improved, and Acer’s newest laser projector focuses on not only reducing energy consumption but also reducing your electricity bill.

The Acer Vero PL3510ATV projector touts an advanced laser-light projection system that promises 48% less power consumption thanks to the use of super laser phosphor illumination technology. Despite that lower figure, it still manages to put out a bright 4,800 ANSI lumens projection and sharp Full HD resolution. The mercury-free projector also uses 50% PCR plastic in its chassis to further reduce its overall impact on the environment.

In addition to its sustainability bragging rights, the Vero PL3510ATV projector also has some smart chops with 2D keystone and four-corner correction that automatically adjusts the projection to any viewing surface. In addition to directly connecting video sources, the projector also comes with an Android TV dongle for an even wider selection of things to watch or play. The Acer Vero PL3510ATV projector will be available only in EMEA markets starting in September for 1,399 EUR ($1,540).

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Dangbei Mars Pro 4K Laser Projector Review: Premium Experience in an Affordable Package

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PROS:


  • Stylish metal chassis with black piano surfaces

  • Effective auto keystone correction, focus, and obstacle detection

  • Impressive image quality and brightness

  • Wallet-friendly price tag compared to equivalent 4K projectors

CONS:


  • Tall box design requires more vertical space allowance

  • No USB-C port

  • No Google Play Support

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Packing high-end features in an attractive box with an alluring price tag, the Dangbei Mars Pro easily outshines its rivals in the 4K laser projector space.

While many people had cut the cord when it came to TV subscriptions, some have even completely cut out TVs from their living rooms. Of course, that doesn’t mean they no longer watch things on screens larger than their phones and laptops, just that they have chosen to embrace the more flexible and liberating setup of having a home projector instead. There are some compromises to be made, particularly when it comes to the projected image’s brightness and price. As you might expect, the better the performance, the higher the price tag. There are, however, exceptions to that rule, but it isn’t easy to spot them at a glance. The Dangbei Mars Pro easily catches your attention, though, so we took it for a test drive to check if it’s really worth more than what its price tag would seem to suggest.

Designer: Dangbei

Aesthetics

Right off the bat, you could already tell that the Dangbei Mars Pro isn’t your run-of-the-mill laser projector. Where even the most stylish of its kind come in short rectangular boxes, the Mars Pro arrives in a more cubical shape. This does mean you will have to take into account its height when setting it up, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue since it isn’t a short-throw projector. You will most likely set it up somewhere in the middle of the room, whether on a table or hanging from the ceiling.

Despite its budget price tag, the Mars Pro immediately impresses with its design and build quality. The box is mostly made from metal, with a serving of black piano glass on the top and on the front. Dangbei covers these surfaces with a plastic sheet for protection, but there are holes for the laser light and front sensors to have an unobscured path. The sides and back of the projector are littered with holes, both for ventilation and speaker output. The ports are all lined up neatly on the back for easy access, leaving no unnecessary visual breaks on other sides.

All-in-all, the Dangbei Mars Pro definitely stands up there with more expensive projectors when it comes to visual charm. The glossy surfaces and small ventilation holes give it a more refined flair compared to the typical slats and obviously plastic chassis of more expensive options. The Mars Pro already wins in this department, but, fortunately, it isn’t just a pretty face either.

Ergonomics

Unlike a mobile device or laptop, you won’t be handling projectors directly that often. In fact, you might not want to do that with the Mars Pro anyway, at least not regularly. Coming at around 10 lbs, it isn’t exactly the lightest in its group, so you’ll seldom want to carry it around the room. Its weight is also something critical to consider if you plan to hang it from the ceiling or place it on top of a tripod mount.

As mentioned, you won’t be interacting directly with the projector anyway. Aside from the ports on the back, the only other interactive element is the touch-sensitive power button on the top. This isn’t a typical push button, so there’s no need to press hard on it. The area is clearly indicated by a light halo that gives it a futuristic vibe. The center of this circle also has a sensor that detects the amount of ambient light in the room to automatically adjust the projector’s brightness.

All other controls for the projector will be done through the included remote control, which is a bit of a mixed bag. It is simple enough to use with very few buttons, though there are additional buttons for mouse mode and a quick menu on the side. The build quality, however, is so-so. While the projector is mostly made of metal and glass, its remote is a completely plastic affair. That might be for the best, considering how often you’re likely to drop it, but it does sharply contrast with the premium quality of the Mars Pro.

Performance

Where this Dangbei projector really shines, almost literally, is in its projected image. Using ALPD or Advanced Laser Phosphor Display technology, the projector boasts a brightness of 3200 ANSI lumens, which is a maximum brightness that only more expensive projectors can even promise. It also supports native 4K UHD resolution and HDR10+ as well as HLG, putting it on par with many TVs. The question is whether it can rival a 4K TV in practice. The answer is a resounding yes and then some.

The Mars Pro’s output is bright, crisp, and vibrant, especially in dark settings. Admittedly, it will struggle when there’s direct sunlight, but that’s also on par with pricier projectors. The projector supports a plethora of technologies and features that can be used for different types of content, like MEMC smoothing or even 3D, though the latter is a hit-or-miss kind of thing. It also has a Game Mode that reduces latency down to 20ms, but more discerning gamers might not be too satisfied with actual performance. Bottom line, the projector performs admirably, especially under controlled lighting, which might come as a shock if you consider how much more affordable it is compared to equivalent 4K projectors.

The premium experience doesn’t stop at image quality, though. The Dangbei Mars Pro has a couple of intelligent features that almost make it work like magic, automatically adjusting its settings depending on the situation. Autofocus is pretty much a given these days, but automatic keystone correction definitely upgrades the experience so that you don’t have to worry about the angle of the projector against a wall or screen. There’s also obstacle avoidance, where it shrinks the projected display to avoid lamps, vases, or other furniture. If it detects that there’s something directly in front of or near the lens, it will reduce the brightness to avoid hurting your eyes. All of these work automatically like magic, though you might have to do some fine-tuning if the focus or keystone is still a bit off for your tastes.

Like any projector, the Mars Pro generates heat, so it has both vents and fans to keep things cool. Cool air is sucked into the right side of the box while the hot air is pushed out from the left, something you might want to keep in mind when considering where to place the projector. Fortunately, the Mars Pro’s fans never get loud during its operation, and it definitely doesn’t overpower the built-in speakers. The only time the fans become very audible is when you turn on Auto Dust Cleaning mode, where it runs at full blast to get those particles out.

The Mars Pro boasts two 10W speakers with Dolby Digital Plus and DTS Studio Surround. That’s enough power to fill a small room, and the audio quality doesn’t get distorted even at higher volumes. While the speakers are good enough for most cases, it does lack a bit of substance that audiophiles will be looking for. Fortunately, you can remedy that by connecting your favorite sound system, but the built-in speakers will do well in a pinch.

Things get a bit less ideal when it comes to the system running on the projector, which is a very old, customized Android 9 version. The Mars Pro definitely has the hardware to run more sophisticated software with its quad-core MT9669 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage, but Dangbei opted to favor a more simplified user experience. It does have the basic apps and streaming services pre-installed, but you’ll have to scour the Internet for anything that’s not available on Dangbei’s app store. There’s no Google Play, of course, though it might be possible to install it manually. Of course, you can plug in any other content source, including a Google TV dongle, if you so wish. The only limitation in its selection of ports is USB-C, which is a little bit disappointing in this time and age.

Sustainability

The Dangbei Mars Pro projector is your typical consumer electronics product, which basically means it has your typical components that hurt the environment in the long run. It does score a little better thanks to its use of a metal chassis rather instead of plastic. There are glass parts as well, but the plastic covering on these nullifies that advantage.

In terms of longevity, Dangbei only gives a one-year warranty off the bat, but you might have options to buy additional years depending on where you’re buying it from. Laser projectors are admittedly short-lived products, even with the advertised 25,000 hours of lamp life. Sadly, they aren’t trivial to repair either, especially if the product is coming from another region of the world. Parts and services will be a big consideration for those who are a bit more conscious of how much use they want to squeeze out of a projector.

Value

If it hasn’t been that clear yet, the Dangbei Mars Pro 4K projector is right up there with other 4K projectors. The 3200 lumens brightness, intelligent correction and configuration options, and overall performance all mark it as a premium product. The kicker is that it isn’t priced like one, selling for only $1,699 (or $1,799 from Amazon).

Admittedly, that’s a large figure, but only if you take it in isolation. A “regular” 4K laser projector with the same feature set or performance easily costs almost double that amount. Conversely, projectors with that price tag often have too many compromises, especially in terms of picture quality. You’ll also have to consider that 4K UHD TVs cost just as much, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that will be able to cover the same 100-inch maximum space as this projector can.

Verdict

Choosing consumer electronics is often a case of choosing compromises, whether it’s in performance, quality, or price. Rarely will you find a gem that hits all three with very little compromise. When one does pop up, it’s not hard to understand why the Internet would be abuzz about something so rare and almost unbelievable. The Dangbei Mars Pro 4 Laser Projector is definitely one such rare creature. Not only does it deliver on its promises, it actually looks good doing so, making that price tag so much sweeter for anyone planning a TV-free entertainment setup at home.

The post Dangbei Mars Pro 4K Laser Projector Review: Premium Experience in an Affordable Package first appeared on Yanko Design.

This odd wireless charger concept is actually a portable projector in disguise

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Humans have never been busier or more distracted than ever. While technology affords us many conveniences, it also generates some negative effects on our psyches. One of the favorite examples of this phenomenon is smartphones, whose power sometimes comes at the cost of burdening our minds with incessant notifications and the lure of instant gratification. Sometimes, these devices even completely erase the already blurry line between work and personal time. Sometimes we just need to kick back and relax without our smartphones, but that’s almost impossible if we consume our entertainment from those small screens. It’s in that vein that this attractive yet eccentric device tries to make that happen and does so in an effective yet admittedly unconventional way.

Designers: Gabin Park, janchi

Many people these days use their phones for entertainment, whether it’s for music, gaming, or even videos. In fact, most entertainment services these days have a mobile-first policy in attempts to target a much wider market than TV or PC owners. That said, even those who binge on Netflix will probably want to see those videos on a larger screen at home, but only if it were convenient and painless. That leaves out having to buy a smart TV just to access those streaming services or using the rather complicated process of “casting” your content from phone to TV.

The SILO design concept tries to offer a solution by using a laser beam projector for that purpose. Granted, there are plenty of portable home projectors these days that can wireless connect to smartphones. What this concept does differently is that it actually takes the phone out of your hand as well. A slot for a smartphone functions as a wireless charger, leaving you really free to give not just your mind but also your body a break.

Think about it. Streaming videos from your phone to a projector will eat up your battery quickly, and most people will plug their phone into a charger anyway. With SILO, the same device is both the projector and the charger, simplifying the process. At the same time, it forces people to actually detach from their phones, which is the point of enjoying videos away from the phone’s small screen in the first place.

SILO is both a place for storing and charging a phone as well as a way to isolate it from your life. It also looks quite attractive to boot, with a simple shape that doesn’t call too much attention to itself. There are, of course, some technical details that need to be ironed out, such as thermal management for two types of devices that are known to generate a lot of heat, but it’s an interesting concept nonetheless and one we wish would become a real product someday.

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Philips debuts the Screeneo U5, an affordable short-throw 4K projector for under $1800

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Kept at a distance of just 16 inches from any surface, the Philips Screeneo U5 turns your wall into a whopping 150-inch 4K theater that’s also 3D-capable! Setting up a cinema in your compact home was never this easy, and at a price of $1790, never this economical either…

The Philips Screeneo U5 comes on the heels of its previous generation, the Screeneo U4, which debuted earlier this year and garnered over $6.5 million in funding on Indiegogo. Making projectors (a 4K one, no less) for the mass market is expensive, prompting Philips to go down the route of crowdfunding. The strategy has worked well for the company, allowing them to gauge demand and build out great devices for enthusiastic early adopters. While the U4 was pretty impressive on its own, the Screeneo U5 pushes its specs to the absolute limit, with a larger projection, 2x higher resolution, nearly 6x more brightness, and highly-awaited support for Android TV and built-in ExpressVPN.

Designer: Philips

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,790 $3,476 ($1,686 off) Hurry, less than 5 days left!

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

Ultra Short Throw projectors are absolutely perfect for smaller houses, given the fact that they don’t need to be placed at a distance. Just have the projector a foot away from the wall and you’ve pretty much got yourself a large display that’s perfectly rectangular (keystone correction) and doesn’t get overshadowed every time someone walks across the room. The one drawback to Ultra Short Throw projectors, up until now, has been their price – something that Philips has been steadily working on reducing with the Screeneo line that debuted first in 2013.

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

Simply put, the Screeneo U5 can cast a 120-inch projection on a wall when kept a mere 11 inches away… although push that distance up to 16 inches (if you’ve got the space) and you now have a whopping 150-inch 4K UHD projection covering your entire peripheral vision. The U5 bumps up the projector’s brightness to an impressive 2,200 ANSI lumens too, allowing you to watch movies or the game in both day and at night without struggling to see the picture. Worried about having to set the brightness each time? The U5 also has an auto-dimming feature that’ll adjust the brightness based on the ambient light around, protecting your eyesight.

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

Place the projector against a wall and the Screeneo U5 pretty much handles the rest. Its keystone correcting abilities mean that it’ll ensure your screen is perfectly rectangular no matter what, and a unique 8-point calibration system allows you to further tweak and adjust the picture to account for any imperfections on your wall or projector screen.

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

The Screeneo U5 is a major upgrade from its predecessor, now with a 4K resolution, higher brightness, and better colors. Dolby Vision and HDR 10 ensure better clarity, higher contrasts, and richer colors, while FlowMotion 4 helps upscale frame rates to make even older videos (or videos shot on lower frame rates) buttery smooth. The projector runs a 60Hz refresh rate, making it incredible for gaming too, and even though 3D TVs have been rather dead for a while now, the Screeneo U5 surprises with 3D projection capabilities, literally bringing the movie theater to your home. (Overpriced popcorn not included)

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

The one feature that really sets the U5 apart is the fact that it also packs an absolute punch in the audio department. Equipped with 2.2 Channels, 20 watts, and a dedicated DSP, the U5 brings powerful Dolby Atmos audio to the viewing experience, combining larger-than-life audio with booming sound that you wouldn’t really expect from a projector, but will come to appreciate while watching movies, matches, or music videos.

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

Unlike the U4, which didn’t have any smart TV interface built-in, the U5 comes with AndroidTV and Chromecast, but pushes the bar even further with ExpressVPN pre-installed on the OS for access to geo-restricted content – a feature that’s absolutely game-changing for most media devices today. However, the presence of multiple ports including 2 HDMI, 2 USB-A, and one VGA port ensures you can plug anything from your old laptop to your thumb drive into the U5 to access local files. There’s a LAN port to connect your projector to a wired network, and a 3.5mm jack just in case you have better speakers lying around. Just in case, the U5 comes with Bluetooth 5.1 too, letting you connect wireless speakers as well. Like its predecessor, the Screeneo U5 also comes with a multimedia remote that makes navigating the interface much easier.

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

The Philips Screeneo U5 is currently crowdfunding on Indiegogo and has raised nearly $3 million as of writing this article. Its previous campaigns, the Screeneo U4 ultra short throw projector, and the Philips PicoPix Max pico-projector were runaway successes too, receiving support from more than 25 thousand backers. While there’s always an inherent risk with crowdfunding, one could argue that Philips has much more brand value than most campaign creators, so rest assured your money is in reliable hands. To sweeten the deal, however, Philips is offering a Cyber Week 48% discount to its backers by letting them procure the Screeneo U5 for a reduced price tag of $1,790 USD (€1,699 EUR). The Screeneo U5 comes with a 2-year warranty and begins shipping in March 2023.

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

Philips Screeneo U5 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,790 $3,476 ($1,686 off) Hurry, less than 5 days left!

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“Newtro” beam projector gives off old-school, minimalist aesthetic

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If you didn’t know it yet, there is a growing segment in South Korean society called Generation MZ which is a catch-all term for anything that is beloved by younger millennials and Gen Z-ers. So basically these are things that people in the 80s and the current generation agree on. A lot of these segments are also into the “newtro” or modernized retro things. So any product that wants to target them will have to make old things new again, and in the process, even the older generations become interested.

Designer: YU ID

muTurn is one such product concept that wants to encompass the idea of “newtro” and also other things like nostalgia, minimalism, and media multi-functionality. It is a beam projector and Bluetooth speaker in one that wants to give off classic vibes with its design. There is a spinning disc effect that rotates whenever you’re projecting something onto your all which brings back memories of old-school film projectors. It’s really more of a design thing than an actual rotating film but it gives you the desired effect.

The effect can also serve as a mood light in case you need additional lighting while viewing whatever it is you’re projecting or just to add some light to the room. The volume control on the projector also uses some old-school mechanisms but hopefully should work like a regular volume control should. The remote control meanwhile can serve also as a modular Bluetooth speaker for the video’s three-dimensional audio needs as it comes with a built-in cradle or stand.

The muTurn beam projector has a minimalist and old-school design so even if you’r not using it to project anything, you get a piece of decorative accessories to fit your newtro aesthetic. This is a concept that I’d definitely like to see in action.

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This Bluetooth projector tries to bring the metaverse to your room

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Although the hype around the buzzword seems to have dialed down a bit, it’s hard to deny that the metaverse or something like it will eventually become our reality. The merging of the physical and the digital is something that will happen eventually, pending the development of hardware and people’s mindsets. Most of the rhetoric around the metaverse involves placing ourselves in the digital realm through avatars. It can, however, also involve placing digital assets into our physical spaces. That could become possible with holograms of the future, but until then, this stylish home projector system could bridge the gap by transporting some parts of the metaverse into your living room or bedroom.

Designer: Gyung Min Lee

Home projectors have become trendy these days, especially for people pressed for space or simply want to have flexibility. Naturally, these projectors prioritize displaying videos and sometimes photos on a rectangular space that recreates a TV screen. Their primary target, after all, is entertainment, so their designs and hardware are geared toward that purpose. The Light House projector concept might be capable of that as well, but its raison d’être is really to set the mood in a room with different visuals and, if needed, different worlds.

Rather than a typical box-type projector, Light House is made of one or two cylindrical projectors hanging from a pole stand. It has a typical projector lens in the middle, surrounded by an array of six bright LED lights. Together, these pieces can project not only images but also different colors that match a specific theme or mood.

While Light House can probably function as a normal projector for watching videos, it really shines in transforming a room into a lively party or a calming space. The ambient lights can set the mood, flooding the area with vibrant colors or soothing hues as desired. It can even try to recreate natural light, giving you a proper wake-up call while mimicking the sunrise.

The metaverse comes into play when you start projecting virtual objects onto walls, ceilings, and floors. Rather than having your avatar go to a beach or into space, you can bring those scenes right into your bedroom. Of course, you can also project screens and other pieces of UI that show information, though you won’t be able to interact with them directly except through a smartphone or a computer.

Although it’s not the most efficient use of a projector, Light House makes an interesting proposition on how we can build a bridge between the real and the virtual without having to wear headsets or touch screens. We’re still a long way from creating convincing room-wide holograms, so until then, we’ll have to make do with projectors like these, though hopefully with some form of hand gesture control in the near future.

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Handheld interactive projector explores open-sourcing hardware concepts

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When you’re playing a video game on your smartphone, there are some limitations due to the size of the screen. It’s hard to show someone else your moves unless you’re comfortable with them looking over your shoulder. It’s the same thing when you want to show someone a video or when you want to create something while collaborating with some other people. The obvious solution would be to project it on a bigger screen or on a wall. There are now more options and product concepts out there to make this a reality.

Designer: Manyone Design

Minimax is a handheld interactive projector that is more portable and easier to use. It is shaped like a bigger and fatter Playstation controller. It’s shaped like that as you will need to place your smartphone inside of it and the content from your device is the one projected on the wall. There are no technical details on how that will work but it’s supposed to have spatial and object tracking capabilities so it’s not just simply a regular projector.

What also makes this device different is that it’s exploring the potential of open-sourced hardware when it comes to creating new products. From the ideation stage to the development stage and eventually, to the production stage, each step is actually recorded and shared online so they are able to get comments and feedback from those who may be interested in working with this project. Based on the feedback, they were able to create prototypes and test the Minimax out as well.

It’s still too early in the project to say if this handheld projector will work for a wider audience and if mass-producing it can actually be feasible. It is an interesting project though. There should probably also be a stand or some kind of tripod option as I for one would not want to be holding it the entire time I’m using it.

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This modular controller comes with a built-in projector for gaming anytime, anywhere

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Gaming has evolved from the plain simple maneuvering of the pixelated characters on the screen to something that’s ultra-immersive. The end game, well, a metaverse reality that blurs the lines between the real world and the more lucrative virtual reality where you can be a jacked-up dude with the sexiest bikes on the planet.

A multipurpose gaming controller that is equally good for casual gaming and Metaverse adventures is what the industry demands. Concepts like the Modulus Controller or the MOZER Gamepad bring an added dimension of functionality to gaming exploits, and another one joins the ranks for its unique proposition.

Designer: Hayong Kim

Vi-Con controller is a concept gaming accessory targeted at geeks who love an all-in-package to enjoy gaming anywhere, anytime. The USP here is a controller that’s capable of projecting gaming action onto any wall without the need to buy any dedicated projector. The idea makes logical sense in times where cloud gaming is picking up pace, with Metaverse entertainment joining the ranks pretty aggressively.

This gaming controller has the gamepad buttons and joysticks just like the popular Xbox and Sony options. The similarity ends there as the detachable controller separates into two halves to be used for AR and VR applications, just like the HTC Vive, Sony PS Move, or the Samsung Gear VR controller does. Even better, the middle half is a portable projector to beam gaming content onto any plain surface for gamers to enjoy.

If you want to keep the controller in a completely tethered position – just like the Xbox 360 – it just works fine to perform double duty as a projector too. The controller has built-in OIS and EIS functionality to keep the beamed projection as stable as it could be. For added flexibility, the angle of the projector can be adjusted via the rollable structure and the slide button. The Vi-Con also stacks in speakers to eliminate the need for a portable speaker to carry in your backpack when heading over to your buddy’s place for a gaming night out!

The post This modular controller comes with a built-in projector for gaming anytime, anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

HD projector merges with a ceiling lamp and a built-in smart speaker, creating a space-saving entertainment centre

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And now I’m wondering, why didn’t someone think of this before?

Brands have gone crazy innovating and designing projectors: 4k projectors, laser projectors, pocket projectors, short throw projectors, the list is endless. While being through all these variants, I’m not sure why someone didn’t choose the option to embed a projector into a lighting unit in the ceiling so it could project without hindrance? XGIMI for some reason was struck by the idea and the company has churned out the innovative projector, which I’m not sure how convincing it is in performance, but it certainly has me floored by its ceiling-worthy functionality.

Born out of thought above the rest; the XGIMI Magic Lamp is designed to function as a projector, a ceiling light, and a Bluetooth speaker all-in-one. The ceiling-mounted full HD (1,920 x 1,080) DLP projection system has its own 8W Harman Kardon speaker built-in. The smart speaker is compatible with voice assistant, supports Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual X, and helps in creating immersive theatre-esque experiences. Onboard is also a LED room lamp; this dimmable lamp features 176 LED mood lights.

Designer: XGIMI

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The XGIMI Magic Lamp is currently on sale in China for 7,999 yuan (roughly $1,100). For the ones in Europe willing to shell out their dosh for this interesting ceiling projector; XGIMI is expected to showcase it at the IFA 2022 in Berlin next month. Before you make up your mind, here is a little about the projector’s ability. Capable of a 0.71 transmittance ratio, the Magic Lamp can project a 100-inch picture in 1080p resolution from 1.5 meters away. The projector delivers a very modest 900ANSI lumens of brightness, which should be fine if you have a closed room with little natural light.

XGIMI Magic Lamp for its projection prowess is powered by a MediaTek quad-core processor, and an AI engine supported by 4GB of RAM and 32 gigs of onboard storage. The internal storage ensures you can install a few streaming apps to play content when you want. Even if the XGIMI Magic Lamp is not the best projector, it is a capable multifunction device, which will by virtue of this placement in the ceiling ensure there are no shadows on the screen as people move about in the room!

The post HD projector merges with a ceiling lamp and a built-in smart speaker, creating a space-saving entertainment centre first appeared on Yanko Design.