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Cell Phone with Built-in Projector
karvind writes "Siemens researchers have developed a cell phone featuring a built-in projector system. A laboratory model was presented at CeBIT 2005 in Hanover. The system makes it possible to project a complete keypad or display onto a surface. With a special pen, users can write on the virtual keypad and operate the phone's functions. Other projection keyboard concepts can be found here and here"
I want a 1280x1024 projector. They're just projecting a keyboard.
Anyone who has ever used these type of keyboards knows you need a completely steady surface, it needs to be semi-dark so you can see the keyboard, and it hurts the hell out of your fingers to type on a non-giving surface.
None of these aspects are well-suited for portable typing. I want a SELMA hologram for my portable electronics interaction.
How far does this thing project? Can I set it up across the room and have giant keyboard that I can jump around on, like in Big?
TFA claims:
...but I disagree. It looks big and clunky. Frankly I don't think this feature is worth the added bulk, cost, complexity, and battery-usage. This will remain a gimmick until it can be integrated seemlessly into current cellphones, and more importantly, until the interface is actually smooth and efficient.
"At first glance, the mobile phone looks exactly like a conventional cell phone."
In this concept a virtual touch typist demonstrates he can type directly on a laser-projected keyboard, but this newer concept indicates that a special pad and pen are required. What happened? This was hot a couple years ago...
If I project this onto my lap, maybe I'll get fewer odd looks on the airplane.