The Samsung Galaxy Beam is one of the more interesting looking smartphones announced at Mobile World Congress this week. As opposed to being just another Android handset, this Galaxy variant features a pico projector. And, as demonstrated above by PocketLint, the Beam… beams presumably anything displayed on the phone onto a wall, table, ceiling, or palm. Which sounds pretty dang cool. Until you stop to consider that, while it can project an image up to 50″ large, the resolution is capped at 640×360 and a meager 15 lumens are output. So it’s safe to say a compelling projected display under typical conditions would be something significantly less than 50″ — meaning you’re not going to watch too much HBO GO in this manner.
It’s quite impressive to see this projection tech integrated into such a compact and attractive form, compared to Samsung’s first blocky go of it or the original dedicated pico projectors (that never took off) and I suppose a few business professionals might find sporadic use projecting charts in a conference room. But, ultimately, the Beam offers a party trick to showcase ones downsampled personal photos or video, and I can’t imagine that alone will move many units.
UPDATE: Engadget has reviewed the Samsung Beam.
The Galaxy Beam does well at what it claims to be good at (projecting media), but it’s otherwise mediocre at best. That’s not to say it’s a horrible phone, but the low-to-mid-range feature set makes it a tough sell at $430, especially when you can pay the same price for much nicer devices these days. The Beam is interesting as a proof of concept, but we don’t see it blossoming into anything more than that at the present time.
I could see this used as a heads-up display against a car windshield. That would not need to be very big (although it would have to compensate for MAJOR keystone distortion).
The ultimate accessory for Google Maps!
–Dwayne
Do you have to focus the Galaxy Beam image? Is there a focus wheel on the phone?
Dwayne, Maybe not as geeky, but wouldn’t it be simpler to just mount your smartphone with a suction cup. ;) Speaking of tech within our circle… Did you see Lenny’s completed living room with light effects and AV rack/closet on Facebook?
David, it’s not clear to me where/how that might occur. Perhaps it’s software based. Or perhaps it’s fixed focus of some sort. Hm.
As Ben said on the latest Engadget HD podcast, it should make a really nice flashlight…
Sure, the suction cup is more direct, but by projecting on the glass you can look THROUGH it–so it’s okay to have the image right there in your field of vision (but not actually blocking it).
And seeing as how I boycott Facebook, no I haven’t seen Lenny’s new toys. But I have a high bar to be impressed, being a Qualia 006 owner and all.
(For those that are confused, Dave and I are friends and former coworkers IRL.)
–Dwayne