Marketing 101: Make use of a brand, even if it is not your own. Electronics pioneer Texas Instruments does so with its DLP Pico projector, the PK-101. Sold under the Optoma brand, the PK-101 is said to be the world's smallest and lightest projector. It goes on sale from Dec. 1 at the Apple Store in Japan with an iPhone/iPod kit and dock connector.
While the device works with non-Apple gear, too, riding Apple's coattails is a savvy move. Hooked up to a video or photo source, such as an iPod or mobile phone, the PK-101 projects an image of up to 60 inches (152 cm) with a resolution of 480×320 pixels at a maximum range of 2.5 meters. It's expected to cost around ¥50,000.
Like the iPhone, the PK-101 is palm-size, measuring 51×105×17 mm and tipping the scales at 120 grams. The projector uses a white LED bulb to produce a 1000:1 contrast ratio, better than many TVs, and a brightness rating of 10 lumens. For audio, it sports a 0.5-watt speaker and a headphone jack. The replaceable lithium-ion battery is good for two hours of continuous use, so showing one of Hollywood's three-hour epics on the nearest wall will require the unit to be connected to an AC outlet. Rounding out the deal is a tripod socket for added stability.