Audio Video News

As if your cell phone didn't already try to perform too many functions at once, a slew of consumer electronics manufacturers want to add in one more feature: A digital projector.

That's right, a mini-version of the home-theater grade projectors you might use to watch HDTV programming and movies could end up in the hands of every nuisance-making teenager sitting next to you on the subway or in a restaurant. This could be ten times worse than that annoying laser pen-light trend.

But it could also be extremely convenient.

Aside from business applications like impromptu PowerPoint presentations, a tiny phone projector could keep restless children entertained as well as amuse adults on business trips. They'll look pretty good, too, since they'll rely on light-emitting diodes and lasers. According to a New York Times article, depending on a room's lighting a small projector could cast a display of up to 50-60 inches, or as small as 7-20 inches. They could cost about $350 at first, and come packaged separately from a phone. Eventually the price could drop to less than $300. Sixteen companies are already at work to make the miniprojector a reality.

A few, like Displaytech and Texas Instruments, were already touting their miniprojector components at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. -Rachel Rosmarin

The New York Times