A playful rumor going around the Internets is that a future iteration of the iPhone will soon add a mini-projector to its hardware arsenal. The source of the rumor is Chinese newsite Digitimes, who quotes sources as saying OEM manufacturer Foxlink is co-developing a micro projector with a “handset client in Europe.” (ed. Nokia maybe?). Quoting the source, Digitimes writes:
Foxlink has sent related samples to the client for verification, which may pave the way for small shipments in the fourth quarter of 2009, the sources noted.
Foxlink is a Taiwan-based subsidiary of Foxconn, and a frequent Apple client. Digitimes goes on to claim that Apple may be adding it to mobile devices as soon as the end of this year (ed. yeah right):
International brand vendors, including Nokia, Samsung Electronics and Apple, reportedly all plan to launch handsets with built-in micro projectors by the end of this year, indicated the sources, adding that Foxlink is likely to benefit from the emerging trend due to its strong business relationships with Nokia and Apple.
Micro projectors have been popping up at electronics trade shows recently, mostly as separate units that connect to iPods and other mobile devices. An example of a micro projector in action is shown in the video below:
I highly doubt we’ll see anything like this on the iPhone within two years, but it’s nevertheless cool to think about a future where you could bring your iPhone to work, wirelessly connect a bluetooth keyboard, and use the micro-projector as a monitor to project a 30-inch widescreen image on your cubicle wall. Then grab your iPhone/computer and carry it to lunch with you. Ah, dare to dream. Well, I’ll be off in my flying car now.