Mini Smartphone Projector Hints At Holographic Future

We've seen various examples of holograms over the years, with the technology behind them coming in many varieties. The prism crystal-based one that surfaced in 2012 is one example, but in the future such cumbersome and decidedly non-portable constructions will no longer be needed.

California startup Ostendo has developed a miniature projector that is small enough to fit in a smartphone, but powerful enough to project a 48-inch diagonal video or image onto a wall or other surface, hinting at the future functionality of mobile devices.

The startup hasn't stopped there, however, and has spent the better part of a decade working on the development of 3D image projection — that is, holograms. Using more than one chipset, the company is able to generate 3D images.

An example of this was demonstrated to The Wall Street Journal using a combination of six chips used to collectively beam a pair of three-dimensional dice. The company plans to ship the first — 2D-generating — version of its product before summer next year, and to follow it up a short while later with a 3D-capable product.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal