Microvision on Monday unveiled its Web store for U.S. customers for the SHOWWX laser pico projector, and plans to fully cut the ribbon later this month. According to Microvision, this is the world's first laser pico projector based on the company's PicoP technology in the U.S.

The company will offer two products when the store opens, including the Standard Edition SHOWWX and the Limited Edition SHOWWX promotional bundle. Both versions sport a native resolution of 848 x 480 (WVGA), plug-and-play use, "fiddle-free" infinite focus, a 5,000:1 contrast ration, a 60Hz refresh rate, 3.5mm stereo jack, and about 90-120 minutes of battery life when fully charged.

So what makes the Limited Edition different?

"The Limited Edition SHOWWX bundle is for the technology enthusiast and ultra-mobile media connoisseur," Microvision explains. "This special bundle comes with a personalized splash screen bearing the name of its owner, SHOWWX with 'Limited Edition' insignia, certificate of authenticity and a SHOWWX VGA dock plus other accessories not included with the Standard Edition."

The Limited Edition is available now for $1,000, while the Standard Edition will be made available on March 24 for $550.

Image Credit: Microvision

Microvision on Monday unveiled its Web store for U.S. customers for the SHOWWX laser pico projector, and plans to fully cut the ribbon later this month. According to Microvision, this is the world's first laser pico projector based on the company's PicoP technology in the U.S.

The company will offer two products when the store opens, including the Standard Edition SHOWWX and the Limited Edition SHOWWX promotional bundle. Both versions sport a native resolution of 848 x 480 (WVGA), plug-and-play use, "fiddle-free" infinite focus, a 5,000:1 contrast ration, a 60Hz refresh rate, 3.5mm stereo jack, and about 90-120 minutes of battery life when fully charged.

So what makes the Limited Edition different?

"The Limited Edition SHOWWX bundle is for the technology enthusiast and ultra-mobile media connoisseur," Microvision explains. "This special bundle comes with a personalized splash screen bearing the name of its owner, SHOWWX with 'Limited Edition' insignia, certificate of authenticity and a SHOWWX VGA dock plus other accessories not included with the Standard Edition."

The Limited Edition is available now for $1,000, while the Standard Edition will be made available on March 24 for $550.

Image Credit: Microvision

With the new PocketCinema Z20, Aiptek hopes to unseat Pure Digital's Flip, which is arguably the most popular pocket-sized camcorder. At more than double the Flip's price, the PocketCinema Z20 can also double up as a pocket projector. It can record 720p video and capture stills at a maximum resolution of 8 MP, both of which can be viewed on its 2.4-inch LCD or projected “up to 65 inches, which is 160 centimeters diagonal, in only 2 meters short distance.” If the projector fails to win you over, it is possible to watch the recorded video on an HDTV. Its 2GB internal storage can easily be supplemented using a microSD card of up to 32GB. If the company is to be believed, the camcorder's Li-Ion battery can last up to two hours on a single charge. Though Aiptek will only begin shipping the Z20 in mid-April, it can be ordered now for €349 ($476).

Image Credit: Aiptek

The show floor at CES contained countless variations on modern projectors, but clearly the most interesting form factor going forward is going to be pico projectors. These pint sized devices allow business professionals to carry around presentation tools in their shirt pockets, but up until now the resolutions have always been far too low to replace their larger cousins, that is, until we saw the SYL2061.

The new projector technology by Syndiant and Foryou offers resolutions up to 1024 x 600, and as you can see from the picture below, it is remarkably small. The model on display at CES was only a prototype, and so far pricing and availability is unknown. Products containing the projector also haven't been announced, but if it performs as well as they claim, its only a matter of time.

(Image Credit Engadget.com)

“Shoot ‘em up, shoot ‘em up, pow, pow!” Gamers have finally been freed from the confines of their measly 24-inch high definition LCD screens. Making use of a pico projector mounted on a wireless game gun, Microvision has devised a way to make gaming more fluid and physically participatory. (The Wii doesn’t count.)

Our colleagues at Gizmodo see some flaws in the present incarnation of the device. And it’s hard not to disagree. You’d need a pretty slick spherical surface to play on, and the pico projector doesn’t provide all that detailed an image. Plus, the whole set-up still limits you to a fixed screen size.

But the upsides are more realistic motion effects, and a better upper-body workout than offered by a keyboard and mouse.

Admittedly not ready for primetime, it is nonetheless a pretty neat proof-of-concept experiment. And who knows? It just might be the precursor for a new niche in PC gaming.

Image Credit: Microvision

The wait is over, assuming you've been waiting all year for WowWee's Cinemin Swivel pico projector that was first shown off at CES 2009 in January.

Previously available for pre-order in the U.S. and Europe, the projector is now in stock at Amazon.com for a little under $300. What the three Benjamins gets you in return is a pocket sized projector that swivels on a 90-degree hinge. According to the manufacturer, the Cinemin can beam a "crisp" 60-inch image from over 8 feet away.

At the heart of the Cinemin is Texas Instruments' DLP projection technology. The projector boasts a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 8 ANSI lumens, an LED light source, and up 135 minutes battery life with a 180-minute recharge time.

So what's the verdict - would you pay $300 for this thing? Sound off in the comments section below!

Image Credit: WowWee