Apple Patent: Mini-Projectors Could Soon Come to iPads, iPhones

Wasn't there an HTC Android phone about a year or two ago with an internal projector?

It seems to me that the cons far outweigh the pros here, cons being: increased costs, trapezoidal issues when throwing to a wall (requires machine vision to map wall and adjust dynamically), durability issues, input issues (impede image to adjust OR interact with device, which will shake the image), lighting requirements. Plus, exactly how often does the situation arise where something needs to be shown and there isn't a suitable screen around? We have laptops, iPads, and often the smartphone's screen suffices.

Apple are wizards though, and if they can do the impossible here then it will be a huge score for their hardware/software advantage.

Here's the same article, formatted for print (I find these easier on the eyes): http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/print/2011/08/apple-pa...

I don't see apple pulling this off in a way that would fit with their high usability standards just yet.

Personally i could see it in the mac pro or iphone first.

But (whilst i think its awesome tech) i just have a feeling it is a little too gimmicky for the iphone any time soon.

Just because they have a patent doesn't mean they will manufacture a product.

Perhaps they just don't want their competitors to put it in their products, for example.