Samsung Debuts HD Projector Android Phone - Galaxy Beam & More!

Imagine having an HD projector on your mobile phone – you’d like that right? 50 inch movies and pictures to show your friends and family, anywhere, all while on the move? Looks like good ‘ol Samsung has you covered.

That’s exactly the vision Samsung has for you, as we are seeing at Mobile World Congress 2012, in Barcelona, Spain. While the specs aren’t quite at the cutting edge, say like the Galaxy S3, the HTCOne X, or any of the other super-devices being thrust our way over the next few days, it does have a projector. I mean, how cool is that? Be the first one on your block, at your cubicle, or wherever it is that you reside, to have one!

Either way, the Galaxy Beam certainly aspires to not be a novelty, but a real, usable, and awesome device. Despite the fact that it only running Android 2.2 doesn’t really matter. It is featuring a 15 Lumens nHD projector, which really adds a whole new dimension and level of utility to the device itself. I fully expect projectors to be in all sorts of devices in the future.

Specs: 

• 4.0” 480×800 (WVGA) TFT
• 1.0GHz Dual-Core Processor
• 5MP AF ＋ 1.3MP / Flash
•  nHD (640 x 360) resolution and 15 Lumen brightness,
• MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, DivX
• Recording/Playback: 720p@30fps
• MP3, AAC, AAC＋, eAAC＋, WMA0fps
• BT 3.0＋HS, 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz, MicroUSB, USB 2.0, 3.5mm Ear Jack
• 768MB RAM ＋ 8GB Internal Memory, MicroSD slot (up to 32GB)
• 64.2 x 124 x 12.5mm thin, 145.3 g
• 2000 mAh Battery – 3 hours of battery life when projector is on

Oh, and that’s not all – check out this image that Ina Fried, from AllthingsD just grabbed from her hotel below. Anyone remember the rumored Galaxy Note 10.1?

We have heard quite a bit about the 10.1″ Galaxy Note, but nothing has proved credible, thus far. We do know that it will have possess professional grade stylus support, and may even be packing one of those delightful 1920 x 1200 HD resolution displays we saw on the ASUS Transformer Prime TF700T, Lenovo’s K2010 K2 Tablet, and others at CES. Samsung is not an idle company. I would be highly surprised if they didn’t include some seriously advanced technology under the hood if they hope to have it be a success.

So, dear reader, what say you? Do you like what you see? Would you ever go for the Galaxy Beam? Gartner and other leading technology analyst firms say that by 2015, there will be over 100 million smartphones with projectors in them. Hard to believe? I think not. Considering the advances currently being made in areas of miniaturization of projection technologies, and reduction in power usage  – this number very well could turn out to be true.

Stay tuned as we bring you more of the latest advances in Android goodness from MWC 2012!

[press]
Share the Fun with Samsung GALAXY Beam

February 26, 2012

Samsung’s projector smartphone offers unforgettable shared experience for playing multimedia content anytime, anywhere

Barcelona – February 26, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced Samsung GALAXY Beam, the projector smartphone that allows users to display and share multimedia content anywhere on a large luminous projector screen.

GALAXY Beam lets users spontaneously share photos, videos or other digital media with family or friends by beaming content stored on the device directly onto walls, ceilings or improvised flat surfaces, so that everyone can share the fun without the need to huddle around smartphone or pad-sized screens. GALAXY Beam’s ultra-bright 15 lumens projector allows users to freely share life’s memorable moments instantly and in crisp clarity, even in outdoor environments.

“GALAXY Beam provides mobile freedom, enabling a unique shared experience around digital content for everyone—anywhere and instantly—from a smartphone as slim and portable as any on the market,” said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics.

“GALAXY Beam is a device borne out of Samsung’s insight and innovation, demonstrating Samsung’s commitment to providing extraordinary experiences for consumers with products that let them express and fulfill themselves.”

Video clips, maps, business information, games – a whole range of multimedia content can be beamed instantly by GALAXY Beam on a crisp, high-definition projection up to 50’’ wide. The device features a projector-dedicated application which makes it easy to select content and activate projection in a few simple steps.

Add a dose of ambience or entertainment to a friends’ gathering by transforming any household room or outdoor deck into an instant mini home-theater, projecting full-screen video clips on a ceiling or wall for common sharing, at the touch of a button. Or capture your favorite holiday moments using the GALAXY Beam’s 5MP camera, then display a full photo slideshow to family members on a dining room wall while playing accompanying music straight from the device, so that everyone shares the experience.

For young users who depend on constant, immediate socializing of digital content and entertainment, GALAXY Beam introduces a new way of sharing. It becomes much more than a phone—a handy digital tool, deployable anywhere, which can add visual entertainment to a simple street gathering, set the mood for a small party, or simply turn life’s moments into something personally and immediately sharable. With GALAXY Beam, a birthday or anniversary party can be enlivened in seconds by sharing YouTube or Hulu music videos straight onto a ceiling or door. Likewise, students can collectively share videos or study-work in any dormitory room or student lounge, turning group study into a whole new interactive experience right from a desk table or from the palm of their hands. GALAXY Beam is also ideal for action-packed interactive gaming: Users can upload their own games or choose from over 1,000 games available via Game Hub, Samsung’s dedicated virtual gaming store, then project games to co-players or observers to turn gaming into an unbeatably interactive, shared experience. Additionally, GALAXY Beam is convenient tool for mid-sized business workers. An estate agent can beam images of candidate properties to customers as they tour them; or an architect can display draft concepts or designs to co-workers on the spot at a building site or public location.

Despite featuring a full built-in projector, the GALAXY Beam does not compromise on style or portability, measuring just 12.5mm thick and featuring an elegant, ergonomic design. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread which is powered by an impressive 1.0GHz dual-core processor, ensuring great versatility and a highly responsive user interface. An impressive 8GB of internal memory allows ample multimedia storage without compromises, and a powerful 2000 mAh battery ensures greater display power and content freedom.

The GALAXY Beam is exhibited at Samsung stand (Hall 8), Mobile World Congress 2012. For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

[/press]