Laptop & Tablet Parts
Desktop & All-in-one Parts
Dell Server Parts
Right up front, let's acknowledge that the Galaxy Beam is a definite improvement over previous phone-projector combinations, and the first of that type to run an Android operating system (OS). It also improves on the luminosity of previous and most current pico-projectors. The Samsung Galaxy Beam projects with 15 lumens compared to 10 to 12 lumens for other pico-projectors. Samsung claims it is the "world's thinnest projector-phone" at 12.5mm equal to 0.49-inch. Previous projector-phones were about 20mm thick.Equipped with a 2000mAh battery the projector could theoretically run for about three hours. Phones of this size usually come with 1500mAh batteries. The upside is extended talk time when using the Galaxy Beam only as a phone, which would seem to defeat the purpose of the design. When using it as a phone there is no support for LTE technology, so its fastest data speeds will rely on HSPA networks.
The Samsung Galaxy Beam projects with a resolution of only 640 x 360 pixels, which is half the resolution of a 720p video. The projector beams up to a 50-inch-diagonal image, and is already starting to get grainy at that size. The 15 lumens projector output makes it suitable only in a very dim or dark environment. Keeping that projector steady, and the audio loud enough will require some dock and speaker accessories that Samsung will also sell.
The 4-inch screen resolution is only 480 x 800 pixels, or 233ppi (pixels-per-inch). It does not utilize Samsung's own brilliant Super AMOLED technology.
The OS is Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is the new standard, and this phone will probably be updated to 4.0 in the future. The processor is a 1GHz dual-core, which leaves it seriously short of something on the order of the current 1.5 GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3.Internal storage is 8GB, and a microSD / microSDHC slot provides an additional 32GB of storage. RAM (Random Access Memory) is only 768MB, equal to three-quarters of one GB.
Assessment
The term gadget-lovers comes to mind when looking objectively at the Samsung Galaxy Beam projector phone. The consensus seems to be that it is an interesting, innovative design with limited real-world utility, when used as a projector.
Samsung is going to roll this product out globally, leaving one to speculate that technologically advanced countries may not be their primary target. The sentiment most reflective of the majority of the tech community is that this device is a bit short of achieving the specifications currently expected of a new product.
As noted in a previous article, device convergence seems to be the number one trend of 2012. Other interesting, merging or converging, multi-function phone products have included the Asus PadFone, and the Fujitsu Lifebook 2013 Concept Notebook.
The Samsung Galaxy Beam projector-phone is being marketed as a fun gadget, and that is appropriate. It is not the latest phone technology, but may not be any larger or heavier than the phone you currently have in your pocket. The very literal bright spot is the projector.
One Response to Samsung Galaxy Beam Projector Phone – A Quick Look