Sony wowed the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 with its Xperia Touch projector that can turn surfaces into touchscreens.
The projector transforms flat surfaces like walls, tablets and floors into a 23-inch touchscreen that can detect click and swipe movements through a 13 megapixels pre-installed camera, infrared light and the SXRD projection display technology. Through its auto-focus, auto keystoning and auto rotation features, the device automatically configures itself on a surface.
It has a resolution of 1366 x 768, a contrast ratio of 4000:1, and 100 lumens and can expand the display screen to up to 80 inches. However, Sony clarified that the projector drops off its touch capabilities once it reaches the said length.
The Japanese multinational company described the interface of the device as "fast fluid and responsive to physical touch" with its camera functioning at a rate of 60 frames for every second.
The interactive projector has built-in speakers, 32GB storage, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi connectivity, 3GB RAM, microSD, and Miracast support. It runs on the Android operating system which makes it compatible with applications from Google Play Store. Gamers may also use it as a television replacement for PS4's Remote Play.
The portable device promises one hour of continuous video playback mode meaning users have to bring the power cord with them all the time to avoid dead battery alerts.
Xperia Touch started as an experimental concept from the Future Lab in 2016. Now, Sony considers it a product ready to get sold in the education, communication, gaming and online video streaming markets. Further, the company claims that the device will benefit those from the architecture and designing industries as "the unique projection, touch capability and sensor architecture will provide developers with an entirely new platform on which to build and create."
Sony plans to sell the Xperia Touch for 1,499 Euros by Spring 2017 in Europe and Japan.