Posted By
Justin Davis
February 12, 2012 at 9:31am
3M's Tiny MP225A Mobile Projector is different, to say the least. Other televisions and projectors consistently push for larger, brighter screens with an emphasis on pushing technology to its limits. This approach is still found in the MP225A, but 3M built the projector to instead have a focus on portability. While other manufacturers build projectors and include a carrying case, they aren't truly portable. They're light enough to be carried, but the size makes them a burden to carry around for long. The MP225A was built with mobility in mind, and it shows.
Thanks to the focus on mobility, the MP225A should certainly find a market. It's only slightly larger than your smartphone, so you can take it with you in your pocket or purse. At the same time, it somehow manages to project up to an 80-inch picture. At 32 lumens of brightness, it's not going to be the brightest picture you've ever seen. Still, it's suitable for viewing in most environments. There is also an audio-out jack on the MP225A, allowing you to connect a pair of headphones or external speakers. Considering the small size of the projector, it would be hard to ask 3M to have included anything more. They deserve to be commended for cramming such a large amount of technology into such a small device.
In terms of style, the MP225A almost looks like an older iPod at first glance. It has a similar shade of white all over its body, and the controls can be found in a circular setup that's very reminiscent of Apple's old devices. Of course, the projector has more of a brick shape to it. There are also vents on the side to keep it from overheating. At first glance, most people probably won't even realize that the MP225A is a projector. It does a very good job of blending in.
Knowing that most people won't carry a Blu-ray player with them for viewing on the go, 3M built the MP225A to play nicer with mobile electronics than other projectors. With a cable that can be purchased separately, an iPad can be plugged directly in to the MP225A. The display shows up quickly on the projector, and everything on the iPad is mirrored to it. Along the same lines, there is also an HDMI port so that a notebook computer can be connected to the projector. Game consoles or Blu-ray players can be connected as well, but at that point we start to move away from the mobile-focused aspects of the projector.
One of the projector's most appealing aspects is the inclusion of a lithium-ion battery. It's rated for two hours of continuous use, which should be more than long enough for anyone using their iPad or computer with it. If you do decide to watch a movie on it, most movies should also be watchable within this same time frame. Of course, the projector also includes a charging cable and the ability to run continuously off of AC power. This helps keep it from being a mobile-only projector, since you can plug it in without any interruption in use.
The Tiny MP225A has earned the title of mobile projector. It's one of the most portable projectors ever to hit the market, and lets users take their entertainment on the go. The focus on compatibility with the iPad and other portable devices is exciting to see. Who doesn't want to play with their apps and games on a screen that's nearly ten times the size of the iPad's? Retailing for just under $300, the MP225A is worth taking a look at for anyone who needs to be on the go but doesn't want to leave their home theater behind.
Watch the video we took at CES 2012 HERE.