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Comment by noonespecial | Hacker News Reader

The really cool thing about how digital technology has changed the world is that by the time you buy this dumb plastic toy and just 9 of those little wheels, you could buy this pico-projector and project all of the pictures you'll ever take.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001L4L7AQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?qid=...

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Non-mobile link:

http://www.amazon.com/Optoma-EP-PK-101-Pico-Pocket-Projector...

Optoma EP-PK-101 Pico Pocket Projector ($114.99)

Much better. Thanks. On my phone, on the road.

Hopefully not driving

Or a mere £191 if you're in the UK.

Wait, what?

Thanks. I never understand why websites don't do this automatically - especially big ones like Amazon and YouTube.

When visiting a URL and they detect that you are on mobile, they send you over to the mobile URL. Why not do the opposite when they detect you aren't?

In fact, why have a separate URL at all? They should be able to serve up the same content from the same URL for web or mobile or whatever device.

I can only see myself every buying one pico-projector for myself.

I can see myself buying several of these - both projectors and discs - as presents and gifts.

I bet these folk will get a way bigger profit margin on my purchases than the projector peeps will too.

If you're going to get a pico projector, do yourself a favor and grab one of the MPros from 3M; I reviewed a few when these were in vogue and the Optomas (edit: actually, not those but the laser-based Microvision PicoP ones) had a shimmery effect due to their projection method. The MPros cost a bit more and are a bit chunkier, but still fit in your laptop bag easily and produce a better image IMHO:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Pocket-Projector-MPro160/dp/B00452V...

You are dismissing the emotional factor; I think this is a fantastic gift. It is most certainly easier to send someone a free "e-card", so why are good old "dumb" paper greeting cards still in vogue?

Except it's three times more expensive.

And anyway, I really don't think guys at Projecteo are aiming at those in the market for a portable projector. Yeah it is a borderline toy I guess, but that doesn't mean it's 'dumb'. Seems cool as a quick little gift for someone, it has that charm/novelty factor that everyday people will like.

No need to dismiss it solely because it's technically inferior to a serious $130+ device, they're both aimed at totally different people.

I wouldn't generally use the word "dumb", but I think the argument the two of you should really be having will be answered by the market (I hope they've done research). I would never buy one, but how many people will?

And is this a serious attempt at another revenue stream or a way of adding customers to their user base?

I see your point. I guess I don't really see anyone buying many extra photo disks beyond the one or two required to make this into a funny gift for someone.

I've been trying to put my finger on exactly what this brings to mind. I think I have it. This is "singing fish" level technology.

I totally agree, I just thought calling it dumb was a bit harsh. It's maybe a little bit steep considering the novelty factor, and I would never buy this for myself, but I imagined it making quite a good gift for someone I really didn't know what to buy for a birthday/event.

by the time you buy this dumb plastic toy and just 9 of those little wheels

Wheels are $9 each. $81 + $26 = $107 for 81 photos (9 wheels, 9 photos each) vs. a projector that can connect to anything with composite output.

I think if you are planning on buying this in order to display 81 photos then clearly it is the wrong product to choose. That's the point. I'm guessing the typical person that this will appeal to will buy a wheel or two at the most, use it a few times/show their friends, then once the novelty wears off it gets shoved in a drawer.

The really cool thing about this tiny film projector is, once you've bought it and a couple wheels, you have an excellent, thoughtful gift. Buying someone a pico projector and suggesting they use it to display those special Thailand pictures just doesn't have the same meaning.

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