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Topic: Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy Beam: a projector/smartphone

Summary: Samsung has managed to build a pico projector into a mid-range smartphone without completely crippling either device — but compromises are inevitable.

Sandra Vogel

By Sandra Vogel |

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As for the rest of the device, Samsung has produced an upper-mid-range smartphone. It's disappointing to see Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) here rather than Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), but at least there's a dual-core 1GHz processor to speed things along, plus 8GB of internal storage and the aforementioned side-mounted microSD card slot for adding extra storage capacity.

The 5-megapixel rear camera has a flash unit, which is good, but the 4in. screen's 480-by-800-pixel resolution is lower than we'd like.

All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Beam is a great idea, but it needs work. There's a real 'wow' factor to a smartphone/projector, but 15 lumens isn't enough for this to be a viable professional's tool: currently, it's more of a handy standby than a main projector.

Images: Samsung

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Topics: Smartphones, Hardware, Mobility, Reviews

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7 comments
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  • ewww gingerbread

    Froyo FTW!
    EllaiMac
    Reply Vote

  • I wish they'd make a WindowsPhone one of these.

    It's a cool idea but not cool enough to overcome the crap android os.
    Johnny Vegas
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Re: I wish they'd make a WindowsPhone one of these.

      Microsoft won't let them.
      ldo17
      Reply Vote

  • Hmmmm

    Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
    gwartnet
    Reply Vote

    • With this phone, the only other thing needed, will

      Be another camera lens for the 3- D Holograms, so that everyone in the room at you meeting will think you just beamed in a green goddess!!

      Unless there's some woman attending the meeting, then you might have to hold off on that one...

      Thanks
      TW
      T-Wrench
      Reply Vote

  • Apple slipping?

    Very clever, despite the limited utility. In a window-less conference room with plain, neutral colored walls a salesperson or a techie could have real impact. (Or carry a portable screen -- lots to choose from.)

    Not in the new iPhone -- Jobs would be furious! Maybe Samsung could cross-license it and get out of court.
    dougs666
    Reply Vote

  • Stick to what it's good at!

    I feel like the market for technology nowadays is too rushed to find the next big thing. They need to take a step back and focus on the quality of the product rather than just throwing some hybrid device into the market. The concept of a smartphone and pico projector is a good idea.... BUT, the specs of this small smartphone no where nears the power of the pico projectors that are out there. Basically rendering the pico projector effects in the first place. Places like aaxa technologies, acer, optoma should definitely try to work with these phone companies and combine their specialties to create a solid product instead of this trash pico projector.
    Dave Sherrill
    Reply Vote
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