Samsung's Galaxy Beam projector-phone goes on sale in UK
Summary: It does not appear that any networks have picked it up yet, but Samsung has announced the UK release of its high-definition smartphone-slash-projector
Samsung has released the new version of the Galaxy Beam smartphone, which has a built-in projector, in the UK.
The handset can cast high-definition content onto a wall or ceiling at a size of up to 50 inches. Its current iteration was first shown off in February, at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
"It's the kind of device you won't find anywhere else — a high-definition projector within a standard-sized smartphone — and is great for people who want to watch movies, show photos to friends or need to give a presentation while they're out and about," Samsung UK and Ireland vice president Simon Stanford said in a statement.
A first iteration of the device was unveiled in 2010. The update brought a larger screen, measuring four inches rather than 3.7 inches. However, the device still carries what is now a very outdated version of Android, 'Gingerbread' 2.3.
The 145g smartphone runs the OS on a dual-core 1GHz processor, and also features a 5-megapixel camera and 8GB of internal memory.
Samsung did not announce any official UK pricing for the Galaxy Beam, nor did it say which networks, if any, will be carrying it.
At the time of writing, none of the major operators' websites showed the Beam on offer. Various independent online retailers are offering the smartphone for around £400.
UPDATE (2.45pm): The handset is available on T-Mobile and Orange through Carphone Warehouse, with the cheapest deal involving a free device and a £31 monthly contract.
Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.
Talkback
Only Android Makes It Possible
Only an open platform gives the vendors the freedom to take risks, and to fail. Out of those failures come the successes that take us to the next level. Look at how Android started out, just 5 years ago, and how it has grown.
Theres a lot more at stake than hardware
It gives the owner broadcast capability, contentious in a device that stores copyrighted material. I can see trouble, hence the muted launch I suspect...
Only Android Makes It Possible
Only an open platform gives the vendors the freedom to take risks, and to fail. Out of those failures come the successes that take us to the next level. Look at how Android started out, just 5 years ago, and how it has grown.
Bad move for Samsung
An interesting twist...
This technology is a bit different to the current crop of projection systems there are around. Its not just the size, as there are already pocket projectors on the market. Its harder to legislate for starters, and not just copyright.
For example, the police attend a disturbance centred around some inappropriate video being displayed in a public place. At the moment, its pretty easy for them to locate and identify the individual with the projector and stop it, but that only works because its identifiable.
Reimagine this situation with most of the crowd carrying projectors, and with social media making viral public displays possible, then the police are faced with an entirely different problem. I'm not sure Samsung really want that responsibility alone, and in their place I'd certainly want other manufacturers in a position where the law could be influenced by their weight as well, rather than face a slap for rashly introducing a dangerous technology alone.
Just my pennyworth.
Cooltown Rocks!