One device that stole the spotlight at the MWC 2017 for a moment was not a phone or a tablet but was, in fact, a projector. The new Sony Xperia Touch is a portable projector that practically turns any flat surface into an Android device.
The Sony Xperia Touch turns any flat surface into an Android device. Unveiled at the MWC 2017, the Sony Xperia Touch is a portable short-throw laser projector that, when activated, turns a flat blank surface into a touchable device running on the Android OS. It is a small metal box with dimensions of 5.3 by 5.6 by 2.7 inches.
Instead of a display touchscreen, the device has a LCoS laser projector with auto focus. The Xperia Touch supports touch controls through a 60fps camera and an IR array.
Setting up the device is surprisingly simple. It can be used to project on a wall or table it is in contact with or any other surface at a short distance. The Xperia Touch has auto focus, auto keystone, and auto rotation. This means that it will automatically configure itself to a surface that way it is oriented by a user.
When the device is set to project on a surface it is on like a table; it will provide a 23-inch display with a 10-point multitouch via the IR array. The touch controls are very easy to use in this mode, and "drawing" using just fingers feels amazing.
Projecting on a wall works differently as 'touching' won't be feasible at all. This is where the 60fps camera comes to work. Sony is planning to incorporate gesture controls to enable interactions with the display without blocking the projection.
Sony is positioning the device for different purposes such as gaming, video streaming, communication, and even education. However, it can be used for designing and architecture which the Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality device is also being used for.
The Sony Xperia Touch is still just a concept, and a production version is still very far away from happening. If it does end up available for sale, it probably needs to adjust its price tag of US$1,500.00.
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