QP Optoelectronics’ LightPad Gives Your Smartphone A Huge Display [Part Docking Station, Part Projector, QP Optoelectronics' LightPad Puts A Big Punch Into Your Smartphone's Display]

Posted on TFTS by Steve Anderson on Monday, 19. December 2011 under: Audio,Visual, HD Equipment, Mobile/Cell Phones

Smartphones are great for their sheer portability and their ability to give you what you need when you’re out and about. But one thing that truly suffers as a result is the display. We’ve seen some great displays on smartphones, sure, but no matter what, you’re always going to wind up squinting at a screen measured in inches, and on a single digit scale, too. But now, the folks at QP Optoelectronics have something in mind that will put your smartphone experience on a whole new scale. Two of them, actually, and all in one package called the LightPad.

The LightPad is kind of a folio device that lets you insert your smartphone of choice (as long as it has either an MHL or an HDMI port available) into it, and then includes both a keyboard to interact with it, and an 11 inch screen (a rear projection screen, no less) on which to observe the results. Considering that’s just about tripled some phones’ display sizes, you may think you’re looking at the whole package, but no. The LightPad takes things up another notch by also throwing in a pico projector that will put up images measuring 60 inches at 854 x 480 resolution. That’s not the greatest resolution, of course, but considering that future models will offer 1280 x 720 resolution, things only look to get better.

It’s an interesting concept, and word is this one’s set to get its debut appearance out at CES 2012, which means we’re likely to get a better idea of the pricing and release schedule on this one pretty soon. It’s still a good idea, with the ability to go from smallish word processing capability to full-on presentation mode with a few minor twists. Given that it offers HDMI connectivity, it will probably work with most of the common smartphones out there, which is an added bonus in its own right. And if you ever wanted to offer up the whole “impromptu movie marathon” concept to passersby, well, you’ve got your solution right here.

But how about you guys? Do you think the LightPad could make a good showing for mobile device users out there? Or is the appeal entirely too limited for its own good? No matter what you think, we definitely want to hear from you, so hit the comments section below and tell us what you think!