Taiwan handset makers hold conservative outlook for projector handsets

Although a number of branded handset vendors, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics (LGE) and RIM, have launched handsets with built-in pico-projectors, handset makers in Taiwan are conservative about the outlook for projector handsets, according to industry sources.

Handset vendors have successfully integrated music players and cameras with mobile phones, but the development of handsets incorporated with GPS, mobile TV and gaming functionalities have been far from satisfactory, the sources noted.

In addition, due to privacy concerns, handset users are unlikely to show their photos, videos and personal documents stored in their handsets through micro projectors in public locations, which in turn will limit the application of projector handsets only to the niche market segment, commented the sources.

Global sales of projector handsets could reach only several hundred thousand units in 2010, estimated the sources.