I am not trying to say I thought of this first, but just yesterday I was preparing a post about projectors and AirPlay. I felt that a small AirPlay powered projector running its own Wi-Fi or mobile network could be used at home, outdoors and on the go.

Concept

The concept projector is controlled by the iPad via an app or iCloud when there is an internet connection. This would work the same as using your iPad to change the channel of an Xfinity cable box. Using iCloud, you could launch an approved app or play a movie that is then streamed over the web to your linked projector and played wherever you are (kind of like VPN). The interface would allow you to use enabled apps on the projector without having it running iOS, just the ability to stream content from the web via a connected account.

Then again, it could have a version of Apple TV iOS installed that you could directly link to it using another iOS device to playa movie or launch an app. Interface is key but this was a concept I was thinking about.

Real

Today however, 3M and Roku announced a streaming projector powered by the Roku stick. This is actually a TV without actually building one. 

In my opinion, Roku is innovating and finding ways to get into homes. For $300, you get a projector than can display an image up to 60” and the Roku streaming stick. The projector can also be used on battery for over 2 hours. Talk about taking your TV with you. Now just bundle in a Wi-Fi hotspot from Verizon or AT&T and you have a mobile TV setup streaming Hulu, Netflix and more. Also you can use the projector with any HDMI capable device it seems completely replacing a TV for some.

This is definitely a great move by Roku and 3M.