Optoma's Neo-i iPhone/iPod Dock Comes with Built-in Pico Projector

If you find yourself searching for the right iPhone/iPad docking station but don't seem to manage among all the similarly looking docks available out there, then you should definitely check out the Neo-i, Optoma adding a pico projector to what is basically you standard iPod dock.

Thanks to this projector, the device is able to display images as large as 120 inches using a resolution of 854x480 pixels, so you can share effortlessly pictures and video stored on your iPhone or iPod with friends or family, the Neo-i coming with Apple's standard 30-pin connector so this can also recharge your phone.

Apart from photos this device is also compatible with all the apps that support TV-out, such as Netflix, Apple's iPad being also supported provided that you purchase an optional Optoma accessory kit.

Furthermore, the Neo-i features both HDMI and VGA inputs making this dock compatible with a wide range of video enabled devices, a remote control being also bundled with the device so you won't have to get off your couch if you want to change song, tune the volume up or skip to the next video.

Audio power is rated at 16W while the projector comes with a rather low 50 lumens of brightness, so a pretty dark room is required if you want a decent picture quality, the contrast ratio being rated at 2000:1.

An A/V jack as well as a audio out port are also available, the Neo-i's integrated projector also displaying song and video titles when an Apple device is being used as the input source.

However cool it may sound, unfortunately, the Neo-i is not without its flaws and, although it manages to add a breath of fresh air to the world of iPhone/iPad docking stations, it does so while carrying a pretty hefty price tag, Optoma's dock being available for no less than $449.

If the price isn't a deal breaker for you, then you should know the Neo-i will become available in mid-December, just in time for Christmas it seems. (via PCMag)