Leave it to Apple to create the coolest projector yet

Image: Patently Apple

Just the other day, the e! team was discussing ways to capitalize on new technology to improve our presentations. Like many of our clients, we still rely on traditional means -- projectors or LCD monitors powered by a laptop -- but we want to use a handheld device, like an iPad, to wirelessly run the show. This conversation spun off a flurry of research within our office that will undoubtedly help us improve our presentations.

But that was last week. Yesterday, a patent was uncovered that gave us a glimpse into what Apple has planned for our future. It appears that they're integrating a projector into their iPhones and iPads, which is great, but not really newsworthy since other devices are already doing that.

The headline to this story is that the projection will recognize gestures. Not the device, but the projection. You could interact with your projections by enlarging an area of an image or moving elements. Basically, whatever you could do on your touch device would be possible on the projected image.

This advancement could help us improve the quality of our presentations, but it could also enable us to collaborate in a more meaningful way. Our brainstorming or critique sessions could take on a whole new life if multiple people could interact with the projected digital elements.

Now to hope that Apple develops the technology quickly.

If you want more details about the Apple patent and the projector technology, check out Wired.com's coverage of the story.