BenQ's new gaming projector throws a 100- to 150-inch image on the wall. Photo: BenQ
BenQ is known for making quality displays and monitor lights, but it also makes projectors. Its latest offering, the BenQ X3000i, can handle blazing-fast gaming at a refresh rate up to 240Hz, but it comes at quite a price — about two grand.
The Samsung Freestyle projects images, video or ambient lighting and works as a smart speaker. Photo: Samsung
At CES 2022, Samsung Electronics showed a new portable screen and entertainment device it’s calling “The Freestyle.” The company also called the device the first of its kind. It’s a small projector and smart speaker that works with iOS and Android devices to stream video or sync audio to ambient lighting.
Buying for a Mac fan? Start here! Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
We’ve shown you the best gifts for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users, but what if the person you’re buying for is a long-time Apple fan whose first love was the Mac? Then you should start your shopping right here!
This guide is filled with awesome accessories and gadgets that every Mac addict will enjoy. We’ve handpicked only the best — things we’ve used, reviewed, and would recommend — so that you can be sure your hard-earned cash is being well spent.
Check out our gift guide selections for Mac users below.
The AirPower alternative that won't break the bank. Photo: Plux
Apple’s upcoming AirPower charger is expected to cost a small fortune when it finally makes its debut (who knows when that will be). But there are more affordable options — like Plux, which also charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously.
It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have a retro game console that’s small enough to carry on your keychain, an affordable “smart pen” for iPad, and more.
Back in the 1970s and 1980s, and maybe into the 1990s (I spent much of that decade drunk, so it’s all a little hazy), there was a phrase that could turn even the toughest and most sociable of us into terrified, dread-filled jellies. You would be invited to a friends house for drinks and maybe dinner, to celebrate their successful return from a trip to the furthest corners of the world.
You’d be all set, happy to see them and spend some time chatting over drinks, and then the words would come. “There will be a slideshow.”
In the times of film, this meant a darkened room, a humming projector and lots of very dull commentary. And after dinner, it was almost impossible to stay awake.
Which brings me to the new The Projecteo Gift Set, which is either an awesome modern-day take on the slideshow, or a way to get revenge on your show-off friends from decades past. It could even be both…
BenQ has launched a new portable projector which will work alongside your iOS devices. Called the GP10, the device will take the movies and TV shows you have stored on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and project them into a 40-inch high-definition image fit for any home cinema. It has a ton of cool features, too.
Apple must have a hard time thinking of ways in which it can improve the design of the iPhone; after all, it already looks pretty terrific. But this concept design for a transparent device is by far the most beautiful iPhone we’ve ever seen. In fact, it pains me to realize we’ll never see an iPhone like this.
Kanex adapter and Apple TV bring AirPlay to virtually any venue
AirPlay and AirPlay Mirroring add a lot of value to the second and third generation Apple TVs. Paired with a recent iPad or the iPhone 4S, an Apple TV can instantly become a gaming solution and a theater for home movies – and will be amazing when combined with Mountain Lion when it ships this summer.
AirPlay also turns that Apple TV into powerful and extremely portable presentation system that’s a great fit for the classroom or the board room. The only challenge is that the Apple TV’s only output option is an HDMI port, which can be a big problem for connecting to older display technologies including many projectors and computer displays – a problem solved by cable and adapter maker Kanex.
Although several rather bizarre rumors have claimed Apple will integrate a projector into a future iPhone, it seems a little unlikely — at least for many years. But thanks to PoP Video, you can add your own projector that displays 960 x 540 video for just $99.
At Cult of Mac we’re huge fans of going to the movies. Few experiences can compare to seeing pretty boy Ryan Gosling beating the crap out of Ron Perlman on a towering 70ft x 30ft screen. As long as the film doesn’t feature Shia LaBeouf then we’re down to watch it (sometimes we’ll even make an exception for the former Even Stevens star). The only problem is that showing up to the movie theater in your underwear is frowned upon in most countries. Thankfully, Epson makes some pretty kick ass projectors that bring the movie theater experience to your home so you don’t have to bother with those weird things called “pants.”
This week we’re really lucky to be teaming up with the awesome folks at Epson to give away a brand new iPhone-compatible projector. $700 is already a pretty awesome price for their superb projector, but because it’s Christmas, they’re generously letting us giveaway their brand new MegaPlex MG-50HD Projector for free! Without a doubt this is the coolest projector we’ve ever gotten our hands on. It comes with two built-in 10-watt speakers, a dock for your iPhone or iPad and is incredibly portable so you can take the fun with you wherever you go.
Speaking from experience, watching Home Alone and Elf on this thing will make the holidays 50 times more pleasurable no matter which of your annoying family members decides to pay you a visit for Christmas.