Samsung Electronics has debuted a novel portable projector called the Freestyle that weighs just 830 grams and sports a unique, moving-light style design.
The intriguing, barrel-shaped projector is held within a cradle that permits 180-degrees of rotation, and boasts auto-levelling, auto-keystone and auto-focus functionality.
With a resolution of 1080p and brightness rated at 550 nits, the Freestyle can project an image ranging from 30-inches diagonally up to 100-inches, Samsung said. It also has a 360-degree, five watt speaker built in, plus a far-field microphone array that works with Amazon Alexa and Samsung’s own Bixby voice assistant. The projector can also be controlled via the supplied remote control or through the Samsung Smart Things applications.
As expected, it runs Samsung’s Tizen OS and has plenty of apps, including Disney+, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. There’s also a single HDMI port to connect to external media, while users have the option to mirror content from Android and iOS devices too.
Strangely, the Freestyle doesn’t appear to have an internal battery. Rather, it is said to be compatible with external batteries that support USB-PD and 50W/20V, though it doesn’t ship with one in the box. Samsung said it will build its own compatible power pack, which will be sold separately.
Luckily, the Freestyle can be plugged directly into a power socket, or with the aid of another separately-sold accessory, screw into any E26 lightbulb socket. So the Freestyle can even be suspended from the ceiling, if someone prefers to do it that way.
Samsung does include one accessory in the box – a diffusing lens cover that works when the projector is set in Ambient mode, producing automated mood lighting effects that sync to music.
Samsung said the Freestyle is available to pre-order in the U.S. and Australia today, with prices starting at $899 (around £660). It will launch in other regions in the coming months.
