Home projectors are becoming a common sight in many households, especially those who have not only cut the cord but also banished large screens from the living room. These alternative displays bring an element of portability to entertainment, especially those that can be taken outdoors and used anywhere, provided there’s ample ambient darkness. Despite that flexibility, the design of these projectors still has plenty of room for improvement, especially when it comes to multi-angle stands.
Some projectors, specifically the ultra-short throw kind, sit near a wall so you don’t have to worry about such angles, but that’s not the case with portable projectors and long throw models. Incorporating stands in a way that is both functional and aesthetic might not be as simple as it sounds, and TCL’s solution is to inject a bit of playful character into the Playcube projector, taking a page from a physical puzzle enjoyed by people of all ages and from all walks of life.
Designer: TCL
Now half a century old, the Rubik’s Cube has long enchanted hundreds of people, even those who might consider themselves less inclined to play puzzle games and toys. The multi-colored cube might look simple on the surface, but the puzzle requires patience, practice, and creativity to solve. Fortunately, a projector inspired by it doesn’t require the same effort but still brings to mind the spirit of fun and adventure in each twist.
Of course, the TCL Playcube isn’t a literal puzzle, unless you consider setting the perfect angle for the projector as such. Rather than some flimsy or unattractive stand, let alone an external tripod, the Playcube uses its own body to set the projector’s angle. You do this by twisting one side of the box, exactly like a Rubik’s cube. It’s a simple mechanism that’s easy enough to understand and doesn’t require too much work to use.
As fun as it might sound and look, the design does bring some puzzles of its own. For one, this patented rotation mechanism might not be as stable as a proper stand, but that mostly depends on where you’ll be placing it. The Playcube’s boxy body isn’t the most compact shape either, but it can at least be easier to pack with other items since it doesn’t have irregularly shaped parts.
TCL hasn’t given the exact specifications for the projector other than its built-in battery for outdoor use, a fabric-wrapped speaker module, and sealed optical technology for dust resistance. The 750 ISO lumens projection might be a little worrying though, as it will require a very dark area to make out clear details. We’ll probably know more closer to the TLC Playcube’s launch date later this year.
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