One of the strongest segments of anticipated growth are Pico Embedded models, which are projectors built into other mobile devices such as cell phones, cameras and camcorders. Pacific Media Associates forecast a 66% growth rate for this segment, to nearly 1.5 million units shipped worldwide in 2013 and again expect that figure to double in 2014. By the year 2016, worldwide unit shipments in this category are forecast to reach 6.4 million units.
Another bright spot in the New Era forecast is the New Era Integrated projector category, which includes battery-powered Pico Companion projectors, as well as Personal, and Gaming/Toy projectors. Pacific Media Associates forecast a very strong 68% growth rate for this segment, to over 1.4 million units shipped worldwide in 2013, and expect unit volume to again more than double in 2014. Exponential growth is anticipated to continue through 2016, where worldwide volumes will reach more than 5.9 million units.
“Pico and Personal projectors continue to gain momentum as the technology improves,” says Pacific Media Associates analyst Jack Segal. “People like their mobile devices, and are embracing the ability to share photos and videos straight from their phones and cameras. As personal projectors become brighter and their resolutions become higher, they are ideal for road warriors making small group presentations, so the corporate sector sees the value in these projectors as well”.