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3M has announced that the latest additions to its line of pocket projectors-the MP160 and 3M MP180- offer 30 lumens of brightness, 2-hour battery life and SVGA resolution. The products are aimed at business professionals who want to share presentations, video and more from the road.
The MP180 allows users to present PowerPoint files, videos, photos or documents with one-touch capability. A touch screen makes operation tactile, while WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth compatibility enable Internet browsing and file transfer from laptops or smartphones. The MP180 also features an integrated MP3 player, 4 gigabytes of internal memory, a microSD card slot and a USB port.
For business users looking for a more streamlined device, the MP160 offers the same brightness, resolution and portability as the MP180, at a lower price point. This projector is sold with VGA and composite video cables, which makes it possible to connect the MP160 to virtually any device that outputs video.
The MP160 and MP180 are now available for preorder from shop3M.com and amazon.com. Orders will begin shipping in early October, the company said. The MP180 has an estimated price of $399, and MP160 has an estimated price of $349.
Both the MP160 and MP180 feature more powerful stereo speakers and an audio output, so users can connect headphones or external speakers. In addition, both have an integrated flip stand, tripod and a variety of input cables. Available optional accessories include an adapter cable for Apple products, a car charger and a presentation binder. Optional accessories for all 3M pocket projectors are sold separately, a company release noted.
“The 3M MP160 and MP180 truly offer something for everyone,” said Mark Colin, vice president of 3M’s mobile interactive solutions division. “The MP180’s unmatched versatility and extensive feature set are perfect for the mobile road warrior, while the MP160 is an ideal accessory for those who don’t need a lot of extra features and prefer a straight pass-through device. And, with 2 hours battery life, people can rest assured that they will be able to get through just about any presentation without needing to recharge.”
The company also announced it acquired Attenti Holdings from an investor group led by Francisco Partners, for a purchase price of $230 million in cash. Based in Tel Aviv, Attenti is a supplier of remote people monitoring technologies used for a variety of offender monitoring applications, such as people awaiting trial or on probation, and to assist eldercare facilities in monitoring and enhancing the safety of patients. Attenti employs approximately 340 people at its operational locations in Tel Aviv; Tampa, Fla.; Naperville, Ill.; and Milwaukee, as well as in Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Sydney. Sales for 2010 are expected to be approximately $100 million. The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
“This acquisition will position our track and trace business as a leader in the high growth electronic offender monitoring market and add Global Positioning System [GPS] and active radio frequency [RF] technology and capability to our portfolio,” said Rory Yanchek, general manager of 3M’s track and trace solutions division. “The addition of Attenti’s location tracking capability enhances the value we can deliver to our customers around the world.”