Microvision Features Advanced Pico Projector Prototypes at CTIA Wireless 2008

REDMOND, Wash., Mar 31, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At CTIA Wireless 2008, Microvision (NASDAQ:MVIS), a leader in the development of ultra-miniature projection display and image capture technology for mobile devices will demonstrate advanced pico projector prototypes enabled by the company's PicoP(TM)- display engine. Microvision expects the PicoP will first be incorporated as a handheld accessory product that can connect to multiple consumer devices to project large, vibrant color images onto any surface. Additionally, the Company is designing PicoP to meet the size and power requirements necessary to allow it to be integrated inside cell phones and other consumer devices.
"Consumers want a much better viewing experience than they currently get from their small mobile device displays," stated Alexander Tokman, Microvision President and CEO. "PicoP enabled devices are expected to let consumers project and share large, high-resolution, color-rich images onto any surface from devices such as cell phones, PDA's, laptops, portable DVD players and hand-held gaming devices. Whether projecting TV, digital photos, movies, presentation slides or content from internet browsing to social networking, we are confident that PicoP enabled devices can deliver outstanding experiences to consumers and should soon be some of the hottest new products on the market."

At the Microvision booth #4411, the company is featuring:

SHOW(TM), an advanced prototype of a PDA-sized, battery-powered, 'plug-and-play' pico projector. Microvision's stand-alone pico projector prototype connects directly to laptops, mobile phones, portable media players (PMPs), digital cameras and other mobile devices to project large, high-resolution images and video onto any surface. The projected display is always in focus and can range anywhere from 8 inches (20 cm) to 100 inches (2.5 m) in size depending upon the ambient lightning conditions. A production version of an accessory device is expected to offer approximately 2.5 hours of continuous battery life, sufficient to watch a full-length movie without a need for recharging.

In addition to the public demonstration of the SHOW accessory prototype, Microvision plans to demonstrate in private to select customers the completion of the first embedded PicoP into a fully-functioning, prototype mobile device. Motorola and Microvision are working together to demonstrate this prototype, project market demand, and gauge consumer interest and requirements.

Whether designed as an accessory device, like the SHOW prototype, or embedded directly into a cell phone, Microvision stated that PicoP-enabled devices can project a widescreen, WVGA (848 X 480 pixels), DVD-quality image -- offering a very different experience from the tiny 2-inch display solutions available today on various portable devices. Designed for viewing high-quality projected information in a variety of controlled lighting environments, the PicoP projection angle is nearly twice that of many competing products, leading to an image that is more than 3 times the size for the same projection distance. This, coupled with the always in focus operation, and higher perceived brightness enables PicoP to deliver a compelling and user-friendly experience.

According to Microvision the PicoP display engine has already attracted the interest of numerous device manufacturers, carriers and content providers. Additionally, Microvision has recently announced a variety of agreements with global supply chain partners who are expected to support high-volume production of the PicoP display engine, as well as integration of the PicoP display engine into commercial products.