Author: Amanda Giasson

A “magic mirror” device for children offers fun educational experience.

Augmented reality (AR) technology can be fun and educational and Chinese Shenzen-based company Xiaoxi Technology is combining both these aspects in its new Miraffe “all-knowing magic mirror.” Miraffe is a yellow, hand-held mirror-shaped device with a giraffe-inspired design (including a giraffe spotted handle as well as ears, knobs and eyes on top of the bezel). The AR tech has been specifically created for children and features a phone-sized screen and a front-facing camera, which recognizes objects and links animated characters with the real world, providing children with educational apps and the ability to video chat with parents.

Miraffe can do more than recognize and name objects

The device can recognize everyday objects, such as a phone and calculator, according to Variety, and it can also spell the word for each object it recognizes in both English and Chinese. According to a spokesperson from the company, presently, Miraffe has a 60 to 70% accuracy object recognition rate. While impressive to say the least, there is still room for improvement.

That being said, the device does more than simply name objects. It also comes with numerous interactive AR cards that are both fun and educational. These picture paper cards feature various animals such as tigers, fish, zebra, etc., which can be viewed by the Miraffe’s camera, and appear as 3D animated images through the screen. The user can obtain a life-like 360 degree view of the 3D animals by tapping and dragging the animals on the screen.

Miraffe offers a more affordable and less complicated approach to AR tech.

Although Miraffe’s augmented reality approach isn’t exactly unique, what makes it notable is that it is an AR device designed specifically for children and, as Variety puts it, has opened up “a middle ground between general purpose mobile phones and expensive headsets or glasses.”

Instead of requiring an expensive and complex gadget to make augmented reality work, Miraffe has shown that it can be done with a simple toy that is fun for children and easy for them to use.

Currently, Xiaoxi Technology is running a Kickstarter campaign for Miraffe, which is selling a limited number of the devices for $99. However, the company intends to sell its AR tech device for a suggested retail price of $300 later this year.

Turn any flat surface into an Android tablet with a small projector.

The Lazertouch mini projector is the first of its kind in the world and has the ability to transform any flat surface into a finger-activated touchscreen. Recently launched on international crowdfunding website, Indiegogo, the company behind the mini projector claims that the projector can support anywhere from 20 to150 inch screen sizes and that users can operate the screen by using a stylus or their finger.

The technology can recognize several finger gestures, making it easy to use.

The laser touch technology emits an invisible laser beam, parallel to the projection screen. When the user’s finger touches the laser beam the sensor detects it, enabling the flat surface to function just like an Android tablet touchscreen.

With the Lazertouch mini projector users can click, slide, zoom, adjust volume by sliding up and down on the upper right side outside of the screen, among other convenient functions.

The projector is portable and is equipped with an interior 13,600mAh battery. It actually runs Android, providing a touchscreen-optimized operating system as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, downloadable apps, speakers, 32GB of storage and ports for HDMI, USB, Micro SD, and headphones.

The technology was designed and developed by Shanghai Easi. It has been in the works for five years and obtained seven patents, according to the company.

Lazertouch mini projector is great for office presentations and even for watching 3D movies at home.

The mini projector features a desktop projection mode, which functions like a tablet PC. It also has a wall projection mode, which provides users with an interactive white board. Its 3D holographic projections makes it ideal for business meetings and even advertising.

In addition to being an excellent tool for office presentations, Lazertouch allows users to watch 4K, 3D and even 200-inch HD movies at home. It can also project musical instruments and supports immersive VR gaming.

Should it hit the market, the suggested retail price for the Lazertouch mini projector – which comes with an IR e-pen stylus, pointer and remote control – will be $650. However, those who are interested in preordering the device via the Indiegogo campaign can do so for $475.