Smart Cast Specs: Lenovo Claims New Smartphone Can Turn Any Surface Into a Touchscreen

Lenovo

Lenovo boasts that its latest smartphone has a feature that can turn any flat surface into a touchscreen.

Dubbed as the Smart Cast, the device comes with a built-in laser projector that can display a virtual keyboard on a table top, Gizmodo reported.

The Chinese company unveiled its latest concept product during its recent Tech World event. On the outside, the Smart Cast handset almost looks like an ordinary smartphone like the ones currently available in the market.

But during the demonstration, a representative from Lenovo propped up the device using the built-in kickstand on its rear cover. Then, the projector located on top of the display was turned on. This projected a virtual keyboard in front of the smartphone.

Impressively, the user can interact with the keyboard and type messages which are then displayed on the device's screen. This also works with a projected virtual piano keyboard which was demonstrated by pianist Lang Lang.

Aside from table tops and other horizontal surfaces, the device's projector can also display images on walls. Lenovo said this featured can be used to watch movies or even play games.

"Users can transform their wall into a movie theater to watch videos, give a presentation, or even play games like 'Fruit Ninja' using hang gestures on the table or cast onto the wall," the company said during the presentation according to Ecumenical News.

Although the laser projector of Smart Cast is an innovative feature that can propel Lenovo in the smartphone race, Pocket Lint noted that it has some issues.

For instance, while using the virtual keyboard, the site noted that shadows hovering over the image can interfere with the user's typing experience.

As for the Smart Cast's other technical features, Lenovo did not mention the devices specs such as its processors, internal memory and screen resolution settings. The company also did not provide a release date for the device or if it will debut in the U.S.