I'm not an Apple fan. But this does look rather cool

On the other side, it does raise some questions:

1) What is the burn-out time for one of those projector bulbs? And when it does run out, what will a replacement cost, and will I be able to change it myself? Somehow I suspect the answer is going to be 'buy yourself a new iPhone'.

2) How will using the projector affect battery life? How many lumens will it produce, and what is the realistic display range?

3) Mobile projectors aren't new – so why should Apple get a patent for it? Does Samsumg have a patent on theirs? From a few years ago: http://www.gizmag.com/samsung-pico-projector-mobile-phone/10773/

Reshared post from +Mike Elgan

Is this the iPhone of the future? Should it be?

Apple was recently granted patents for a "pico projector" — a tiny projector small enough to be built into a phone. Is this what they're going to do with it?

Props to Aatma Studio for creating the CGI and 9to5 Mac for the story:

http://9to5mac.com/2011/08/24/san-francisco-design-shop-envisions-iphone-5-with-laser-keyboard-and-holographic-display-concept-video/