Lenovo Showcases a 'Concept' Phone Featuring Virtual Keyboard

Chinese electronics giant Lenovo has unveiled a phone sporting built-in laser projector that can be used to display a virtual keyboard or display. The laser projector can also be used to beam images and videos onto walls.

The phone dubbed, Smart Cast, was unveiled yesterday at Lenovo's inaugural Tech World conference in Beijing.

The laser projector measures just 34mm by 26mm by 5mm and doesn't need focusing to project sharp images onto walls or other flat surfaces.

A Lenovo official, in a demo, used the virtual keyboard to play a version of The Entertainer.

Mike Lowe, reviews editor at gadget site Pocket-lint, who has tried out the phone said there was far less delay using the virtual keyboard with the Smart Cast than was apparent on other devices with similar input systems.

"The history of the projector phone is hardly rosy," he said, according to BBC. "Samsung launched the Galaxy Beam in 2012 and that bombed. It's not been a booming industry for any other manufacturer since."

"It's fun, but ultimately a gimmick," he added. "It's hard to be accurate with the increased scale of the keys for starters, plus the demo was in a dimly-lit room."

Lenovo also unveiled a smartwatch dubbed Magic view that features dual screens.