The WowWee Technologies Cinemin Swivel, a half VGA (480 x 320), DLP-based pocket projector, is meant primarily for photos and video rather than data. Rated at 8 lumens and for a maximum 60-inch image, the actual maximum image size depends largely on ambient light and how long a session you plan to use it for. Welcome touches include a 2 hour 20 minute battery life and an audio output, so you can easily hear a movie as well as see it. A possibly unique ability to swivel the front half of the projector as much as 90 degrees upwards to project images on a ceiling helps make it one of the more interesting pocket projectors, at $300 street.

Small, Light, and Highly Portable. Although the Cinemin Swivel is on the large side for a pocket projector, at .9- x 2.1- x 4.7-inches (HWD), or about the size of a generously-sized candy bar, it's still small and light enough, at 6.5 ounces, to fit comfortably in a shirt pocket. WowWee also includes a soft carrying case that's just large enough to hold the projector plus one set of video cables for a given type of connection.

Audio Output Jack. The small size of pocket projectors limits their audio systems and speakers so even at top volume the sound is hard to hear and easily drowned out by ambient noise. The Cinemin Swivel addresses that problem by adding an audio output jack. Plug in a headset (which you'll have to get separately) and you'll be able to hear reasonably high quality audio with a louder top volume than you'll probably want. Volume Up and Down buttons on the side of the projector make it easy to find a comfortable setting.

Excellent Flexibility for Power. One issue for any portable electronic device is the need for power. The Cinemin Swivel offers a 2 hour 20 minute battery life on a full charge -- long enough to watch most full length movies and significantly longer than much of the competition.

Just as important, when the battery dies, the projector offers a choice for what to do next. It uses a USB port for power (and for power only) and comes with a 3-foot USB cable that can connect from the projector to either a computer USB port or the projector's power block, which plugs into a wall socket. Either choice can recharge the battery or let you keep using the projector, but not both at the same time. WowWee says a full charge takes four hours using a power outlet and somewhat longer over a USB connection.

Another welcome touch is that WowWee includes a set of interchangeable wall plugs for the power block that work in North America, Europe (including UK), and Australia.

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