Sony Shows Touch Projector, Plans Echo Discount Tied to Sony 4K TV Purchases

Sony demoed its Xperia touch projector at its Holiday Showcase in New York Wednesday, showing how the technology turns a flat surface into a 10-point touch screen. The 720p Xperia Touch projects an image up to 80 inches but touch-screen mode is available only in the 23-inch projection size, a spokesman told us. The projector’s home screen showed an array of apps available in touch-screen mode, including Google Maps, Google Earth, Skype, Real Piano, Warm Oil Painting and Chess. The projector includes homegrown Sony voice control. The touch functionality enables “collaborative gaming” for families, he said. Sony is planning a promotion tied to Amazon Alexa devices, Joseph Sam, a Sony product marketing trainer, told us during an OLED TV demo at the event. The TV maker announced last week that its Android TVs can be controlled via Alexa after customers install a firmware update (see 1707130036). Sam said under the promotion, customers who buy a 4K Sony TV will get an offer for $15 off an Echo device purchase. Further details weren’t available.