The Members Forum

It's Friday, so why not some speculation about what will be included in the iPhone 5? According to Ticonderoga Securities, two possibilities for next-generation smartphones like Apple's iPhone include mini embedded pico projectors and mobile DTV.

Ticonderoga analysts on Friday wrapped up meetings with tech companies in Taipei, where they talked about new features that could come to smartphones and tablets.

"We believe the next generation Apple iPhone 5 represents an attractive candidate for this feature," analyst Brian White wrote in a note, referring to mobile DTV. "Watching local TV stations on a smartphone could be an attractive option for some consumers."

White also pointed to pico projectors, which could allow users to project a slide presentation or video on a wall or other large surface area. That "makes sense for the iPhone 5 in our view as Apple seeks to expand the features in the next generation iPhone," White wrote.

"Not only do we believe both features could have appeal for smartphones such as the iPhone and other leading brands but also tablet devices such as the iPad could benefit from these expanded capabilities," he continued.

Ticonderoga predicted iPad sales of about 5.95 million for the December quarter, while feedback on the Samsung Galaxy Tab "has been positive," White said.

Doug Reid, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus, however, was not convinced about the pico projectors. "We continue to believe that limited green laser supply in 2011 and the excessive power consumer profile and limited brightness of existing Microvision technology will delay a meaningful ramp of pico projectors for embedded use in consumer mobile devices until 2012 at the earliest," Reid wrote in a note of his own, which was reported by Barrons.

Microvision makes parts for pico projectors; the company saw a surge in shares after the release of the Ticonderoga report. Last month, Microvision unveiled its second-generation laser pico projector, which it said has a 50 percent brighter display in a compact size.

PC Mag has the details HERE!