Taipei, July 3, 2009 (CENS)--Taiwan`s optical lens makers are moving to focus on the handheld-projector market, with Asia Optical Co., Ltd. planning to begin volume production of two projectors sometime in the second half this year, while Young Optics Inc. expected to win contracts from LG in the meantime.

Asia Optical executives pointed out that the handheld projector market would begin to take off this year and the company would develop projectors built in mobile phones after producing stand-alone projectors. The company has co-developed two handheld projectors with Microvision Inc. of the United States.

The pocket-sized projectors and laser TVs, or rear-projection TVs, are estimated to help boost Asia Optical`s revenue for the last quarter and this quarter by 40%, respectively.

After winning contracts to make light engines for Samsung`s mobile-phone projectors, Young Optics is striving for LG`s contracts. The company made NT$134 million (US$4 million at US$1:NT$33), or NT$1.26 per share, in after-tax net income in the first quarter on cumulative revenue of NT$1.3 billion (US$41 million).


(by Ken Liu)