Hasta La Gadget!

Remember that itsy bitsy GoPro competitor we spotted at Sony’s CE Week booth earlier this summer? Well, it’s gearing up for an official release late next month. Dubbed Action Cam — a fitting name given that it’ll live mounted anywhere from sky diving helmets to downhill skis — it’ll ship in late September or early October for $199. In a surprising twist, the incredibly small HD shooter will also be getting WiFi — that version will be available for $270. Both cameras are identical save for wireless functionality, but considering that WiFi enables remote configuration and viewfinder capability for framing your shots (there’s no video-capable LCD on the device itself), you’re gonna want to shell out the extra 70 bucks. Regardless of which flavor you choose, you’ll net a very capable camcorder with a 16-megapixel Exmor R sensor (great for low-light shooting) and fixed-zoom Carl Zeiss lens, complete with SteadyShot image stabilization, a 1080/30p capture mode and a 720p option at 120 frames-per-second, enabling some pretty slick slow-motion effects.

The Action Cam is a modular system, so you can count on a bevy of accessories — there will even be a “Handycam Adaptor,” which comes complete with a 2-7inch display and a familiar camcorder interface. More standard options include an adhesive mount pack ($20, though two ship with the cam), a bar/bike mount ($30), angle mount ($30), a replacement housing that’s waterproof to 60 meters and offers a standard tripod socket ($40 — you’ll get one in the box), two head straps ($25-30) and a suction cup ($30). It also uses removable storage (microSD), a swappable battery, and includes HDMI, USB and audio input jacks.

We weren’t able to take the camera out on any wild adventure shoots, though plenty of professionals have, from the looks of the demo reel on display at Sony’s event (and included at the end of our hands-on video after the break). We did get to play with the remote viewfinder feature, however, paired with the Android PlayMemories app (also available for iOS). This tool worked quite well over WiFi, with decent response and a usable framerate (for framing you shot, at least). The Action Cam itself feels quite solid, despite its size, especially when paired with the thick plastic housing (it’s designed for use both underwater, and on land). What we’re not quite clear on is battery life, which will surely factor into any purchase decision — that detail will likely come to light as we near launch. You can take a closer look at the camera and accessories in our gallery below, and the hands-on video (complete with remote viewfinder demo) after the break.

Continue reading Sony’s tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on)

Filed under: Cameras

Sony’s tiny ruggedized Action Cam gets official with 16MP Exmor R, WiFi, $199+ price tag (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook has given developers that link to the social network with Open Graph a new way let let users play tag with their friends — while also increasing exposure to their app. It’s called mention tagging, and allows a user to link a friend in the text body of a message, and is not to be confused with action tagging, an existing feature which references friends only in story text. The option requires a deliberate action by the user, so the developer must implement a way to clearly show how to do that with an icon (as shown above for Foursquare) or drop-down menu, for instance. Apps must also distinguish between action and mention tags, and are not allowed to pre-fill them in the message — that can only be done by the user. Though no privacy changes are needed, Facebook requires apps using the feature to request user approval before any action can be taken. All that would increase tagging and app visibility significantly — so developers will likely be all over it.

Filed under: Internet

Facebook adds mention tagging to Open Graph for more efficient name-dropping originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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OK people, here’s the plan: get Lego builder mmccooey and beat the crap out of him until he gives us the precise instructions to build his amazing and fully posable Batman action figure made out of Lego. Or just ask him nicely. It can go either way. More »

If you live life to the extreme, and want to document it, then you need to check out the new JVC GC-XA1 ADIXXION camcorder. It has a bunch of features, and the ruggedness of this device will let you take it with you anywhere. And you can look really cool if you wear it with goggles, like this guy:

The GC-XA1 ADDIXION weighs 4.48 oz, is waterproof to 16.4 feet, shockproof to resist a fall from 6.5 feet, dustproof and freeze-proof. It has Wi-Fi connectivity, a 1.5-inch LCD monitor, image stabilization, full HD at 1920 ×1080 at 30p and 1280 × 720 at 60p. Video is stored in MP4 format, allowing you to quickly watch it on a smartphone of laptop.

It comes with a goggle mount, flexible mount, and two lens protection covers. It will be available later this summer for $349.95 (USD).

Clearly JVC has seen the popularity of the GoPro line of cameras and is taking aim with this model.

[via Ubergizmo]

It’s lights, camera, action cam over at Sony’s blog. The company is giving the world a teaser of a new “hi-def wearable video camera” that looks to be an answer to the GoPros and Contours of the world. Sony offered up a handful of shots, including one of the camcorder encased in rugged plastic, mounted atop a helmet. According to the blog, the lightweight camera features SteadyShot image stabilization and an ultra-wide angle lens from Carl Zeiss. Sony’s promised more info to come, naturally, until then, you can peep more shots in the source link below.

Continue reading Sony teases ruggedly handsome ‘action camera,’ has GoPro in its sights

Sony teases ruggedly handsome ‘action camera,’ has GoPro in its sights originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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