Hasta La Gadget!

Street View’s fine for navigation, but we’re sure plenty more people use it just for their armchair tourism. Google has now turned its attention to giving thrill-seekers a chance to gaze out from the top of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Using Trekker backpacks and trolleys, it took the Googlers three days to capture the images from both the viewing gallery on the 124th floor and the window cleaning gantry on the 80th. Curious to experience some of that vertigo for yourself? Video’s after the break.

Filed under: Cameras, GPS, Google

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Via: Official Google Blog

Source: Google Street View

We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from Diego, who wants to give his son the gateway drug into photography. If you’re looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m an amateur photographer, and my 10-year-old son has started to show an interest in what I do on weekends. I’ve shown him a thing or two on my DSLR and he wants to learn the basics, but I’d prefer it if he didn’t do it on my $1,500 rig. His birthday’s coming up, and I’d like to get him something that he can use for himself, that lets him customize ISO, white balance, aperture etc. Naturally, I was thinking of just a regular compact camera, but if you can suggest something else that won’t break the bank, I’ll gladly listen. Thanks!”

So, we turned this question over to one of our photo experts, who suggested that really, if you’ve got the budget for it, you might as well pick up a very old, very cheap DSLR. For instance, you can pick up an old Canon Rebel XT for around $200, and while it won’t be shiny and new, will let them play with features and settings beyond the average compact camera. But what do we know, eh? This is the part of the weekend where we poll our community for their sage wisdom, so have at it, chums.

Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras

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A camera that can keep a fast moving object in its sight is very useful. It could be adapted to cover sports or wartime events, or for academic and military purposes. That’s why a group of researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Ishikawa Oku Laboratory are working on a camera system that can automatically keep its eyes on the prize.

The current prototype uses two small mirrors that move independently of each other: one for panning and one for tilting. DigInfo says that the mirrors are controlled “in the order of milliseconds” and the camera can take an image every 1/1000th of a second. Even more impressive, the system can also be used in reverse. Instead of taking an image, it can project an image onto a fast moving object in real time. Imagine being able to tag an escaping prisoner or a wild animal. Or a celebrity.

I wonder if it could track a bullet.

[via DigInfo]

Fujifilm’s about to extend its line of mirrorless shooters packing manual dials and vintage looks, if a leak from Digicame Info is to be believed. The Japanese rumor site has flaunted pictures of a purported X-M1 model, which bears a strong resemblance to X-E1 we saw last year, minus the electronic viewfinder and shutter-speed selector dial. In place of the latter is a general mode selector, along with a tiltable LCD screen and WiFi, judging by the pictures above and after the break. While all that points to a cheaper model aimed at more casual shooters, there’s no word from the company about specs, pricing or a release date, obviously. As soon as we hear, of course, you’ll be the first to know.

Filed under: Cameras

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Source: Digicame Info (translated)

The first thing that strikes you about Samsung’s new Android-powered interchangeable-lens camera is how big that 4.8-inch AMOLED screen looks on the back of a camera. Even when it’s turned off, the blackness stares back at you like an enrapturing abyss.

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