Researchers at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria have developed a new kind of image sensor that could one day revolutionize the form factor of digital cameras. Instead of a postage stamp-sized digital eye, the sensor is a flat, flexible, transparent plastic sheet that could be invisibly overlayed on displays, or just used as is. More »
Microsoft believes every Android device maker owes money for (reportedly) using its patents, and it’s been striking a lot of matching royalty deals that mostly focus on phone designers. While there wasn’t necessarily much doubt, we can confirm today that dedicated camera makers aren’t exempt: Nikon just signed a similar deal. Although the terms are once again secret, the agreement will see Nikon pay Microsoft a royalty for “certain” cameras running Android, which likely involves the Coolpix S800c as well as any future shooters. In case you’re wondering, Samsung’s broader patent license deal already covers the Galaxy Camera. This new pact mostly gives Nikon equal treatment — and shows that Microsoft casts a wide net.
Filed under: Cameras, Microsoft, Nikon
Source: Microsoft
Are you tired of paying the outrageous markups that camera manufacturers like Canon and Nikon are asking for their hardware? Fight back with Coralie Gourguechon’s open source Craft Camera that comes with some—actually all—assembly required. More »
If the NFL ever loosens its strict equipment standards, it might one day be able to provide fans with a unique view of the game thanks to research being done at Carnegie Mellon University. Kris Kitani, a postdoctoral research fellow at the school, has developed a clever piece of software that can stabilize footage captured from a camera-equipped spinning ball. More »
Since creating regular panorama shots is so last year, LG’s come up with a new option for its Optimus G Pro. We first heard about Panorama VR camera app during the launch of the 5.5-inch handset, and now the Korean company’s just outed a YouTube video showing how it works. It looks very similar, but not identical to Google’s latest Photo Sphere update, letting you pan in different directions while photos of the scene are captured and stitched automatically. The software compiles it into a large panorama file that lets you pan and zoom into the scene, exactly like the recent Android 4.2 option. We’ve reached out to LG to see if there’s any relation between the two apps, but more choice is always better anyway, no? Check the video after the break to see it in action.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, LG
Source: LG (YouTube)
Two days is a long time in tech. One day, a company’s announcing a new iteration of its hybrid Android camera, next thing you know, it’s already passing the FCC’s tests. You probably know the drill by now and with even less radios than the original Galaxy Camera, there’s less paperwork to browse this round. But if exposure reports are your sort of thing, then you should probably visit the source — there’s reading to be done. Two things not mentioned, however, is that darn release date and price tag.
Source: FCC
Most of the post-processing done by a camera is handled by software that MIT researchers believe could be a lot smarter, faster, and user-friendly. So they’re developing a single chip that can handle these operations with remarkable efficiency. More »
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of Canon’s Mixed Reality system — not by a long shot. The company’s trotted its augmented reality headset out a few times before. The camera maker did, however, take the opportunity to shed some light on its US plans for the head-mounted display yesterday at an event held in Manhattan’s Classic Car Club. Surrounded by the classy convertibles, the company also unveiled the more streamlined (and vaguely Cypress Hill-esque) MREAL name. As before, the headset is decidedly industry-facing, targeting product prototypers with an augmented reality system that lets designers interact with computer-generated versions of their creations before actually willing them into existence.
The MREAL System for Mixed Reality (that’s the full name — or, if you want to drill down even further: the headset is the HM-A1 and the software platform is MP-100) generates video of one’s surroundings using a pair of cameras positioned in front of the wearer’s eyes, which is combined with computer-generated graphics. The result is displayed on a pair of small monitors “to create high-impact, three-dimensional images.” Amongst the potential target audiences for the product are automotive designers, manufacturers, university researchers and museum exhibit curators. Canon’s also planning to open up its SDK to developers, so applications will likely only increase.
As per Canon’s press release, the MREAL system is set for a March 1st release, priced on a sliding scale, depending on which configuration you opt into — though the company tossed out the steep $125,000 price point, along with $25,000 in annual maintenance. The aforementioned press release can be found after the break — or better yet, have a look at our hands-on with the device right now.
Thought Google Glass cost a pretty penny? Well, try this head-mounted display on for size. It’s that Mixed Reality wearable from Canon that we’ve been hearing so much about. As previously noted, it’s set to hit the States the first of next month, carrying a decidedly gigantic $125,000 price tag (plus an estimated $25,000 in annual maintenance). But before you go writing a brashly worded letter to the bigwigs at Canon, remember: this isn’t really for you. That is, unless you’re an automotive manufacturer, research university or museum display curator. This is a heavy-duty, industry-facing device.
That said, the camera maker did give a few of us non-industry folks the chance to play around with the display at an event in Manhattan last night, while the rest of the tech world was fawning over that fancy new PlayStation thingamabob. Having spent some time with Sony’s HMZ-T1, we’ve got to say that the experience of wearing this far, far more high-end product wasn’t all that different from a hardware perspective: slip it over your head, place it on the bridge of your nose and tighten. It’s possible to get it snug without being too uncomfortable — and when it’s time to take it off, a flip of the lever will remove it in one go.
Nikon has introduced its latest and greatest HD-SLR (single-lens reflex) camera due to be ready for sale in March.
Compact and lightweight magnesium alloy body with a specially designed 24.1 megapixel image sensor, superior low-light performance, ultra-precise autofocus and metering and advanced video recording.
It employs Nikon’s unique DX-format CMOS image sensor, which can be paired with NIKKOR DX- and FX-format lenses.
The specs on this camera are nice:
51-point auto-focus …
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