Conceptual hands-on photography

In movies, photographers would hold up their hands and form two L shape to use as a frame and compose their shots. This has almost become a universal sign of photography. But what if technology comes into play, and you can snap a shot at whatever is in the frame?

Japanese designer Mac Funamizu's idea of the future camera is just a pair of sunglasses and your hands. When you wear the shades and create the frame in front of it, Fumanizu said the eyewear will recognize the varying dimensions that the two L frames create and prompt you to take the picture by "shutting your left eye".

This is a really cool concept which takes point-and-shoots to another level. What would make this gadget even more super cool is to allow sunglasses to display useful information about the item you are looking at. Though this wishful thinking still belongs firmly in the realms of Minority Report and Terminator.

Via Trendhunter

Microsoft maps get Photosynth panoramas

Microsoft now lets people using its Live Search Maps service get a more immersive view by integrating the company's Photosynth panoramic viewer technology.

Photosynth stitches multiple images together into a 3D view, and people can in effect gaze around from a virtual vantage point. Areas with Photosynth views can be shown in the "explore collections" view of a map that also lets people see photos and other additions to a map.

I found the feature easy to use--even the Photosynth installation that had given me some headaches when I tried it during its early days. I still don't like the vast swath of empty green wasted space that could have been used to make the imagery even more immersive, though, and so far there aren't a huge number of places with Photosynth photos.
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Tomy beats Polaroid in digital instant photography race

Japanese toy maker Tomy Takara has beaten Polaroid to manufacture a camera with a built-in printer. The XIAO TIP-521 utilizes Zink's inkless printing technology to replicate what Polaroid has done with its instant film shooters.

The TIP-521 houses a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor, and the internal paper tray can accommodate approximately 20 pieces of 2- x 3-inch photo paper. Printing a borderless photograph will take about 1 minute, and the digital file is stored in the 16MB internal memory or on an SD/SDHC card. This is unlike traditional instant photography where only one copy of the picture is made.

Tentatively, it will only be available only in Japan from end November. Pricing wasn't announced, but I'm pretty sure it won't be cheap. Personally, I'd rather wait for Polaroid's version, which the US company said will be unveiled next year.

Record video Bond-style, sort of, with MovieStick

I don't remember any scene where James Bond has to secretly record anything, but if you do, the MovieStick camcorder that Swann announced on Thursday would come in handy.

Slightly larger than a pack of gum and weighing less than 7 ounces (198g), the MovieStick easily fits into your pocket and can be taken anywhere. It uses a removable microSD card (not included) to store recorded footage, up to 2.5 hours of video on a 2GB card. The device supports only older microSD cards (capped at 2GB). It can't handle high-capacity microSDs like those SanDisk recently announced.

The MovieStick's picture quality is about the same as that recorded by a cell phone. It uses 3GP video format and its CMOS image censor can offer an image resolution at only 176x144 pixels, for both videos and still photos.

The device uses a built-in lithium battery, which is rechargeable via a USB port. The battery provides enough power for the device to operate up to 2.5 hours.

While the MovieStick is no technological wonder, it will make a cool toy that allows you to quickly, and perhaps secretly, capture footage while traveling or hanging out with friends. Just make sure you use it responsibly.

The MovieStick is estimated to cost US$120 and is available later this month.

Via CNET Crave

Joby's Gorillapod goes heavy-duty

The latest iteration of the Gorillapod by US company Joby promises to hold up to 5kg of equipment with its three flexible legs. The new tripod named Gorillapod Focus is targeted at shutterbugs who shoot with heavy camera bodies and optics. The previous version, the Gorillapod SLR-Zoom could manage only 2.7kg.

In order to handle the weight, the firm has implemented aluminum sockets which provide better stability and durability. To complete the professional look, the Focus has an anodized gun-metal finish with rubberized foot and ring grips.

The Gorillapod Focus is available online for US$139.95. But honestly, would you feel secure hanging US$3000 worth of equipment on trees or railings just to capture a picture? For these kinds of shooting situations, I may still use a Gorillapod product, but only with an affordable point-and-shoot.

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