via ubergizmo.com
Apple Fido - iBestFriend? How about a robotic best friend for you? You already have the iPhone with you 24/7 why not a doggy too?
2012年3月29日 星期四
2012年3月20日 星期二
Fish Eye Lens App Review
Developer: Adlife
Price: $1.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4iPhone Integration Rating:
User Interface Rating:
Re-use Value Rating:Overall Rating:
ADL Fisheye Lens sounds like a good idea on paper. That’s because it is. Fisheye effects do look pretty special and stand out from the crowd. Unfortunately, ADL Fisheye Lens‘s implementation is pretty poor and crash happy, making it an expensive purchase even at $1.99.
Load up ADL Fisheye Lens for the first time and be a little confused. The app switches to the iPhone’s camera interface, almost making one wonder what the difference is. Once the picture is taken, the interface switches to a similarly limited look. Admittedly, all the basic options are there. It just feels a little bare bones about it.
Once into the proper interface (there’s no way of starting out on the main menu, at best users can tap cancel on the camera screen to get there faster), users can then choose to import pictures from their Camera Roll or take a fresh image. The option to email creations is also possible, but that’s about it on the sharing front.
As long as the filters are good though, right? Sadly, they’re not really. There’s a fair number of different filters with 12 in all, but few of them look great, no matter what original image is used. Many seem to count smearing a color acros the image as a form of filtering. It might be, but it’s not pretty. Stick with it and a couple of options will emerge and be useful for creating cool effects, but they’re still not great.
To compound the problems within ADL Fisheye Lens, it’s pretty crash prone on my iPhone 4, usually while moving through the filter options. Put together and these problems make for an infuriating experience and one that just feels way too expensive for what it offers. Look elsewhere for a good fisheye effect.
Posted in: iPhone Apps and Games, Photography, ReviewsTagged with: $1.99, ADL Fisheye Lens, ADLife, Fisheye, Photo & Video, Photo filter, Photography
via 148apps.com
Why not get a real fisheye lens for iphone at http://www.fisheyelensforiphone.com
2012年3月19日 星期一
Wide Angle Lens you don't need, but want
Every now and then, a technology product comes along that’s so profoundly brilliant, the world changes forever.
Today is not one of those days.
Most of the time, what comes along is interesting but a good deal more modest. That’s the stuff that winds up on my “review someday” table. It piles up, eyeing me and poking my guilty conscience, until I get around to dispatching all of them in a single column.
Ladies and gentlemen, here it is: Dave’s Spring Cleaning Column.
• Scott eVest Transformer Jacket ($160): You’ll never again complain that you can’t find a free pocket for the gadgets you carry around. This obsessively engineered jacket (gray, red or black) has 20 of them.
Each pocket has a tiny label, so you know where everything goes, and a zipper with a cloth pull. There are pockets for your phone (with touch-screen-sensitive walls). Glasses (with a cleaning cloth attached by a leash). Keys (with a springy clip). Water bottle. Wallet. Pens.
There’s even an iPad pocket on the inside front. This may be the first jacket that ever needed an instruction manual.
Like previous Scott
eVests, this jacket has a channel system that routes earbuds to the collar. What’s new here is that the sleeves come off with a couple of tugs, turning the jacket into a vest.
• The Polester ($230): Somebody had to invent this: a 15-foot, telescoping, smooth black fiberglass pole for your camera. The idea is to let you take photos from way up high, while you’re still on the ground. (My favorite part may be the Polester inventor’s name: Jim Polster. For real.)
It’s quite a contraption to assemble and manipulate. It has a string-activated shutter trigger, so you don’t have to rely on the camera’s timer.
Heavier cameras can make the pole sway a little. And, of course, you simply have to guess about the composition of the photo. Unless you can make your eyes pop out on stalks like a cartoon character, there’s no way to see the screen from your position on the ground. And $230 is a lot for an average camera user to pay for this accessory (although there’s a $200 9-foot version, too).
But if you’re in one of the Polester niches — a roof inspector, wedding photographer, real-estate agent or creative user of any type — this rig puts your camera in places where its operator should fear to tread.
• Ivee Flex Voice-Controlled Alarm Clock Radio ($60): You know Siri, the voice-control feature of the iPhone 4S? One of her greatest tricks is reducing the number of steps for setting the phone’s alarm. You can say, “Wake me in 45 minutes,” or “Set my alarm for 7:30,” or whatever — and it’s done.
Now you don’t need a fancy phone to do that trick. This simple, big-digit, plastic alarm clock is voice-controlled. You can set the time or set the two alarms, check the time or date, choose an alarm sound, turn on a falling-asleep sound (ocean or brook, for example), set a timer or change settings — all by voice.
The best part is that the clock is always listening; you don’t have to touch a button first.
Ivee’s recognition accuracy is 100 percent, the commands are logical and speaking sure beats fussing around with buttons.
• Sigma 8-16 MM Wide-Angle Zoom Lens ($700): One of the reasons you may have bought an SLR camera is to be able to swap lenses for different photographic effects.
Sigma says this is the widest-angle lens on the market for cameras with APS-C sensors (that is, SLRs under $1,000). It’s the equivalent of a 12-24 mm lens on a 35 mm camera. It’s available for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax or Sigma cameras. It’s not a fisheye, so it doesn’t distort the image spherically — but wow, does it capture a wide slice of the world around you (121 degrees).
• striiv ($100): The world is filled with high-tech pedometers, using a built-in accelerometer to measure your physical activity and try to motivate you to move more. Well, here’s another one. It’s a 3-inch key fob that you’re supposed to carry (in your pocket or purse) or wear (it comes with a clip) all day.
You don’t need a computer to see your results, so the gratification is immediate. Built-in challenges, video games and graphs encourage you to walk a little more or take a few more stairs. A walkathon app lets you earn credits that go to charity, so you’ll feel good in more than one way.
David Pogue writes for The New York Times.
via dispatch.com
• Sigma 8-16 MM Wide-Angle Zoom Lens ($700): One of the reasons you may have bought an SLR camera is to be able to swap lenses for different photographic effects.
Sigma says this is the widest-angle lens on the market for cameras with APS-C sensors (that is, SLRs under $1,000). It’s the equivalent of a 12-24 mm lens on a 35 mm camera. It’s available for Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax or Sigma cameras. It’s not a fisheye, so it doesn’t distort the image spherically — but wow, does it capture a wide slice of the world around you (121 degrees).
Macro Lens for iPhone - DIY
Many iPhoneographers have been looking for a macro lens that will work with the iPhone 4 and 4S to take awesome closeup images. Unfortunately, a lot of those lenses cost a few bucks -- the Olloclip (which also includes a fisheye and wide-angle lens) runs $69.99, and while the magnetic macro lens from Photojojo is only $20, it also leaves a lot to be desired. Now appsman over at Instructables.com has designed a slide-on macro lens holder that can be had for about $15.
His design can be printed out at 3D printing house Shapeways for $11.00, and then equipped with a 12 mm PCX glass lens with a 51 mm focal length from Surplus Shed (part number L4471) for $4.
The design looks good, and can be used with any iPhone 4 or 4S without a case. Of course, if you're really looking for an inexpensive macro lens for your iPhone, you can always try a water drop ...
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via tuaw.com
DIY a macro lens for $15, but why when you can have a real one for $20 at http://www.lensforiphone.com/macro-lens/
Next iPhone and iPad Camera Features
Next iPhone, iPad camera to have facial self-timer?
By Lexy Savvides | March 12, 2012
About The Author
Lexy Savvides
×✔ Follow @lexysavvidesLexy spent her formative years taking a lot of photos and dreaming in technicolour. Nothing much has changed now she's covering all things photography related for CNET. You can find her hosting the weekly Pulse podcast.
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(Credit: Patently Apple)
The dust has barely settled on the new iPad, but, as is always the case, there's another Apple photography patent to check out.
We've all been in situations where someone wants to take a group shot, but there's no way to get the photographer in the photo without setting up a tripod or hassling a passerby to take the photo. Plus, it's unlikely that you'll want to hand over your iDevice or expensive photographic equipment to just anyone on the street.
According to the Patently Apple blog, Apple has filed a patent presenting a new take on the self-timer feature. The photographer would first snap an image of their face so that the device knows who to look out for, then, once that person has re-entered the frame, it would initiate a self-timer countdown.
One thing not mentioned in the patent is any sort of tripod, or wide-angle lens to get everyone in the shot. The diagram also points to the front-facing camera on the iPhone, which is currently only VGA resolution on the iPhone 4S. Perhaps we could expect a higher-resolution front-facing camera, too?
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via cnet.com.au
Next iPhone, iPad camera to have facial self-timer?
2012年3月15日 星期四
The next iPhone be 4 inches?
via imore.com
if the phone gets bigger than it's not a phone... I personally think phone should be small, there is iPad for bigger thingys
2012年3月14日 星期三
Macro lens for iPhone with a drop of water
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Rosa Golijan
Turn your iPhone into a microscope with a drop of water Collapse
Alex Wild
Before we get too far into this blog post, let's review one very important safety warning: It is generally a really bad idea to pour water onto your electronics. A really, really bad idea.
Understood?
Great. Now let me tell about how you can turn your iPhone into a microscope by dripping water onto it.
Scientific American's Alex Wild came up with the idea after reading about some techniques studied by a team at UC Davis. According to him, all you have to do is place a drop of water onto your iPhone's camera lens, carefully turn it over and watch the droplet serve as a liquid lens:
"Droplet images are dreamy, blurred at the periphery, and just a little bit … wet," he writes. "But the tiny subjects underneath are magnified with sufficient resolution for an impromptu microscope."
As you can see by the image above or by checking out his blog post, Wild's trick's not all that bad. It's not exactly going to make anyone turn away from third-party iPhone accessories which can produce the same effect without risking water-damage — but it works.
Want more tech news, silly puns, or amusing links? You'll get plenty of all three if you keep up with Rosa Golijan, the writer of this post, by following her on Twitter, subscribing to her Facebook posts, or circling her on Google+.
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why risk ruining your iPhone with this dump idea? Buy a macro lens from http://www.lensforiphone.com
Camera tripods for iPhone
Tripods can be super-useful tools when it comes to taking photos or shooting video, especially if you're trying to act as both photographer and subject in a group photo or video clip. Traditionally, a tripod has three legs that can be extended to varying heights, with a mount of some sort on top where you can attach your favorite camera or camcorder. While great to have around, a traditional tripod is often bulky, making it less than ideal to carry with you in many situations.
In recent years, quite a few unique tripods have hit the market that can do just as good a job as their larger counterparts (and sometimes better) without weighing you down. Here's a look at six tripod solutions that will stabilize your outlook on photography.
1. Joby GorillaPod
Joby's GorillaPod is probably the most recognizable unique tripod out there. Designed in many ways like your traditional tripod, the GorillaPod departs from the norm with sturdy bendable legs that can be wrapped around tree limbs, light fixtures, or anywhere else you need to attach your camera in order to snap a few shots. The GorillaPod Original can hold most standard point-and-shoot cameras; Joby offers sturdier options for larger DSLRs and video cameras, as well as a magnetic version with feet that can be attached to any metal surface.
2. Bottle Cap Tripod
The Bottle Cap Tripod lets you turn virtually any bottle into a tripod. The tripod's stretchy rubber socket on one end wraps tightly around your bottle of choice, and a standard-issue tripod screw on the other end attaches to your camera. While you're not going to be able to get super creative with where you place the Bottle Cap Tripod, it can be great to have on hand for moments when you need a tripod in a snap. Throw this in your bag, and you'll never be caught without a tripod option … as long as you keep yourself hydrated.
3. The Monsterpod
The Monsterpod allows you to turn pretty much anything into a tripod. Made specifically for use with lightweight cameras, the base of the tripod is made of viscoelastic morphing polymer similar to the Silly Putty you may have played with as a child. This base can be stuck to anything, from your ceiling to a pole or a fence.
Just like Silly Putty, however, the Monsterpod can occasionally leave a residue on surfaces (or take things like paint with it), so while it's a great solution in a few situations, it can be an inappropriate tripod choice in others.
4. Gerber Steady
Not only is it a tripod, the Gerber Steady is also a multi-tool that comes sporting a fine-edged blade, a serrated blade, three screwdrivers, a bottle opener, pliers and wire cutters. This ultra-compact tripod is perfect for campers and outdoor enthusiasts who want a tripod for some shooting situations but don't want to be weighed down by some of the heavier or bulkier options out there. As the MacGyver of tripod tools, the Gerber Steady easily slips into your pocket; be sure to remove it before heading through airport security.
5. Pedco UltraClamp
If you're trying to take photos while biking around the city, trying to hold your camera can be not only difficult but dangerous. The Pedco UltraClamp is a tripod that can be mounted on things like a car window, your bicycle's handlebars, or a picnic table for snapping shots. It attaches via an adjustable clamp that can adapt to fit almost anywhere you may want to use it.
Both sturdy and small, the UltraClamp's maker claims it's strong enough to support any camera or camcorder, so you can use it with not only your pocket-sized point-and-shoot but also your favorite DSLR.
6. The Twig Pod
Is it a tent stake, or is it a tripod? The Twig Pod is an ultra-light monopod designed to be used by backpackers and out in the wilderness. The svelte aluminum monopod has a pointy foot for staking in the ground (much like you might stick in a golf tee), and a ball head mount on top allows you to shoot vertically, horizontally, or from any other angle you might like. Once you're done, the Twig Pod collapses into four 8-inch parts, allowing it to be easily stowed away while you continue your journey.
A stand-up kind of product
These tripods are fun to look at but may not be suited for every shooting situation or every camera out there.
More from Tecca
Beginner's guide to digital photography
via usatoday.com
6 unique camera tripods for iPhone
2012年3月6日 星期二
No Super Camera for iPhone5?
Late last month, Nokia announced a revolutionary new camera phone that features the world's first 41MP sensor. Now it's officially coming to Windows Phone 7.
While this is a no-brainer announcement that was all but guaranteed to happen, by making it official (the PureView camera will be added to Nokia's Lumia line of smartphones, TechCrunch reports), Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has solidified its future as a strong competitor in the smartphone industry.
For those of you who haven't read up on Nokia's groundbreaking technology, the company has produced the first and only camera that will allow you to zoom three times digitally without losing any image quality. That's why the PureView requires a 41 megapixel sensor – to allow the user to zoom without incurring any of the unnecessary side effects (such as blurry or pixelated images). Up until now, camera manufacturers could only get around this by building lenses with optical zoom, a feature that physically extends the lens to zoom in on the subject. But those lenses are big and bulky, which is why you don't see them used in smartphones. With the PureView lens, Nokia has found the best of both worlds.
That might be an understatement, actually. For the past year, I've been quick to dismiss Nokia as a helpless has-been that was destined to fail. I mercilessly mocked the idea that Nokia would merge with one of the world's largest tech companies, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). The mere thought of it seemed absurd. Did the Windows maker need any help in developing a phone that can't compete with Apple, I wondered? “No!” was the obvious answer. “Microsoft can accomplish that all on its own.”
And it has. To this day, the Windows Phone platform is barely a competitor to the iOS and Android dominance. But Nokia's phone could change everything.
Right now, more people take pictures with their smartphones than any other device – including standalone cameras. The improved image quality has no doubt been a factor, but nothing compares to the convenience factor. When Bob Consumer wants to take a few photos of his kids, it's a lot faster for him to whip out his iPhone and snap a few images than it would be for him to fumble through his pockets in search of a separate device. This gives smartphone makers the advantage in the battle for camera sales. Now that advantage has shifted to Nokia.
The road ahead will not be an easy one. But if Nokia can promote its camera with enough panache (this site is a great start), consumers will quickly take notice. It will be interesting to see the TV ad campaign that Nokia produces, as it could make or break the sales of its PureView devices.
If Nokia's 41MP sensor proves to be a smash hit, you might expect other companies to follow suit with a similar line of smartphones. And if you're looking to Samsung or HTC for these clones, then chances are you won't be disappointed. HTC is the king of copycats. For its part, Samsung is determined to leave no market untapped. Sony (NYSE: SNE) may also be tempted to enter the fray, but only if its smartphone business can survive its inevitable demise.
Regardless of who copies who, don't expect Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) to do the same. The Mac maker might have made billions selling a smartphone that many users bought because of its photographic capabilities. (Next to Siri, the camera seems to be the primary reason people bought the iPhone 4S.) But that won't inspire Apple to copy Nokia's technology.
For one thing, it's not in Apple's nature to copy another company unless it believes that it can make a better product – or, at the very least, convince the buying public that it has produced something better. That would be a lot of work for the tech giant. Apple would be better off investing its time and money into other areas of R&D.
Second, the new Nokia lens is somewhat bulky. While it might be possible to shrink it down, it may still be too big – and too unattractive – for Apple's dedication to producing sleek and stylish products. This alone will keep Apple from caring about the technology.
Third, Apple is in a place where it doesn't have to worry about what Nokia is doing. Apple barely seems to care about the phones that Samsung – its leading competitor – releases each year. So why would it ever think about Nokia?
If Nokia plays its cards right, there might come a day when the company is powerful enough to make Apple take notice. Until then, we should be glad that Nokia's fierce competition forced it to innovate and release a product that no one saw coming.
Follow me @LouisBedigian
(c) 2011 Benzinga.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published in its entirety or redistributed without the approval of Benzinga.
via benzinga.com
Why Apple would not have a super camera for their upcoming iPhone5
2012年3月3日 星期六
Wide Angle lens for iPhone - Review
via cfphotovideo.com
Find your awesome lens attachment for iPhone4s at http://www.wideanglelensforiphone.com
Remove IPhone Lens Scratches
via metacafe.com
How to Remove IPhone Lens Scratches,http://www.iphonecameralens.com
iPhone photo app all your artsy photo
You’re likely familiar with Hipstamatic. It is the $2 iPhone photo app all your artsy photog friends were on before Instagram rose to fame. And while both apps provide filters to add artistic flair to your otherwise ho-hum smartphone photos, Hipstamatic attempts to be more analog about it — which, of course, is quite the anachronism in today’s digital age.
Hipstamatic, which launched in December 2009, deconstructs the photo experience so your iPhone feels more like your parents’ camera. With a variety of digital lenses, films and flashes, you can experiment with different styles and learn about the effects each element adds. And like your parents’ camera, the photos you take are meant to be developed.
But it’s not as simple as going to your local CVS. Lucas Buick and Ryan Dorshorst, co-founders of Synthetic, Hipstamatic’s parent company, realized most photo labs couldn’t accurately reproduce prints taken with the app, in particular matching color and saturation while handling high volume. After some searching, they arrived at Santa Barbara-based Color Services, which conveniently enough had a staff of Hipstamatic fans.
To reproduce that signature retro Hipstamatic look, the two companies worked together to create a custom printing process in June 2010, a system that includes developing on archival paper. Synthetic created a backend system to help the lab collect photos from users’ smartphones, a move that allows Color Services to scale alongside the app’s user base. As Hipstamatic launches new paks — paid and free in-app add-ons which can include a combination of lenses, films and flashes — the backend system ensures Color Services can continue reproducing colors with accuracy.
Below is a peek of the lab, (taken with Hipstamatic, of course).
Follow @alicetruong on Twitter.
via forbes.com
Phone photo app all your artsy photo.. http://www.lensforiphone.com
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