Tag: cell phone accessory

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Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

Eye-Plug plugs into Android phones to shoot 3D video

Despite the increasing quality of smartphone cameras, one thing they don’t typically do is record in 3D.

Eye-Plug is a small plug-in device for Android smartphones that shoots 3D video. It features a rotatable head and is tiny enough to fit in one’s pocket. It works in conjunction with a companion Google app that allows users to easily edit images from one’s smartphone. Eye-Plug is also compatible with existing Google virtual reality viewers. It’s shipping now at $44.99 and is available from its maker’s website, http://www.weeview.co/.

There have been other devices that have done pretty much the same thing as Eye-Plug, including Vitrima for GoPro cameras and Bevel for iPhones. Eye-Plug’s focus on the huge Android smartphone market, combined with its small size and useful app helps it stand out from at least some rival products. But some consumers will no doubt prefer a device that would work with multiple types of cameras and smartphone operating systems.

 

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Cell Phone Accessories

MovieMask provides cinema-like movie experience wherever you are

The displays on smartphones keep getting better all the time. But the one thing that none of them provide is an immersive cinema-like experience when watching a movie.

MovieMask is headwear that encases a smartphone and provides a 2D cinematic viewing experience by blocking out everything surrounding the video one is watching and surrounding it with blank space much like a screen does in a theater. The device can be used virtually anywhere, including on an airplane.

The device ships in December. Future pricing isn’t provided, but Kickstarter backers can get one for a pledge starting at about $54 for early birds. Its makers are out to raise $12,525 by Oct. 6.

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Cell Phone Accessories Displays Input

Superbook makes your smartphone a super cheap laptop

Smartphones have become the one device that people don’t leave their homes without. But smartphones aren’t so hot when it comes to word processing and other productivity functions.

The Superbook is a laptop-like shell from Andromium that provides keyboard input and an 11.6-inch display for Android smartphones and tablets, basically transforming the small mobile device into a complete laptop with a larger screen at a low price. Superbook promises more than 8 hours of battery life. Other features include a multi-touch trackpad and phone-charging capabilities. When plugged into an Android device, it launches Andromium’s app that offers Microsoft Office suite compatibility.

Superbook ships in February 2017 at future pricing of $129-$139 for a basic version. But Kickstarter backers can order one at pricing that starts at $99. Early bird backers were able to order one at $85 for January 2017 delivery. Andromium hopes to raise $50,000 by Aug. 20.

There have been several hybrid products that combine smartphone and PC functionality, including Hybrx. But Superbook provides one of the best value and feature propositions, thanks to its low pricing and Office software compatibility. However, one’s Android device must be running Android 5.0 or later with at least 1.5 GB of RAM and USB-OTG support for it to work with Superbook, limiting the number of compatible devices. And, obviously, consumers using iOS or any other mobile operating system besides Android are out of luck, at least for now.

 

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Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

The New Glif keeps your smartphone photos on the level

As the cameras on smartphones get better and better, the need for a good tripod mount to take better photos on those smartphones keeps growing also.

The New Glif is a redesigned version of the pioneering Glif tripod mount for the iPhone 4 that adds new features and now works with the latest iPhones. The mount’s makers have focused on a quick release mechanism, as well as portrait and landscape support, with the new model.

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Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

Vyu360 lets you view 360-degree images, video on your smartphone

Capturing and viewing 360-degree video is becoming increasingly popular thanks to a growing number of virtual reality headsets and cameras.

patent-claimedVyu360 is a top-mounted, patent-pending smartphone accessory containing two panoramic lenses that capture 360-degree video and still images. It works in conjunction with Android and iOS smartphones, and uses their front and rear cameras. The accessory is made of elastic plastic housing, with a rigid rear and front lenses mount. A lens adjustment mechanism allows lenses to be aligned into position and work with different configurations.

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Cell Phone Accessories Displays

NexDock looks like a laptop, but it’s powered by your smartphone

Manufacturers keep trying to make laptop computers that are more affordable for consumers.

NexDock is a new twist on that concept –- a docking station made up of a 14-inch monitor with a built-in battery and a full-size, Bluetooth keyboard that works with Microsoft’s Windows 10 Continuum feature for mobile phones and tablets. The result is basically a laptop that’s powered by a smartphone or a tablet at a fraction of the price of a traditional laptop.

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Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

Pictar helps iPhone users take better pictures

Smartphones continue to be the most popular devices for consumers to take photos with. But, despite the ongoing improvements that have been made to smartphone cameras’ megapixels and other features, dedicated cameras -– especially ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) models –- still offer several technical advantages.

patent-claimedPictar is an iPhone camera grip that enhances the camera functionality of Apple’s product in several ways beyond just the ability to grip the iPhone better while taking a photograph or shooting video. Pictar also adds full external control of all camera shooting functions. For example, its shutter button offers a half press mode to lock focus and exposure for easy tracking of a moving object or to create a desired composition, as well as full press for immediate shutter release.

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Cell Phone Accessories

Duplex Case grafts a second phone onto the back of an iPhone 6

Sometimes it would be handy to have a second smartphone on hand. That way, if one of them runs out of juice, the second device can be used to make an urgent phone call. But having two separate devices would be a hassle also because it would require a consumer to buy a second smartphone and then schlep both devices around.

Duplex is a case for the iPhone 6 that doubles as a second smartphone. Its back panel acts as a smartphone, complete with a display. Meanwhile, the case also charges the iPhone. The iPhone Duplex Case frame’s dimensions are 142.3 x 70.5 x 8.3mm, its main body thickness is 6mm, and its total weight is 74 grams.

Duplex ships in June. Future pricing isn’t available. But early bird Kickstarter backers can get one for a pledge starting at $49. Its makers have a modest goal of raising $5,000 by May 11. This is a device that many consumers may find handy. For now, the major obstacle is the fact that it is only for iPhone 6 users. But its makers are developing similar cases for other unspecified models.

 

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Cell Phone Accessories Television

WeKast streaming stick lets all devices stream to your TV

Streaming content from a computer, smartphone or tablet to a large screen is a common way to make presentations now in the worlds of business and education. However, there is all too often a technical problem, such as the inability to get a wireless connection, that gets in the way.

WeKast is a pocket-sized dongle that plugs into any HDMI or VGA port and makes it simple to stream a presentation from a mobile device to a TV, projector screen or other display.

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Cell Phone Accessories

Connex provides a cable as its calling card

Conventional data cables are often either too long or too short to reach the devices they are being connected to. Another frequent issue with cables is that they tend to get tangled up –- especially when there is more than one of them.

Connex is a flat universal data cable that’s been pressed into the shape of a credit card. It’s made of durable synthetic silicone that allows it to stretch up to 18 inches and then collapse again when needed. Connex ships in June at $15 for a Micro USB version and $19 for an Apple Lightning connection version. But early bird Kickstarter backers can get them for pledges starting at $9 or $13, respectively. Its makers hope to raise $5,000 by April 18.

This is an enormously handy accessory to have for a wide range of devices. But a version that can stretch more than 18 inches would be even handier for some consumers. Users of devices that don’t use Lightning and Micro USB, including older Apple devices, are out of luck, so more compatibility options would be nice also.