Tag: smartphone accessories

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Connected Objects Imaging

CamBuddy Pro controls your camera from smartphones, tablets

Smart controllers that allow photographers to operate their cameras via smartphone have become much in-demand, especially for interchangeable lens cameras (ILCs). That’s largely because they allow people to control the main features of those typically bulky cameras right from the palm of the user’s hand.

CamBuddy Pro is a Wi-Fi-enabled smart controller for ILCs that offers live-view, time-lapse and four built-in triggering sensors. It works in conjunction with a free Joopic app for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, and works up to 100 feet away from the camera. CamBuddy Pro starts shipping in December. Future pricing is $149. But Kickstarter backers have been able to order one for a pledge starting at $89 for early birds. Its makers are out to raise $30,000 by Nov. 13.

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Imaging

Snoppa M1 makes it easier to shoot video on smartphones

Gimbal stabilizers are among the most useful smartphone accessories for shooting video. After all, who wants to watch a video where the camera is shaking so much that it’s impossible to see what is happening?

Snoppa M1 is a connected three-axis gimbal for smartphones that eliminates camera shake with a vibration-free stabilizer system. It was created to allow any smartphone user to become a videographer without the need for luxury or professional camera equipment. Snoppa M1 features Bluetooth Low Energy and is controlled by the user’s smartphone.

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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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Connected Objects Imaging

Smove smartphone stabilizer lets you move while shooting video

Shooting video on smartphones can be tricky, largely because they tend to lack the same quality image stabilization capabilities as the best traditional standalone cameras. That’s if they even have any image stabilization functionality at all.

Smove is an intelligent smartphone stabilizer with a built-in charger and an Auto Face Follow feature that recognizes faces and automatically rotates to follow them. It supports all iPhones 5 through 7 Plus, and all Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Smove ships in December at future pricing of $249. But Indiegogo backers have been able to order one for a pledge starting at $119 for early birds. Its makers are out to raise $20,000 by Oct. 26.

There have been many smartphone stabilizers before Smove, including Elephant Steady. But Smove stands out from the pack thanks in large part to extra features that include its ability to be used as a phone charger and Auto Face Follow. It also touts advanced features including automated 360-degree panorama shots.

 

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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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