Introducing Otto: A Raspberry Pi-Powered GIF Camera
If you've ever been on the internet, you more than likely have came across a GIF. There are a few options out there where you can create your own custom ones, and Otto has stepped in as another option. Otto is a hybrid of sorts as it's part still camera and part video camera, giving the capabilities of creating your very own GIF. The camera is powered by a small Raspberry Pi computer with an accompanying app that lets you create all the GIFs you want. Otto not only makes GIFs, but is also capable of creating time lapse videos. Since the Raspberry Pi computer is installed in the camera, the possibilities are almost limitless as to what you can create with this tiny camera. As of right now, there's a Kickstarter campaign going on for Otto if you want to support it..
[via OTTO]
Google Glass Available to Consumers in the U.S.
Outside of a brief purchasing window a few months ago, there wasn't a guaranteed way of getting your hands on a pair of Google Glass; tou pretty much had to be chosen to experience what it was all about. Many people have heard about Google Glass, but in some ways it's still kind of mystery until you've actually have had to wear a pair. However, that's all changed as Google has finally made Glass available to people in the U.S. for a price tag of $1500. For now, they'll only be available to those living in the States until Google really pushes the product to more consumers. Until then, they'll continue to work on improving the software and hardware, as well as bringing ways to lower the cost. If you've been dying to own Glass, you can head on over to Google's official website to buy a pair. Check out the video of some of the first to experience Glass and what they enjoyed about it.
[youtube id="zHqp5nFq5Pk"]
[Via PetaPixel]
Apple Hires Nokia’s Head of Lumia Photography
Apple has been the talk of the town recently because of their rumored acquisition of Beats, and it looks like people will continue to talk with this recent news. As of June 1st, Ari Partinen, lead Nokia PureView engineer, will be leaving Nokia and starting a new position at Apple. The PureView technology has given smartphones like the Lumia 1020 and Nokia PureView 808 outstanding photo taking abilities and carry some of the best photo sensors on smartphones. This looks like a great move for Apple, and it might be a sign that the company will be stepping up its mobile photography game for the next iPhone release. There's no telling what will become of Nokia as far as their phone division is concerned, with Microsoft completing its acquisition, and now one its lead guy has jumped ship. I'm sure we can expect some new things coming from Apple that should excite mobile photographers.
[Via PetaPixel]
Nobody Will Forget About Dre: Apple Wants Beats by Dre for $3.2 Billion
Could Dr. Dre become the first billionaire in hip hop? Conflicting reports have come out that Apple has either bought Beats by Dre or are in talks to acquire the company for an astounding $3.2 billion. Obviously, Beats by Dre will come out the big winner if the acquisition goes through, but analysts are dumbfounded as to why Apple would splurge on the popular headphone manufacturers (who also have their own music streaming subscription service amongst other products and services beyond the headphones).
The acquisition would allow Apple to step their headphone game up, hopefully making the included iPhone earbuds a thing of the past with some better quality Beats by Apple wear. However, the biggest aspect of the acquisition is not Beats by Dre's big selling point (their headphones), but their steaming service Beats Music. The acquisition of the system and its algorithm could help bolster Apple's own music service in an attempt to compete with Pandora and Spotify. However, the Beats Music install base isn't known to have many subscribers.
If the deal goes through, it would become Apple's most expensive (and riskiest) acquisition to date. Meanwhile, Dr. Dre would become the richest rapper in the music industry. As a fan of both Beats by Dre and Apple, I'm all for the acquisition. If this means increasing the audio quality across all Apple products (iPod, iPad, iPhone, MacBooks, etc.), it can only be a blessing. Sure, stingy audiophiles will complain about Beats by Dre's focus on deeper bass for a muckier mid tone, but really, the common consumer won't even notice while they're juking to their iPads Powered by Beats by Dre Audio™.
[via CNET]
Samsung Announces the NX3000, a New Mirror-Less Camera
Samsung has recently announced a new mirror-less camera to beef up its NX lineup that features the NX30 and NXMini. This new camera, known as the NX3000, will fit right in between both cameras in the existing line and possibly entice those that want the capabilities of an entry level DSLR without all the bulk. The camera is of medium build and not as big as the NX30, but a tad bit bigger the NXMini while it borrows some features from each camera. It has a 20.3MP pixel like the NX30 before and for the selfie lovers it shares NXMini flip up screen alongside a Self Shot mode that airbrushes your selfie. The camera also features a 460,800-dot IPS screen and wi-fi to easily share your photos with your smart phone. The NX3000 will be available starting June 1st and should come in priced at around $500 depending on what kit package you choose. You can check out some of the product shots below.
[Via Mashable]
VSCO Announces $40 Million Investment
Visual Supply Company or VSCO for short has taken to Instagram and its blog to announce that they have received their first ever investment from Accel Partners for $40 million dollars. VSCO has been hard at work producing popular products like VSCOcam and VSCOfilm, cultivating a community of creatives. With the investment, the company will look to produce more quality products from their app to its software to make it easier and simpler for creatives to produce and share their work. VSCO looks to further build out its community of photography enthusiasts and help people produce their dream projects with its VSCO Artist Initiative scholarship. With the investment, it looks like VSCO is set to take things to a new level and to keep building its brand to further reach more creatives. You can learn more about VSCO and its investment with Accel Partners on their official blog here.
[Via VSCO]
Sony's New Alpha A7s Full Frame, Mirror-less Camera
Photo by Mashable
Recently, Sony announced they would be releasing a new full frame, mirror-less camera to go alongside its Alpha A7 camera. This time, Sony is directing its attention to the videographers of the world with a camera that shoots full 4k video with a maximum ISO of 409,600. It is essentially like its predecessors, the A7 and A7r, but it's intended to shoot very well in low light which Sony achieved by lowering the camera's megapixels to 12.2. This basically means it can shoot in almost complete darkness, making it an attractive option for those who shoot in low light situations. As of right now, there is no word on what the pricing will be for the A7s, but it should fall along the lines os other full frame mirror-less cameras on the market. The new A7s looks like a very solid camera and can be useful for many photographers and videographers out there. Recently, the people over at The Phoblographer were able to check out a pre-production model, which you can check out here.
[Via The Phoblographer]
Crated: A One Stop Shop For Photographers
Still only in Beta, Crated is set to go live May 21st, becoming a one-stop shop for photographers, fulfilling a lot of their needs. Crated is an online platform for photographers that lets you upload, share, and sell your prints all in one place while offering various features that should entice the photographer looking for exposure and some cash. Not only can you sell your prints, but Crated literally does everything for you, even handling the printing and shipping of your photos is someone chooses to buy them. There is also a social community aspect to Crated where you are exposed to other photographers around the globe and offering options of integrating your other social media accounts.
Crated also takes care of the the stuff that goes on behind the scenes like SEO optimization, making sure your gallery is being found on the web, giving you all the tools to help you make sure your work is being seen offering analytic pages to help you understand who your buyers are, where they're coming from, and what they're buying. All in all, Crate makes it very easy to get you up and running if you are looking to sell your work or get more exposure, but it is capable of becoming something so much more and it will be interesting to see how it evolves. As I stated before, it's still in Beta, but you can learn more about Crated and apply to become a Crated Artist here.
[via Crated]