How to Make a DIY Macro iPhone Lens [Macro]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5597914/how-to-make-a-diy-macro-iphone-lens

As great as the iPhone 4 camera is, it's not exactly ideal for macro situations. Luckily, you can build your own iPhone macro lens—with wire, glue and a disposable camera—so that it can be.

Instructable user RVogel decided to create his own macro lens for the iPhone and came up with a pretty nifty solution. Basically, he took the lens from a disposable camera and repurposed it on a mount to fit an iPhone (theoretically, you can create a mount to fit any cell phone camera).

It's a pretty tough job that involves some drilling, sanding, cutting, bending wires at 90 degree angles, and more, but after you're done, you can take pictures like this:

Which is to say, not bad! His full instructions on making your own iPhone macro lens can be found here. [Instructables via Unplggd]

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Nokia's Crowdsourced Design Competition Shows Fans Really Do Want Android [Nokia]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5597549/nokias-crowdsourced-design-competition-shows-fans-really-do-want-android

When Nokia started crowdsourcing ideas for a new potential phone, I very much doubt they expected one of the key criteria named by partakers would be an "open source operating system with unlimited multitasking." Like...Android? Their fans want Android?

Ok, fair enough, Symbian is open-source and can do a small amount of multitasking. But say "an open source platform capable of multitasking" to anyone on this planet, and they'll think of Android. And rightly so—Nokia-adopting-Android rumors have circulated in the past, mostly due to an overwhelming desire from their users for a platform that's just a little bit more up-to-date than Symbian.

Nokia may've quashed those rumors just like they discarded Symbian for their high-end series of phones, but can MeeGo really save the day? I'd start looking at Android, if I were their new CEO. This crafty designer has the right idea.

But back to the design competition. There are three design sketches that you can vote for, with the winning design being turned into a 3D render by Nokia's team of artists. Whether or not it turns into an actual phone, that's for Nokia to decide. Somehow, I can't quite see it happening however. [Nokia Conversations via EuroDroid]

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Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/panasonic-reveals-hdc-sdt750-3d-camcorder-is-super-proud-of-its/

Never mind the extensive leaks, Panasonic, you've got a right to be proud about the HDC-SDT750. After crowing about its end-to-end 3D experience, Panasonic has finally made its HDC-SDT750 camcorder official, which looks like it will be the first of its kind to hit the market. Sure, this is just a baby step: the 3D mode is enabled by snapping on an included 3D conversion lens that splits the image in twain to be recorded as right and left images by the standard 1080p sensor. That means each side will only be 960 x 1080, so you can't quite shoot Avatar in your backyard just yet, but it should look fine on standard 3D televisions. Unfortunately, you can't do much more with the 3D video right now other than pump it out over HDMI straight from the camera -- at least with the 3D stills that you can snap you can load them onto an SD card and play them off of AVCHD-compatible Blu-ray players. Still, these are exciting times to be alive, and you can always shoot in 2D with the no-doubt great 3MOS camcorder underneath (which seems to be very similar to the HDC-HS700) while you wait for the rest of the planet to catch up. The SDT750 will be out in October for a hefty $1,399 asking price. PR is after the break.

Update: The "after the break" lounge has now also been enriched with some video of the SDT750's official unveiling [Thanks, Jan].

Gallery: Panasonic HDC-SDT750 press shots

Continue reading Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video)

Panasonic reveals HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder, is super proud of itself (updated with video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/27/panasonic-will-offer-interchangable-3d-lens-for-micro-four-third/

Like Panasonic's new 3D-capable HDC-SDT750 camcorder but don't want to shell out $1,400 for a brand-new kit? Get a load of this Micro Four Thirds lens. That's right, Panny's just announced an interchangeable 3D lens that affixes to the standard Lumix G-series mount, meaning any of the company's new sub-DSLR shooters could see in stereo with a firmware hack update. Sadly, compatible models are still "to be announced" and even the lens pictured above is just a prototype, but we won't have too long to wait for the real deal -- the Japanese manufacturer says it'll be on sale by the end of the year. Press release after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end

Panasonic will offer interchangeable 3D lens for Micro Four Thirds by year's end originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Street Slide: it's electric! (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/microsoft-street-slide-its-electric-video/

Remember the first time you used Google Street View? Amazing, right? Thing is, traversing a busy urban street in a 360-degree photographic bubble can be disorienting, especially when searching for a specific address or business. So check this: Microsoft Research has developed a rather nifty solution it calls Street Slide. Zoom out of your panoramic bubble and the street is presented as a dynamic, multi-perspective "strip" giving you an instant visual summary of the surroundings -- similar to viewing the entire street from a distance. Fortunately, Microsoft took advantage of what would otherwise be the unused letterboxed screen above and below the strip to add navigational and informational aids like clickable business logos and building numbers. Pretty impressive, and Microsoft is already working on taking Street Slide mobile with an iPhone port, and no doubt a version for the upcoming Windows Phone 7 series of devices. Unfortunately, don't expect this to be released anytime soon as the team has only processed about 2400 panoramas so far covering just 4 kilometers of streets. Check the video after the break, you'll be glad you did.

Continue reading Microsoft Street Slide: it's electric! (video)

Microsoft Street Slide: it's electric! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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