Visit Barcelona with this beautiful hyperlapse
This "flow-motion" hyperlapse by photographer Rob Whitworth uses 26,014 photos taken over 363 hours of work in total. Impressive work.
Wednesday, July 09, 2014
MOSS Robotics Toy Review: The Easiest Way To Build Your First Robot
Source: http://gizmodo.com/moss-robotics-toy-review-the-easiest-way-to-build-your-1601317868
When reviewing a building toy it's impossible not to make comparisons with Lego. Not only are its bricks able to build everything from dinosaurs to X-wings, Lego also offers robotics sets
ZTE's projector/hotspot hybrid lands in the US with Sprint's help
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/09/sprint-livepro/
ZTE's endearingly nutty 1080p projector/mobile hotspot turned a few heads back at CES, and we knew it was coming to the US -- we just didn't know when. You'll soon have a chance to see if those two tastes really do taste great together, though: Sprint will start selling the hardware hybrid (now called the LivePro) on July 11, just in time to power those heated outdoor meetings of your Wes Anderson Appreciation Club. You can connect up to 8 devices to Sprint's Spark LTE network via the LivePro and run your own content through it using an HDMI or Miracast connection, but don't forget -- this thing also runs Android 4.2 and packs a 4-inch touchscreen so you can hog all those movies to yourself too. Feeling more generous than usual? Magnanimously let your friends recharge their ailing phones with the LivePro's 5,000mAh battery and pretty soon they'll agree that Moonrise Kingdom really is better than Rushmore.
Tuesday, July 08, 2014
Sony's first 'curved sensor' photo may herald better images, cheaper lenses
Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/07/08/sony-shows-off-first-picture-taken-with-curved-sensor/
We've seen plenty of curved screens, but Sony has just revealed the first picture taken with a curved image sensor that may one day bring cheaper, smaller lenses and higher photo quality. Regular, flat camera sensors have a rather large problem called "Petzval field curvature." That occurs when light rays passing through the edge of a lens fall in front of the sensor's focal plane, rather than on it. As a result, optical designers must add costly elements to lenses, which also makes them heavier and more complex. The shot above flaunted by Sony is just a test and there are no high-resolution samples available yet; in fact Sony has indicated that high-megapixel sensors may be a ways off. However, it does mark the first image shown from Sony's curved CMOS sensor and a possible new direction for its digital camera division.
A sensor with the edges bent toward the lens takes care of many optical sins. Sony built its prototype curved sensor flat, bent it into a shape known as a "Petzval surface" and reinforced it with a ceramic backplate. That geometry permits shorter, lighter lenses with larger apertures that let more light in. In addition, such a design also reduces light falloff at the edges of a typical flat CMOS sensor, and the process of bending a sensor introduces strain in the photodiodes that actually benefits them by reducing noise. Finally, Sony added that its sensors work the same way as the human eye to fix optical issues, and even have a similar level of curvature.
As such, Sony has constructed a 2/3-inch prototype sensor typically seen in compact cameras, along with a full-frame version. As it happens, the latter sensor would work very nicely in an RX1-type camera. When such sensors arrive commercially, they're likely to be used in fixed lens and not mirrorless or DSLR models to start with, since they wouldn't work with any existing lenses on the market. In fact, there's a rumor that a possible RX2 will be announced in September at Photokina 2014 -- we're not holding our breath for a curved sensor on it, but you never know.
Via: DPReview
Source: Nikkei (Japanese)
4K TV Prices Are Falling Fast, Fueling Rapid Adoption Of The New Video Standard
4K TV adoption will largely be driven by the rapidly falling average selling price (ASP) of 4K-capable televisions, according to a recent report from BI Intelligence on the market for 4K TVs.
In just two years, prices for 4K declined by more than 85% worldwide, falling from $7,851 in 2012 to $1,120 in 2014, according to NPD.
Prices fell even faster in North America. The average price for a 4K-capable TV fell by 89% in North America, dropping from $18,668 in 2012 to $1,986 in 2014.
China has the lowest average selling price for a 4K television. The country’s average price for a 4K-capable TV fell by 78% between 2012 and 2014. China broke the $1,000 mark this year, with the price of a 4K Ultra HD television averaging just $973.
Here are some of the key trends we explore in the report:
- 4K-capable TVs will be in 10% of all North American households by year-end 2018. We forecast that this number will reach 50% by the end of 2024, just 10 years from now.
- The first wave of 4K content will become available on streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Instant, and YouTube. But we also look at how cable and traditional TV broadcasters will adopt the new format, and the obstacles they face.
- Shipments of 4K-capable TVs will reach 11 million units worldwide by the end of 2016, with China accounting for the largest share of these shipments. We look at why 4K adoption has been so rapid in China.
- We also look at manufacturers' market share for 4K TV shipments, a market heavily dominated by low-cost Chinese manufacturers.
Access The Full Report By Signing Up »
In full, the report:
- Explains the difference between 4K and traditional HD.
- Forecasts the pace of 4K adoption.
- Outlines the key factors that will allow 4K to roll out much faster than standard high definition.
- Highlights what 4K content is currently available, and where future content will come from.
- Analyzes China’s role in the spread of 4K.
- Examines the current market share for 4K TV manufacturers.
BI Intelligence is a subscription tech research service, covering the digital media industry. For full access to all our reports, briefs, and downloadable charts, sign up.
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