ProDrone’s Byrd quadcopter can (almost) deliver a baby
Leaf through the pages of the tech press of 2015, and you’ll see the consumer-friendly camera drone slowly evolving. ProDrone’s Byrd is the latest frame in that flip book: a foldable quadcopter with up to 25 minutes of flight time, and an enough power for an impressive 4.5-pound payload (enough for a DSLR). It also looks a bit like a PSone.
Other features include the option for two controllers/transmitters to fly it, which seems as much a recipe for confusion as it does a safety feature, plus the option to swap out cameras, with ProDrone hinting at 4K, 1080p, and infrared options (plus support for GoPro). As is becoming the norm, features like follow-me/GPS flying, and HD video streaming are also included, along with DJI-like interior positioning (though no details on how that will work). Looks-wise, if the oh-so-sweet Lily had an evil sibling, it’d be the Byrd.
To give an idea on how much more payload the Byrd will reportedly lift (4.5lbs) compared to rivals, DJI’s Phantom 2 states just 0.66 lbs (300g) as its safe maximum load. 3DR’s Solo does a little better, suggesting you don’t add anything more than one pound. So, while this Byrd won’t quite deliver (most) babies, it looks like it can lift more than its main competition. ProDrone unveiled the Byrd at IBC in Amsterdam today, and will cost between $800 and $3,000 depending on configuration. More details of which, when it becomes available later this year.
Filed under:
Misc
Source:
ProDrone
Tags: 4k, byrd, cameradrone, drone, gopro, ibc, prodrone, quadcopter
HandyCase adds touch controls to the back of your iPhone or iPad
It can be tough playing games on a tablet, since you can’t hold ’em up comfortably like a controller or a phone. Silicon Valley startup HandScape believes their iPhone and iPad “HandyCase” is the answer to that problem. HandyCase might look just like any other protective shell, you see, but it actually adds touch capability to the back of your device. Plus, it animates your fingers as you move them from behind, making the phone or tablet seem transparent. You can even choose what kind of fingers you see on screen: the ordinary/boring kind, robotic digits or x-ray hands.
Since the startup is still in the midst of crowdfunding $100,000 to kick its project into production, don’t expect to be able to buy and get one shipped overnight. That said, the HandyCase is available for the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, as well as for the iPad Air, mini and Pro. The amount you’d have to pledge varies depending on the device, but it looks like the company won’t be shipping out any unit until April 2016.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Apple
Via:
Gizmag
Source:
Kickstarter
Tags: apple, handscape, handycase, kickstarter, mobilepostcross
Apple’s Live Photos Take Up About 2x Space of Normal Images
One of the novel new features coming in the iPhone 6s is the new Live Photos feature which captures an additional 3 seconds of video surrounding photos on the new iPhones. The new feature is on by default and allows you to take photos as usual. Apple describes it:
A still photo captures an instant frozen in time. With Live Photos, you can turn those instants into unforgettable living memories. At the heart of a Live Photo is a beautiful 12‑megapixel photo. But together with that photo are the moments just before and after it was taken, captured with movement and sound
Live Photos will be viewable on existing iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watch devices with the latest operating systems. Apple is also opening up the API for developers to support the new format in their own apps. Facebook has already committed to supporting Live Photos in their iOS app later this year.
While few details about the new image format has been released, TechCrunch’s Matthew Panzarino reveals in a video that the new format will take up approximate twice the space of a normal 12MP photo. Panzarino describes that even the current iPhones start taking photos the moment the Camera app is launched, and that traditionally, only the last photo the moment the shutter is pressed is stored. The new system will simply take the surrounding photos and compress them into this new format.
Meanwhile, @DanMatte reveals that the new Live Photos format is a bundle of images based on the JPEG file format, allowing them to be easily sent as a still image to devices that don’t support Live Photo. Apple’s developer documents indicate that you can share the image as a regular JPEG if desired.
More details should come out as the new iPhones begin shipping on September 25th.
SHIELD Tablet receives Stagefright and performance patch
NVIDIA has started rolling out a new update for its SHIELD Tablet, version number 3.1.1. The patch addresses the Android Stagefright exploit that a selection of other OEMs have been addressing over the past month and also includes a number of performance optimizations.
The Stagefright patch prevents would be attackers from being able to access your device through a simple multimedia message. The SHIELD Tablet has also been treated to a variety of performance improvements and optimizations, which should result in a more stable tablet, improved battery life and smoother Netflix playback as well, according to the NVIDIA change log.
There is also a firmware update available for the Shield Controller, although NVIDIA doesn’t detail the exact changes here. You won’t need to download this separately though, as users will be automatically prompted to install it once the Controller is connected up to their tablet.
SHIELD Tablet users should spot an update notification appear any time soon, if it hasn’t popped up already.
Sony’s full-frame, high-ISO Alpha 7s II can record 4K video
Sony has revealed the mirrorless full-frame Alpha A7s II, the successor to one of its most unusual cameras. The original Alpha A7s carried a maximum 409,600 max ISO setting, allowing images to be captured in near darkness. The new model fixes the biggest problem with the original: for 4K video, you needed an external recorder. The A7s II now has internal 4K recording at 24 or 30fps, and also uses a full-sensor readout with no pixel binning at both 4K and 1080p resolutions. In layman’s terms, that means you’ll get sharper 4K video with no moire or jagged lines. Slideshow-318723
The A7s II retains the same 12-megapixel sensor and 409,600 ISO light sensitivity of the original model. It can shoot 1080p video at 120fps with a full readout, which Sony says is a first in its Alpha A7 series. It also introduced a new shooting mode called S-Log3, which allows for 14-stops of dynamic range, making shooting possible in a wider variety of lighting conditions.
Another new feature is 5-axis stabilization, which it borrowed from the recent Alpha 7 II. That means you’ll get less jitter on shots taken at night or with long, telephoto lenses. The camera also has a new autofocus system with 169 AF points for quicker and more accurate focusing. In addition, the high ISO sensor’s lack of noise means you can often focus on objects that you can’t even see with the naked eye, as Sony points out. There’s also a new OLED electronic viewfinder with 0.78x magnification that should also make for easier manual focusing at night.
This is not a camera for everyone, of course. For one, it costs a considerable sum, €3,400 (we’re still waiting for US pricing). The relatively low 12-megapixel resolution for still images will also discourage most photographers. However, if you need good quality 4K video and ultra-high light sensitivity — and many videographers would love those features — then it’ll be arriving to Europe sometime in November.
Source:
Sony
Tags: A7s II, Alpha, AlphaA7sII, Full-frame, Mirrorless, sony
Zagg Announces Two Keyboard Cases for iPad Pro
Just a day after Logitech announced the first third-party keyboard case for the iPad Pro, Zagg revealed its keyboard case lineup for Apple’s newest iPad line. However, unlike Logitech’s keyboard, which was developed with Apple and utilizes the new Smart Connector, ZAGG’s cases require a Bluetooth connection.
The first keyboard case for the iPad Pro is the Slim Book Pro, which will retail for $139.99. The iPad Pro’s Slim Book is essentially a larger version of the same keyboard case that’s available for the iPad Air and iPad Mini, which is a keyboard that comes with a detachable case for the iPad. The second case is a new product called the Messenger Universal, which will retail for $69.99. Zagg has not yet detailed how the Messenger Universal works or what it looks like.
Zagg also announced the new line of keyboard cases for the new iPad Mini 4. The Slim Book with backlit keys will retail for $119.99 and be available on September 15. Two Folio cases will be available on September 25, with the backlit keys option available for $99.99 and the non-backlit option available for $79.99.
The Slim Book Pro and Messenger Universal for iPad Pro will both be available for purchase in November. Zagg also hints that it will offer a full range of accessories for both the iPad Pro and iPad Mini 4, including InvisibleShield screen protector and power and audio products.
Dolby Vision imaging tech swings to Sony movies
Slowly but surely Dolby Vision is making its way to more and more places. The cinema company recently announced that it’s partnering with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment to give Hirai and Co.’s flicks a brighter, more contrasty image, whether you’re watching it via a physical or digital format. No specific titles were announced for the high dynamic range video feature, but the press release quotes mention that new releases as well as catalog titles will benefit from the relatively new 4K UHD tech. So! For those keeping track at home, this marks two major studios signed on, as Warner Bros. announced its partnership earlier this year. On the streaming side, Netflix and Xbox Video announced in 2014. Now we just need those Ultra Blu-rays and their players to hit and we’ll really be in business.
Filed under:
Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source:
Dolby
Tags: 4k, 4kuhd, dolby, dolbyvision, hdpostcross, hdr, hdrvideo, sony, SonyPicturesHomeEntertainment, uhd, ultrabluray, video
‘Stagefright’ vulnerability files released to the wild
On the heels of its Stagefright detection app, Zimperium (the outfit that discovered the Android security flaw) has released its exploit to the public. But before you get your hands dirty tinkering with it to find a fix there are a few things you need to consider. Zimperium says that it was tested on a Nexus device that was running Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 and that “due to variances in heap layout” this exploit isn’t entirely reliable. The Python script does work to take advantage of “one of the most critical” vulnerabilities the outfit discovered in the security flaw’s library, however. Perhaps the biggest caveat, though, is that since the file was tested with Ice Cream Sandwich, Zimperium says that elements of Android 5.0 Lollipop, the fast-growing OS of choice for Android users, basically nullify its attempts to address the problem.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile
Source:
Zimperium
Tags: android, flaw, IcecreamSandwich, lollipop, mobile, mobilepostcross, nexus, python, security, stagefright, zimperium
Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition now receiving Android 5.1 update
Samsung is currently pushing out a rather unexpected update to all unlocked variants of the Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition located in the United States. In terms of added functionality, this upgrade transports the latest build of Android 5.1.1 to the handset, as well as a multitude of bug fixes, stability improvements and speed optimizations.
Hit the break for the full changelog.
- Material Design: You will quickly notice a whole new colorful look and feel to your device – from fluid animations to new application and system themes, colors and widgets.
- Notifications UI & Priorities: In order to alert you to the mosttimely and relevant information, the format and behavior of notifications have evolved:
- notifications will appear on the lock screen and are intelligently ranked by type and who sent them.
- you double-tap to open one, swipe left or right to clear one, or clear all notifications from the bottom of the list.
- you can set the priority and privacy of notifications for each application.
- very high priority notifications will pop up briefly over other applications so that you can take action.
- when you dismiss a notification on one device it will be dismissed on your other Android devices, if they are connected to the Internet.
- you can further tailor how notifications behave with the new Downtime and Ambient Display settings (see below).
- New Interruptions & Downtime Settings: You can tailor how interruptions behave, choosing to allow all, none, or only priority interruptions. You can personalize what counts as a priority interruption (reminders, events, calls, messages) and even tailor them to be from only contacts you specify. The Downtime setting will allow only priority interruptions during the times and days that you specify. e.g. allow only priority interruptions on the weekend.
- Recent Apps (Multi-tasking): The redesigned Overview space (formerly called Recents) will include both applications and separate activities within those applications. For instance, each open tab in Chrome will also appear here along with recent applications; both your Gmail Inbox and a draft email message will appear as separate cards. This provides a consistent way to switch amongst tasks.
- Flashlight: Lollipop includes a new flashlight option as part of Quick settings (swipe down with two fingers from the status bar to see it).
- Pin a view/app: Screen pinning allows you to keep a specific app or screen in view. For example, you can ‘pin’ a game and your child will not be able to navigate anywhere else on your phone.
- Battery: The Battery settings panel now shows an estimated projection for how much time you have left while discharging or charging. You can also enable a new battery saver mode that will save power by reducing performance and most background data operations to extend your battery life.
- Smarter Internet Connections: With Android Lollipop, your phone will not connect to a Wi-Fi access point unless there is a verified Internet connection. This feature improves hand-offs between Wi-Fi and cellular connections, helping to maintain your video chat or voice-over-IP (VoIP) call as you switch.
- Performance: Your phone now uses the new Android Runtime to help optimize application performance. After upgrading to Lollipop, your applications will undergo a one-time optimization process. Note that the optimization for ART requires more space.
- Security: Encryption can now use a stronger 256-bit key to help protect your data. Note that the stronger key willonly be used after you perform a factory reset on Android Lollipop. Otherwise encryption will continue to use 128-bit key. You can turn on encryption in the Security settings menu.
If you don’t feel like waiting for a notification confirming that the update is ready for your device, you could always search for the upgrade manually. To do so simply follow the four steps below:
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on “About Device”
- Hit “System Updates”
- Tap on “Check for update”
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition now receiving Android 5.1 update
Samsung Galaxy J2 (SM-J200) passes through the FCC
Less than twenty-four hours ago, we reported that Samsung is gearing up to launch its latest upcoming budget-friendly, 4G-enabled smartphone, the Galaxy J2, in India, and today the handset made a quick pit stop at the United States of America’s official certification authority — the FCC — thereby adding weight to the claim that the unit’s release is imminent.
Unfortunately, the paperwork included in the filing doesn’t reveal anything about the internals of the device, but recent leaks, rumors and speculation suggests that it will pack a 4.5-inch TFT display, a 1.2GHz Exynos 3475 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable internal storage, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 2,000mAh Li-Ion battery.
If you wish to view the full FCC documentation – hit the source link below.
Source: FCC
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy J2 (SM-J200) passes through the FCC
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