Future iPhones Could Capture ‘Super-Resolution’ Photos Using Optical Image Stabilization
Today, the US Patent & Trademark Office published Apple patent application number 20140125825 that describes a method of producing super-resolution images using optical image stabilization (OIS) and burst-mode photos (via AppleInsider). This may allow future models of the iPhone to generate images that exceed the megapixel resolution limits of the camera hardware.
The invention uses a camera with an optical image stabilization module that can take multiple images with each subsequent capture offset by a small amount. These lower resolution images are then intelligently stitched together by a dedicated image processor to create a resulting high-resolution photograph.
A system and method for creating a super-resolution image using an image capturing device. In one embodiment, an electronic image sensor captures a reference optical sample through an optical path. Thereafter, an optical image stabilization (OIS) processor to adjusts the optical path to the electronic image sensor by a known amount. A second optical sample is then captured along the adjusted optical path, such that the second optical sample is offset from the first optical sample by no more than a sub-pixel offset. The OIS processor may reiterate this process to capture a plurality of optical samples at a plurality of offsets. The optical samples may be combined to create a super-resolution image.
Image stabilization allows for sharper photos and videos by utilizing motion tracking and other technology to remove the effects of device shakiness during capture. Apple currently offers software-based image stabilization in which the device takes four photos in quick succession and the combines them to reduce blurring., but the company has been rumored to be looking to improve this system. While OIS would embed the technology directly into the camera hardware, improved electronic image stabilization would allow for the iPhone to have a slimmer camera that does not protrude outside the device.
Rumors from earlier this year suggested Apple could incorporate Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology into its upcoming iPhone 6, possibly contracting with InvenSense to supply the necessary hardware. The company’s work on the technology has also surfaced in other patent filings, leveraging the expertise of Richard Topliss an engineer recruited from Cambridge Mechatronics in early 2012. The most recent rumor from ESM China analyst Sun Chang Xu claims, however, that Apple may equip the iPhone 6 camera with an improved sensor module and an electronic image stabilization system.
Nintendo Unveils First Web-Based Service for Smartphones
As a part of its latest financial results briefing (via Engadget), Nintendo has unveiled its first web-based service optimized for smartphones to coincide with the upcoming release of Mario Kart 8. The web app will allow all users to view gameplay videos and other information, while those with a Nintendo Network ID will be able to upload videos, establish their rankings, and see friend activity over time.
This is the layout for a smartphone. This web service will enable more people to easily watch Nintendo’s official videos, view rankings, watch videos that their friends have shared and videos of tournaments in which they have participated.
This “Mario Kart TV” (temp.) web service is available even for players without NNIDs, but by logging into the service with an NNID, they will be able to easily find their rankings, videos that their friends have shared, videos of tournaments in which they have participated, and it will be convenient to access this service through smart devices even when they are not at home.
The reveal of the new service comes four months after Nintendo president Satoru Iwata acknowledged that the company would consider “a new business structure” that involves smart devices after a third consecutive annual loss. Shortly after Iwata’s comments, Japanese business newspaper Nikkei reported that Nintendo’s mobile push would focus on marketing demos and not full games, with those claims later denied by Nintendo.
Nintendo has faced heavy competition from mobile platforms in recent years, with App Annie and IDC finding that consumer spending on games for iOS and Android rose to 4x that of dedicated gaming handhelds.
Nintendo’s investors have also called on the company to develop titles for iOS and other platforms, while others have suggested that Nintendo should “buy its way” into the smartphone market by either acquiring technology or developing their own. While this newest web service may not be a large initial showing, it may also indicate that Nintendo is testing the waters ahead of more full-fledged efforts in the future.
United Airlines now offering free in-flight streaming over WiFi
Remember when American Airlines said it’d offer TV and movie streaming? Not to be outdone, United has joined the pack, offering a similar service to its laptop and iOS device-using passengers. Those who travel on a United Airlines WiFi-enabled flight will have a choice of around 150 movies and 200 TV shows, although there’s no word on what sort of stuff you can expect to see. You can find out if you’re on a suitably-equipped plane 48 hours before take-off, as details of the streaming will be available on the amenities section of United’s website. Call us old cynics, but we’d wager that offering free in-flight streaming where users bring their own hardware is probably a little bit cheaper than installing screens in every seat.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Transportation, Apple
Via: MacLife
Source: iTunes
Apple Releases Guidelines for Law Enforcement Data Requests
In a new legal resources page posted on its website Wednesday night (via AppleInsider), Apple outlined its guidelines regarding requests for customer data from from U.S. law enforcement agencies, specifying what information the company can and can not retrieve from devices upon the receipt of a search warrant or legal notice.
Regarding the extraction of data from passcode locked iOS devices, Apple states that it may only retrieve information from its own first party apps, which includes SMS messages, photos, videos, contacts, audio recording, and call history. However, Apple can not provide access to email, calendar entries or third-party app data. The company says the data extraction process itself can only be performed on devices in “good working order” at its Cupertino, California headquarters.
Apple will also assist law enforcement in returning lost iPhones to their rightful owners, agreeing to contact the customer of record and have them contact law enforcement to get their property back pending available information.
The new page follows a report from The Washington Post last week which stated that the company would begin notifying its users of secret personal data requests from law enforcement. Apple has become increasingly concerned about privacy matters since the discovery of PRISM, a secret intelligence program ran by the NSA.
CEO Tim Cook was noted as saying that the NSA would have to “cart [Apple] out in a box” before it could access the company’s servers, as Apple also hired certified privacy professional Sabrina Ross last month to oversee the protection of consumer data.
Adobe Debuts ‘Adobe Voice’ Video Storytelling App for iPad [iOS Blog]
Adobe today announced Adobe Voice, a new iPad app that allows users to make simple animated video “stories” that incorporate voice, photos, icons, music, animated themes, and more. Designed for people that have little to no filmmaking experience, Adobe Voice imagines itself as a useful presentation creation tool for everyone from small business owners to students.
Designed to help people make an impact online and across social networks — without requiring any filming or editing — Adobe Voice is ideal for creative professionals prototyping a project, nonprofits championing a cause, small business owners connecting with customers or students looking to create an interactive and engaging school report.
Adobe Voice can be used to create videos for a wide array of topics, though they are more akin to animated slideshows than traditional videos. The app has a gallery that includes several pre-made videos available through an “Explore” feature, showing the myriad ways the videos can be used: delivering a homework assignment, telling a story, showing off a product, and describing a charity organization are all given as examples.
Adobe aims to assist in the video creation process from idea to completed video with Adobe Voice. The app opens with a set of general story templates that can be used to create a video, including “Explain Something,” “Teach a Lesson,” “Share an Invitation,” and “Promote an Idea,” among others. The app also includes ideas for inspiration, suggesting title topics from categories ranging from personal to business to instructional.
Once a template is chosen, the app walks a user through the process of creating a video using simple tap gestures to insert audio and images to a series of slides. Each slide begins with a recording of the user’s own voice, which is then set to music.
Icons, text, and images are then added to each slide, from Adobe’s own cache of licensed content. Users can search for a photo or icon to represent what they’re aiming to convey, which can be added to a video in a few simple steps. By combining several image and text slides with user-created voiceovers, the video is generated bit-by-bit and the entire creation process can take as little as just a few minutes.
Video stories can be customized with a variety of different animated themes (there are more than 30), several different layouts, and mood-appropriate music choices. They’re also sharable through a number of different social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter, as well as Adobe’s Creative Cloud platform.
Adobe Voice can be downloaded from the App Store for free. It requires both iOS 7 and an iPad 2 or later. [Direct Link]
Apple’s North American Sales Head Departs, Japan Sales Chief Doug Beck to Take Over [Mac Blog]
Apple’s head of North American sales, Zane Rowe, will be leaving the company, reports The Wall Street Journal. Rowe, who initially joined the company two years ago from United Continental Holdings, will be replaced by Doug Beck.
Beck already oversees sales in both Japan and Korea, and following Rowe’s departure, he will take over North American sales.
Doug Beck has done a great job helping to grow Apple’s business in Japan and Korea. His role is expanding to include North America sales as well,” said Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet.
During Apple’s January earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted sales in North America were down somewhat year over year, largely due to supply/demand balance issues with the iPhone 5s. Sales in Japan, however, which were managed by Beck, Rowe’s replacement, were up some 40 percent.
No reason has been given for Rowe’s departure, but he joins Apple’s VP of Public Relations Katie Cotton in leaving the company. Cotton’s retirement was announced earlier today, following more than 18 years at the company.
The departure of both Cotton and Rowe comes just as Apple has hired a new chief of online and retail, Angela Ahrendts, who officially joined the company last week.
Apple Seeds OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Build 13D61 to Developers [Mac Blog]
Apple today seeded build 13D61 of OS X 10.9.3 to developers, just over a week after releasing the ninth OS X beta, build 13D55, and nearly two months after the first 10.9.3 beta.
The beta is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store as well as through the Mac Dev Center.
Apple continues to ask developers to focus on Graphics Drivers, Audio, Mail, Contacts and Calendar sync over USB in iTunes, and Safari. As was discovered with the first beta, 10.9.3 adds new support for 4K displays, offering “Retina” resolutions that improve readability along with support for 60Hz output from the Retina MacBook Pro.
OS X 10.9.3 is likely nearing completion, as AppleCare employees were today seeded 10.9.3 build 13D62, one build later than what developers are receiving. A public launch could come as soon as this week.
OS X 10.9.3 Public Launch Imminent [Mac Blog]
The latest OS X beta, 10.9.3, may see a public release within the next few days, as AppleCare employees have received a fresh build of the beta. The last build seeded to developers was 13D55, but as noted by 9to5Mac, employees have been given build 13D62, which suggests the beta is nearing the end states of testing.
The OS X Mavericks 10.9.3 Update is recommended for all Mavericks users. It improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac.
This update:
– Improves 4K display support on Mac Pro (Late 2013) and MacBook Pro with 15-inch Retina Display (Late 2013)
– Adds the ability to sync contacts and calendars between a Mac and iOS device using a USB connection
– Improves the reliability of VPN connections using IPsec
– Includes Safari 7.0.3For detailed information about this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6228
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
10.9.3 will include improved 4K display support, enabling a HiDPI “Retina” scaling option for 4K monitors used with the 2013 Mac Pro and the 2013 Retina MacBook Pro, along with a 60Hz refresh rate.
It is unclear exactly when the beta might be released, but it could be as soon as this afternoon.
Hands-On with iPhone 6 Case and Physical Mockup
Over the past several weeks, a number of photos and videos have shown cases and even physical mockups of Apple’s rumored iPhone 6. Most of the cases and mockups appear to have been based either on alleged design drawings published by Japanese magazine MacFan in late March or on essentially identical information leaking through other channels.
Left to right: iPhone 3G, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, iPhone 6 mockup, Retina iPad mini
(Click for larger)
MacRumors has now obtained one of these iPhone 6 cases and separately 3D printed a very rough physical mockup based on the MacFan drawings for the 4.7-inch model. Together, the case and the mockup give a good idea of the feel of a larger iPhone.
The larger iPhone definitely makes one-handed operation more difficult, even for relatively large hands, but many users are already accustomed to using two hands much of the time. With the larger body, Apple appears to be shifting the sleep/wake button from the top edge of the device to the right side, and this new location feels very natural in our hands, with the index finger sitting right on the button in a left-handed grip.
iPhone 6 mockup (left) and iPhone 5 (right) in the hand
(Click for larger)
Our physical mockup includes our mocked up home screen showing that a 4.7-inch screen at the same 326 pixels per inch as the iPhone 5s would yield a 1334×750 display that could display an additional row of icons. While the mockup is based on the design drawings posted by MacFan, we did elect to slightly depress the surface of the device in order to help its physical features stand out more.
iPhone 5 in iPhone 6 case (left) and edge views of case (right)
(Click for larger)
With the case and mockup in hand, we encourage readers with questions to share them in the discussion thread associated with this story and we’ll do our best to address them.
Apple Public Relations Vice President Katie Cotton to Retire
Katie Cotton is retiring from her position as VP of worldwide corporate communications at Apple, reports Recode. Cotton has worked in Apple’s public relations department for almost twenty years, serving under both Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.
“Katie has given her all to this company for over 18 years,” Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said in a statement. “She has wanted to spend time with her children for some time now. We are really going to miss her.”
Cotton has confirmed her retirement, saying it was an extremely difficult decision to make as “Apple is a part of my heart.”
Cotton is known for having been fiercely protective of Apple executives, particularly Steve Jobs, serving as gatekeeper for all media access and shepherding executives through their formal and informal meetings with the press. Given Apple’s penchant for secrecy, Cotton has long been tasked with keeping a tight rein on the company’s PR operations, managing Apple’s image and contributing to the company’s presentations.
