Nokia has recently made efforts to distinguish its smartphones with advanced photographic capabilities, introducing the PureView 808 with a 41MP rear camera. Now, Nokia’s long-time head of imaging and photography Damian Dinning, who has been with the company since 2004, is confirmed to be departing as of November 30. Dinning was also said to have been instrumental in the development of Windows Phone imaging software, through Nokia’s partnership with Microsoft.
Nokia also recently touted the Lumia 920′s low-light image capture prowess. And indeed, the 920 does take much brighter, better images in low-light situations thanks to optical image stabilization features built into the camera module. Camera quality and features have been promoted by Nokia as key differentiators for its Windows Phone 8 handsets versus competition from Apple and Android hardware OEMs.
Dinning’s background includes roles at Minolta and Eastman Kodak, and Nikon. In September he released a paper detailing Nokia’s plans regarding PureView technology and how it would be employed in the 920. In it, he described improved methods for making the most of the pixels available from that smartphone’s 8 megapixel shooter, rather than trying to cram more megapixels into a small form factor, as Nokia had done with the 808 PureView.
Amateur Photographer reports that Dinning’s departure “came as a blow” to Nokia higher ups, and indeed, losing the man responsible for one of their smartphone’s key features can’t be easy. We’ve reached out to Nokia for additional comment on this shift, and will update this story as needed.
This review of the Automatica 2012 shows the demos at STEMMER IMAGING’s booth, both hardware and software components. The following hardware is shown in this video (listed by order of appearance): – JAI LT-200 CL – JAI CB-080 GE – Silicon Software microEnable IV – Automation Technology (AT) C4 2040 – VR Magic AreaScan 3D – LMI Gocator 2340 – DALSA Boa 1024 – Smart Vision Lights RD – Cognex Dataman 300 – Cognex In-Sight 7000 – Vieworks VA – DALSA Genie TS – CCS FPQ – RGB backlight illumination based on OLED technology – OBE Trevista Surface – DALSA Boa – Cognex In-Sight – Allied Vision Technology (AVT) Manta – Cognex Dataman – Sony FCB-EH camera with CVA FGI-HD The software in this video comprises (listed by order of appearance): – AQSENSE 3D – DALSA Sherlock – Common Vision Blox (CVB) AreaScan3D Configuration Utility – LMI Gocator integrated web browser – DALSA iNspect – Cognex Dataman Setup Tool – Cognex In-Sight Explorer with EasyBuilder For more information about our company and our product portfolio please visit www.stemmer-imaging.com
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It’s taken just over a month for Nokia to get everything in place, but its now announced that around 50 “world-class imaging specialists” have joined Espoo’s already substantial mobile imaging department, alongside a stack of Scalado’s technologies and intellectual property. The imaging specialist’s co-founder, Sami Niemi, who will now head up the Capture and Relive section of Smart Devices at Nokia, said: “The technologies and competences we’ve developed should help move from taking photos to capturing memories and emotions.” (We’re sure those hulking PureView sensors will help too.) Take a look at Nokia’s brief statement on its future in mobile imaging after the break.
Continue reading Nokia completes acquisiton of Scalado’s imaging tech and developers
Filed under: Cellphones, Software
Nokia completes acquisiton of Scalado’s imaging tech and developers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 03:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Skybox Imaging just closed a massive $ 70M Series C round led by Canaan Partners and Norwest Venture Partners. Michael Arrington’s CrunchFund got in on the action as well. The new investors join Khosla Ventures and Bessemer Venture Partners and brings Skybox Imaging’s total amount raised to $ 91 million.
The latest round of financing will allow Skybox to launch its first two high-resolution imaging microsatellites, dubbed SkyStat-1 and SkyStat-2. Eventually other microsatellites will join these two as Skybox surrounds the Earth with imaging satellites. It’s the company’s goal to provide high-resolution imagery of any spot on earth multiple times per day.
The additional funds will also help Skybox hire new talent. The company is currently looking to hire engineers, operation managers and satellite technicians.
“We will also use this capital to expand strategic alliances, position Skybox for initial commercial operations, and to accelerate the development path towards the full constellation of microsatellites,” said Skybox CEO Tom Ingersoll in a statement released to TechCrunch.
The first two satellites are set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2012 aboard an International Space Company Kosmotras Dnepr rocket. Eventually Skybox Imaging claims its constellation of satellites will be able to provide much more up-to-date imagery including high-definition video. I for one welcome our new satellite overlords and look forward to the day that I can inspect the grass in my front yard with a livestream from space.
I doubt that you’ve forgotten about Nokia’s crazy 808 PureView phone with a 41-megapixel camera. How could you? It’s impossible to dismiss, even if the whole 41-megapixel figure is a bit misleading.
The only issue with it is that it runs on Symbian, a slowly but surely dying platform. Luckily, Nokia has confirmed that its PureView technology is headed to the Windows Phone platform as a part of the Lumia line.
Nokia’s VP of Marketing Jo Harlow confirmed the news to Finnish newspaper Aamulehti, but said that while she isn’t sure of a precise timeline, “it shouldn’t take long.”
We’d expect PureView to hit Windows Phone alongside the Apollo update, with which many cool new features will find their way onto users’ phones. Even more exciting, however, is what this means for Windows Phone. The camera continues to be a big focus among consumers, and one that leaps as far ahead as this PureView tech is sure to make waves.
Windows Phones have thus far really only had the Nokia name and the platform behind them. Spec/hardware wise, they haven’t been highly competitive yet. PureView may change that, at least in the realm of consumer awareness, and I honestly can’t wait to review one of these bad boys.
[via WPCentral]
GoPro is ready to take action cameras to a whole new level. Again. The Half Moon Bay-based company just released the HD Hero2 Professional, a major refresh over the original (and much loved) HD Hero. Chief among the updates is a new video sensor that has twice the performance as the original including better low light capture. This new sensor is paired with a different lens that not only improves the overall clarity, but also features a 170 degree field of view rather than the 127 found in the older HD Hero. Yep, your extreme tomfoolery will look that much more awesome.
The HD Hero2 looks very similar to the original. It’s the same square form factor, which allows it to fit into the existing housings. However, GoPro improved the user experience markedly. A bonifide user interface now occupies the tiny LCD rather than a cryptic single character menu system (the original is horrible). Plus, the camera now has LED status lights on four sides rather than just the front.
The big improvement involves the internal systems. The new sensor and processor allows for incredible burst modes: 10 photos per second or one every .5 seconds. The faster sensor allows for 960p at 48 frames per second, 720p at 60 fps or WVGA at 120 fps. Plus, the sensor is capable of still photos at 11 megapixels, a huge upgrade from the 5MP sensor in the HD Hero. The new model also has an mini-HDMI port, and 3.5mm external stereo mic input along with a 3.5mm composite video port. Like the HD Hero, the HD Hero2 is also compatible with the BacPac add-ons including the upcoming WiFi BacPac that will add remote management through a small wireless remote and a smartphone.
GoPro dispatched the $ 299 HD Hero2 to Best Buy last week should the should be hitting your local store within the week. The model is also available on GoPro.com.
My buddy Dan strapped on the new HD Hero2 and braved a cold northern Michigan afternoon at Hartwick Pines State Park to capture the sample footage above. True to GoPro’s word, the new model’s video quality is definitely an improvement but the updated user interface is even more appreciated. The UI on the orignal is so obscure that I constantly have to refere to the instructional booklet. Plus, the multiple recording status lights allows users to see the recording status without sticking their head in front of the lens (all my videos started with a pic of my face looking oddly into the camera). There simply isn’t a more versatile and capable extreme recording system than the $ 299 GoPro HD Hero2.
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Reuters is reporting a bit of board room activity in Japan this morning, which could, by the end of today, result in Ricoh purchasing the Pentax brand and camera business from current owner and proprietor Hoya Corporation. The global news agency points out that Hoya’s initial acquisition of Pentax, back in 2007, was primarily motivated by its eagerness to acquire Pentax’s medical technology, and although the company’s had a slew of strong products since then, it probably makes sense for Hoya to pass the digicam work on to someone who might feel more invested in it. For its part, Ricoh also has a well respected line of digital compacts, but lacks the DSLR lineage and experience that Pentax brings. Provided this deal goes through as rumored, and Reuters has three sources who say it’s imminent, the only question we’ve got to ponder is whether the Pentax naming will take over for Ricoh’s slightly less recognizable branding or vice versa.
Update: That was quick! Hoya has confirmed the sale. Thanks, Ben! It is as reported earlier: Hoya will hang on to the rights to manufacture and develop products for the medical field, while Ricoh is gobbling up the Pentax Imaging Systems products with a view to expanding its presence in the consumer digital camera market.
Ricoh set to acquire Pentax camera brand and business, get serious about digital imaging originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Infra-red satellite imaging of Egypt has revealed a buried city near San El Hagar with over 17 pyramids, 1,000 tombs and 3,000 other buildings. It’s the ancient city of Tanis, and it’s where the Ark of the Covenant is buried (provided you believe Raiders of the Lost Ark, but not past the point where Indy actually finds it, the Nazi’s get all f***ed up after opening it, and it winds up in a crate in some nondescript government warehouse). Sounds legit to me!
The team analysed images from satellites orbiting 700km above the earth, equipped with cameras so powerful they can pin-point objects less than 1m in diameter on the earth’s surface.
Infra-red imaging was used to highlight different materials under the surface.
Ancient Egyptians built their houses and structures out of mud brick, which is much denser than the soil that surrounds it, so the shapes of houses, temples and tombs can be seen.
So like, is looting still frowned upon? Hey — I don’t even need the ark, I’d settle for a mummified cat and a jarful of organ jerky. Just a little something for my foyer to let visitors know I’m cultured. “Would you settle for a paperback copy of ‘The Book of the Dead’ and a cartouche necklace that reads ‘Geekologie Writer’?” SOLD!
Egyptian pyramids found by infra-red satellite images [bbcnews] and Buried city revealed by satellite [bbcnews] (with video)
Thanks to Paul E, not to be confused with Wall E, who I’d beat to pieces with a shovel.
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Back in 2005, we reported on a little something called the Prism 200, which allowed its holder to essentially see what folks were doing on the other side of a wall. Since then, we’ve seen plenty of devices that boast the same claims, but it wasn’t until recently that the makers of the Prism 200 created a device that can actually see inside those walls. Looking something akin to an old school punch clock, Cambridge Consultants’ Sprint in-wall radar imaging system provides 3D renderings of items embedded in walls, floors, and even ceilings. Where as existing X-ray systems require access to both sides of a wall, Sprint’s radar setup allows users to see what’s going on inside without dual access. As you might imagine, Cambridge is pushing this thing as a security tool, allowing for detection of bombs, drugs, dead bodies — you know, the usual bad guy stuff. Sprint is currently undergoing testing. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading Sprint radar imaging system peeps inside walls, floors to detect bombs, tell-tale hearts
Sprint radar imaging system peeps inside walls, floors to detect bombs, tell-tale hearts originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BK Medical Introduces Revolutionary Advanced Robotic Ultrasound Technology (ART) for Prostate Imaging at European … PEABODY, Mass. — BK Medical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Analogic Corporation , introduced Advanced Robotic Ultrasound Technology (ART), the industry’s first complete ultrasound imaging solution for robotic surgery. Read more on GlobeNewswire via Yahoo! Finance
Norwin’s robotics camps ratchet up student interest Technology teachers at Norwin Middle School hope underwater and outer-space adventures will bring students into the district’s robotics programs. Read more on Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
ON CAMPUS: Students to play in concert Advanced music students are busy preparing for the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District festivals to be held at 5 to 9 p.m. March 29 and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 at Valencia High School auditorium. The public is welcome to come listen to… Read more on Yorba Linda Star
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