Sunday, 14 February 2016

Zeiss is making high-quality lenses for your iPhone



Credit: Zeiss/Funky Space Monkey

Best camera is the one you have with you – that frequently means the camera in your phone, & the cameras in top-of-the-range phones are remarkably good, despite the compromises required to cram them into the tiny space available in a phone which has skinny-jeans-compatibility as a major design parameter.

Many solutions to the limitations of phone cameras are available, & the German lens maker, Zeiss is about to provide one more for the iPhone 6 & 6s, as well as their Plus variants. Three lenses will be available, as shown in the image above: telephoto, wide-angle & a zoomable macro lens, plus the aluminium bracket. Lenses will be attached to the phone by screwing into the bracket. The bracket will also provide a thread for attachment to a standard tripod, plus a mounting point for other accessories.

Release is promised before mid-2016.

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/49585-2

More comprehensive coverage:
http://iphonephotographyschool.com/exolens-zeiss-lenses/
/ add-on lenses greater flexibility more creative options shooting with your iPhone available lenses poor optics reduced image quality iPhone lens developer ExoLens Zeiss one of the most renowned manufacturers camera lenses since the late 19th century add-on lenses lenses game-changer iPhone photography three lenses available wide angle telephoto Zoom macro lens ExoLens available first iPhone 6 6s 6 Plus 6s Plus other versions may follow more detailed look specifications three lenses wide angle lens wide angle lens 0.6x magnification 18mm lens DSLR full frame 35 mm equivalent lens capable focusing distance of 50cm infinity range most wide angle uses telephoto lens telephoto lens 2x magnification 36mm minimum focus distance standard iPhone add-on lenses similar to a 58mm DSLR lens normal lens larger camera built-in lens iPhone wide angle lens macro lens new macro lens minimum focus distance 30mm lens only continuous zoom accessory for smartphones zoom lens allows greater focal range compared to other macro lenses only focus very specific length all else remains out-of-focus macro lenses lens focus at extremely close distances more range macro lenses shooting experience tripod macro photography shallow focal distance very hard create decent hand-held macro shots macro lens ExoLens Zeiss magnification macro lens object as small as 3cm could fill the frame close-up macro photography semi-transparent lens hood diffuser get extremely close to your subject allowing in additional light from the sides improve exposure handy guide how close you can get to your subject hood itself renowned Zeiss lens quality three new lenses manufacturer typical of Zeiss quality and styling black anodized aluminum frames anti-reflective coatings minimize glare lenses appear highest design quality premium add-on lenses Moment Lenses edge-to-edge sharpness minimal distortion no noticeable chromatic aberration blurring colored fringing notable optics manufacturer Zeiss near-perfect optics Zeiss Zeiss ExoLens deliver quality lenses new mounting frame lenses attach iPhone unique ExoLens mounting bracket made from machined aluminum lens mounts bracket secure screw thread ExoLens bracket full case iPhone many other add-on lens mounts lenses can’t use a case at the same time ExoLens frame standard sized size threaded tripod mount accessory shoe mounting external lights and other accessories Zeiss-quality lens lenses iPhone huge step forward using external lenses photography test new lenses best premium add-on lenses iPhone /

Saturday, 13 February 2016

This may just be the 'droid you’re looking for



Credit: Spin Master/nextstories.com/Talkino

If you’ve seen Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, you will remember the new 'droid – BB-8. Sphero has had a BB-8 robot available for some time, but at 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) tall it is much smaller than the one in the movie, & has a “head” which is proportionally smaller.

If the miniature BB-8 is not to your taste, you may be interested in a larger BB-8 at 48 cm (19 inches) from Spin Master. It also responds to voice commands & comes with a dedicated remote.

Spin Master's BB-8 is scheduled to make its first appearance at the Toy Fair in New York City, 13-16 February.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/02/the-best-bb-8-yet-recognizes-voice-commands-and-comes-when-its-called/

Spin Master currently make a Yoda robot:


Credit: Spin Master / BB-8 recognises voice commands comes when called Sphero BB-8 toy 2016 New York Toy Fair this weekend next week Spin Master remote control BB-8 stands over 41cm tall responds respond voice commands pair of antennas on top Spin Master’s BB-8 48cm tall The Force Awakens droid sidekick disappointed tiny version Sphero revealed handheld remote looks similar to a Nintendo Wiimote analogue joystick on one end remotely control steer BB-8 around Spin Master Star Wars fans talk to their droids Luke Rey Poe do BB-8 voice recognition talk to BB-8 automatically turn its head follow your voice fun interactive element respond when you say its name smart enough to track your position roll over to you when you call it several voice commands BB-8 understands Follow Me mode BB-8 automatically roll beside you like a loyal puppy BB-8 toy Spin Master release releasing droid sidekick wonderful technology packed inside lights authentic sound effects movie $US180 ($254) price tag slightly more expensive than Sphero’s offering pricey collectible Star Wars fans /

Friday, 12 February 2016

Tesla Model 3 event, March 2016 – may show the car, will take deposits


There has been much speculation surrounding a statement from Elon Musk about the Model 3 event at the end of March 2016.

On 29 January, in a presentation at Tesla Motors, France headquarters in Chambourcy, the following exchange occured:

Question from the audience: When will we see pictures of Model 3?
Elon Musk: The first pictures of the Model 3 will be end of March. Yeah ... I am being a little coy here, we're not gonna show everything about the Model 3 until a lot closer to production time.”

If you are not a French speaker, don’t be put off by the text in the video below. Elon Musk apparently doesn’t speak French either, so all of the important audio is in English. The exchange above begins at the 12:26 mark:



This tells us that:

● the long promised March 2016 Model 3 event is still on

● in response to a question specifically about pictures, he indicated that they will be available at that time

● no information about what else will be available


Below is an item from Green Car Reports, 11 February, which indicates:

●  “unveiling” of the Model 3 at the end of March

● Elon Musk himself is still undecided about how much to reveal

● first deliveries end of 2017

● deposits of $US1,000 will be accepted in Tesla stores on 31 March

● online deposits will be accepted from 01 April

● Tesla has a high level of confidence that the event will provide enough information to attract $1,000 deposits – if, as in the past, deposits are refundable, this may not be a seen as a very high barrier


http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1102332_tesla-model-3-unveil-by-march-31-deposits-accepted-that-day
/ Tesla Motors quarterly conference call fourth-quarter fourth quarter 2015 full-year full year financial results eager buyers Tesla most important news upcoming Model 3 company's third generation electric cars electric vehicle EV 200 miles range starting price $35,000 before incentives know incrementally more Model 3 rollout Tesla Model 3 What $35,000 200 mile electric car Tesla CEO Elon Musk Model 3 unveiled end of next month March new vehicle will go into production end of next year 2017 unveiling Model 3 end of next month going into production delivery at the end of next year 2017 Tesla Model 3 March debut car pictures analyst's question what will be revealed Model 3 end of March Musk show all the cards keep a few cards close to the vest haven't made decision yet reveals next month sufficient to let potential buyers decide put down a deposit future car Musk tweeted tweet no Signature Series versions Model 3 Musk tweeted deposit earnings call first versions Model 3 delivered relatively highly optioned versions Model S Model X delivered Founder's Series cars first Jason Wheeler Tesla's new chief financial officer investment new paint shop assembly plant Fremont California Model 3 updated paint-shop capacity company production 10,000 units per week latest projections Tesla average 1,600 to 1,800 cars per week Tesla Motors Q4-2015 financial-results conference call /

Thursday, 11 February 2016

Extra free space on your Google account


If you want 2 GB of extra free storage space on your Google Drive, all you need to do is check the security of your account. This is no imposition, because you should be doing it from time-to-time anyway.

More at Mashable:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-minute-google-checkup-will-give-2-gb-free-space/

When I did it earlier today, didn't time it, but my extra 2GB appeared in less than 30 minutes.

For more on how much you can store in your Google Drive (it’s probably more than you think), have a look at:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/how-much-can-you-store-in-your-google.html

While you’re at it, similar checks on your other online accounts would be a good idea. How long is it since you changed your passwords?
/ Google Drive complete quick security check your Google account additional 2GB free storage Drive account this isn’t temporary storage Dropbox OneDrive space that you’ll get to keep your free space login with your Google account just follow the steps checking important things recover your account connected devices services with permission to access your account 2-step verification settings checkup free space other services like Facebook services you’ve given authorization to cleanup keep you much more secure security Google deal Safer Internet Day safe, though services connected to your Google account disconnect checkup /

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Tim Cook posts a blurry picture – Twitter celebrates



Tim Cook’s image from the Super Bowl
Credit: Tim Cook/Twitter/The Verge

Some headlines weren't much better than the twitterers:

Tim Cook's blurry Super Bowl photo stuns world
http://www.cnet.com/news/tim-cooks-blurry-iphone-super-bowl-photo-stuns-world/

Tim Cook posts god-awful blurry photo from his iPhone at Superbowl
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Tim-Cook-posts-god-awful-blurry-photo-from-his-iPhone-at-Superbowl-gets-advised-to-use-a-Samsung-phone-for-a-better-pic_id78100

Here’s Tim Cook’s ringing endorsement for iPhone photography
http://thenextweb.com/shareables/2016/02/08/heres-tim-cooks-ringing-endorsement-for-iphone-photography/

etc.


What really happened:

● Tim Cook, Apple CEO, took a picture at the Super Bowl

● it had a lot of camera shake – i.e. operator error – nothing to do with whatever camera was used

● but he published it on Twitter anyway

● Twitter celebration, apparently based on the assumption that an iPhone was used

● some media followed suit with some absurd headlines, such as the “stunning” headline above

● other headlines were a bit more realistic

People are being super mean to Tim Cook about his blurry Super Bowl photo
http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/8/10934804/tim-cook-blurry-super-bowl-photo

● Tim Cook deleted his tweet

● tweeted a new photo



(shrug)

How to avoid blurry photos
http://iphonephotographyschool.com/blurry-photos/
/ Apple CEO Tim Cook iPhone 6 photo photography image blur blurry camera shake camera-shake camerashake focus out-of-focus low light available light blurry iPhone photo out of focus inappropriate focus most common reasons iPhone photos blurry focus is wrong important parts image blurry others are sharp everything blurry abundant light in the scene focus incorrectly set extreme foreground foreground are focus show detail more important human figures blurry out of focus iPhone users adjust focus works a lot of the time times when autofocus fails photo large uniform areas close far scene changes rapidly problems focus newer iPhones iPhone 5S smaller depth of field larger aperture focus more carefully Autofocus always set the focus yourself tap image in focus focus exposure really sharp background blurry image in focus tapping screen set the focus perfectly frame focus scene photo interesting subject refocusing moment was gone lock locked focus refocusing lock focus exposure AE/AF LOCK focus locked adjust focus exit focus lock tap the screen again always sharp camera shake light outdoors middle of a sunny day daylight day light shutter stays open less light scene indoors indoor iPhone steady photo blurred camera shake stationary objects foreground background blurry steady iPro telephoto lens take multiple photos camera shake random unpredictable low light photos sharper physically support your hands table railing support your entire body against the wall more steady supporting your elbows against your torso support hold your breath steady exhalation photos volume buttons shutter button dedicated cameras volume buttons on-screen shutter button volume buttons white Apple earbuds taking photos in low light Image Stabilization mode dedicated camera apps Camera+ Stabilizer gear icon shutter button select Stabilizer shaky use a tripod smaller tripods Glif+ headphone shutter shake iPhone pressing shutter motion blur movement subject low light focus blurry blur rapidly moving /

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

Formula E, season 2, round 4, Buenos Aires, Argentina


Highlights – 6 minutes


Complete results, including race & qualifying:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/buenos-aires-eprix.aspx

Driver standings:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/driver-standings.aspx

Team standings:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/team-standings.aspx
/ Formula E all electric racing series stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS ePrix /

Tesla Model 3 event, March 2016


Moved to:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/tesla-model-3-event-march-2016-may-show.html
/ Tesla Model 3 III Elon Musk mass market car LiIon lithium ion battery charge recharge Tesla Supercharger network plugin plug in plug-in 200 mile range 320 kilometre kilometer /