Add a better camera to your phone

DxO ONE attached to an iPhone
Credit: Shutterbug

Best camera for the photograph you wish to take? – the one you have with you. For most people, most of the time, that means a phone camera. It comes as no surprise to anyone that more photographs are taken with phone cameras than any other type of camera.

Fundamental to a phone camera, as with the phone which contains it, is small size. Thus (with few exceptions), sensor & lens are tiny, & optical zoom is not available. The few exceptions are in thick, heavy phones which have enjoyed few sales.

Sony was first to conceive of a solution, in the form of its QX series "smart lenses". These “lenses” are actually complete cameras, less viewfinder, which can clip to almost any smartphone. With the phone screen providing viewfinder capability, an app, & Wifi connection, the combination provides at least point-&-shoot capability. Inherent in the WiFi connection, is the option of remote operation.

Recently, 2 more add on cameras have appeared to expand the photographic capability of smartphones. Like the Sony smart lenses, the DxO ONE & Olympus AIR attach to a smartphone, use the phone screen as a viewfinder, & control interface. Beyond that they are very different.

DxO ONE – “the World's First Truly Connected Camera”

•  major design parameters: small size & image quality

•  20.1 megapixel, 1” (12.8 x 9.6 mm)¹ type sensor

•  32mm², F1.8 lens, i.e. no zoom

•  plugs into an iOS device via the Lightning socket for both data & mechanical connection

•  no remote operation capability

http://www.shutterbug.com/content/new-20mp-dxo-one-imaging-device-promises-dslr-quality-images-your-iphone-hands-preview#fmq5WsdUik14B8T1.97

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/5778413776/dxo-one-the-world-s-first-truly-connected-camera

http://www.dxo.com/us/dxo-one

Olympus AIR


Olympus AIR attached to phone
Credit: notey.com


Phone & Olympus AIR attached to 1,200mm telephoto¹ lens
Credit: Photo Rumours

•  16 megapixel, 4/3 format (17.3mm x 13.0mm)¹ sensor

•  28-84mm² zoom lens included but accepts other Olympus lenses

•  data connection via WiFi & Bluetooth to any Android or iOS device

•  clamp allows physical connection to almost any smartphone

•  remote operation capability

•  open architecture – SDK (Software Developer's Kit) & physical design files available

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/olympus-air-a01/olympus-air-a01A.HTM

http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/compact-cameras/olympus-air-a01-1298009/review
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¹ "Image sensor format", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_sensor_format#Table_of_sensor_formats_and_sizes

² full frame (35mm film) equivalent / zoom telephoto lens interchangeable lens fixed lens larger sensor /

Patent wars – finally at an end?

iPhone prototype
Credit: Apple/BGR

After a court battle that lasted nearly five years, Samsung has agreed to pay Apple $548 million in damages for infringing a number of iPhone & iPad patents. Durng those 5 years, we’ve seen such things as:

•      Google complaining that, “We didn’t believe rounded corners were patentable.”

 •     a judge pleading for “global peace”

 •     Apple claiming $2.5bn from Samsung, while Samsung counter-claimed $420 million

And we’ve also seen many intriguing revelations from the otherwise obsessively-secretive Apple, including:


iPhone prototype with curved glass on both sides was too expensive for production
Credit: Apple/BGR

More:
https://bgr.com/2015/12/07/apple-secrets-iphone-ipad-samsung-lawsuit/ / contentious patent battle raged on nearly five years Samsung last week finally agreed to pay Apple $548 million damages infringing iPhone iPad patents Samsung holding out hope someday recover those millions finally start closing the book most widely publicized patent dispute recent memory Apple Samsung battle it out courtrooms across the globe Apple legal battle with Samsung unprecedented look behind veil of secrecy typically shrouds all aspects Apple’s product development day-to-day operations over the course of discovery innumerable court filings fascinating trial inner workings of Apple first time in history photographs of iPhone prototypes Apple conducts market research Apple legal battles Samsung tech enthusiasts treasure trove previously top-secret information Samsung agreeing pony up for damages interesting nuggets information hard-fought patent dispute crazy iPhone Prototypes most intriguing items Apple and Samsung’s trial iPhone prototypes interesting designs iPhone prototype with 8 sides interesting bizarre designs Apple black and white design earliest known iPhone prototypes circular dots indication of signal strength vertical bars Apple implement the five circular dots shipping iPhone Jony Ive full control look and feel of iOS extremely early iPhone prototype icons copies OS X counterparts another point of interest home button menu label on it bulky iPhone prototype inspired iPhone 4 design how iPhone project started trial Apple executives incredibly detailed information early days of iPhone development more interesting tidbits to emerge early beginnings and software Control of the iPhone team Scott Forstall Steve Jobs Forstall free rein hire anyone any division within the company team Forstall couldn’t even tell them what they’d be working on work hard give up nights work weekends for years you will work harder than you ever have in your entire life initial development iPhone Project Purple dorm dormatory smelled like pizza security was air-tight video cameras card readers show their badges five or six times access key development areas original iPhone team Fight Club poster first rule of Project Purple don’t talk about Project Purple double-tap to zoom constantly enacting pinch-to-zoom software aside industrial design team sleek hardware testifying at trial long time Apple industrial designer Christopher Stringer hardware and industrial design Apple’s industrial design group iPhone development 16 maniacal individuals imagine products that don’t exist and guide them to life Apple’s industrial design group collaborates closely often exchange sketches ideas for current upcoming products feedback suggested designs iterative process is extensive single design element 50 proposed mockups Apple’s industrial design group designers extensive feedback how various designs durability during drop-testing early iPad prototypes featured kickstand Microsoft Surface kickstand Apple earliest iPad prototypes kickstand original iPhone curved during trial first iPhone release device featuring two curved pieces of glass technology cut glass Apple’s specifications too expensive scale prototypes curved device built Apple idea of a car years ago on the stand Apple executive Phil Schiller brainstorming product ideas build success of the iPod searching for what to do after iPod make the iPod some of the ideas tossed around dedicated camera car former Apple executive Tony Fadell Jobs back in 2008 talked about Apple Car might look like Apple keeps its iOS source code locked down Apple Samsung’s 2012 trial Henri Lamiraux key VP of iOS engineering keep portions of Apple’s iOS source code sealed Apple source code provided highest level of protection security physical access iOS source code limited select groups authorized Apple employees access being provided only to portions of code need-to-know basis access limited employees directly involved software development approved management authorized employees accounts specifically granted access Apple hated Samsung The next big thing is already here ad campaign
Samsung well-done ads lampooning stereotypical Apple fan private emails made public at trial Apple’s Phil Schiller hated Apple had no adequate response Samsung’s jabs suggest to Tim Cook company needed hire brand new ad agency most iPhone buyers use cases Apple survey /

Wired outs likely Bitcoin creator – AFP raid

Credit: redef.com

On Tuesday, 08 December 2015, Wired outed unknown Australian genius, Craig Steven Wright, as the likely creator of Bitcoin.

http://www.wired.com/2015/12/bitcoins-creator-satoshi-nakamoto-is-probably-this-unknown-australian-genius/?mbid=nl_12815

To have made money mining Bitcoins it was necessary to start early. Don’t expect to make money by starting now. Obviously, the creator of Bitcoin was the earliest miner. As such, that publicity averse creator is reputed to be the holder of one million Bitcoins, worth around $400 million.

So yesterday (Wednesday 09 December), more than a dozen Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers raided the Sydney home of Craig Steven Wright, at the behest of the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

If the AFP response to the Wired post, at around 24 hours, seems fast, remember that due to daylight saving, at the moment, Sydney, Australia is 16 hours ahead of New York. So the response time is closer to 8 hours than 24. All of which suggests that Craig Steven Wright has been on the ATO radar for some time.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2015/12/09/australian-police-raid-sydney-home-reported-bitcoin-creator / Australian Federal Police AFP raided Sydney home named by Wired magazine probable creator cryptocurrency bitcoin Reuters witness property registered Australian electoral role roll Craig Steven Wright Wired outed likely real identity Satoshi Nakamoto alias pseudonym pseudonymous released bitcoin code 2009 more dozen Australian Federal Police Officers entered house Sydney north shore Wednesday locksmiths broke open door one officer told Reuters reporter clearing the house Australian Federal Police statement officers Mr. Wright's property media reporting Bitcoins AFP referred all inquiries raid Australian Tax Office police raid Australia hours Wired magazine technology website Gizmodo published articles investigations showed Wright Australian academic probably secretive bitcoin creator investigations based on leaked emails documents Web archives transcript meeting Wright Australian Tax Office identity Satoshi Nakamoto mystery journalists bitcoin enthusiasts tried unravel author paper protocol software gave rise cryptocurrency New York Times Newsweek publications guessed Nakamoto real identity conclusive uncovering identity significant solving long-standing riddle future of the currency early miner bitcoins Nakamoto one 1 million bitcoins worth more than $400 million present exchange rates bitcoin expert Sergio Demian Lerner Bitcoin’s Creator Satoshi Nakamoto unknown Australian genius /

Porsche EV plans confirmed

Credit: Porsche/Charged EVs

As reported previously in these pages, Porsche has plans to produce an electric vehicle. Details have firmed up a little, in the form of Mission E.

Announced specifications include:

four doors
600 hp (440 kW)
floor-mounted battery pack
range over 500 kilometers (310 miles)

Porsche has developed an 800-volt charger & has demonstrated a wireless charging system.

https://chargedevs.com/newswire/porsche-going-ahead-with-mission-e-ev/

http://www.gizmag.com/porsche-mission-e-production/40786/ / Mission E EV electrically powered Porsche German sports car sportscar manufacturer project called Mission E launching new EV Porsche expansion upgrades Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant expanding expand existing engine factory production of electric motors Mission E concept Frankfurt Motor Show four-door car four door car power output 600 hp 440 kW floor-mounted battery pack range over 500 kilometers Porsche 800-volt charger electric vehicle EV demonstrated demonstrate wireless charging system Mission E Dr. Wolfgang Porsche chairman Supervisory Board sports car electric mobility Chairman Executive Board Dr. Oliver Blume solely battery-powered sports cars Porsche sportiest technologically most sophisticated battery lithium ion LiIon charge recharge range /

Riding a motorcycle on water – video – update

Some videos you may have seen of motorcycles appearing to be ridden on water are actually passing through very shallow water, with the tyres rarely leaving the ground. When filmed from the side, there is no way to tell how shallow the water is.

In this video, the motorcycle has a planing surface fitted to provide lift at speed on the water, but it does not appear to have any flotation device. It also uses a paddle rear tyre to create thrust to drive the motorcycle over the surface.

Video is 43 minutes long.



Since posting this item, I recalled that the Mythbusters did something on riding a motorcycle on water. The video is much shorter, but as I recall, & the video appears to show, no hydrofoil used & the tires are conventional knobbies. Check at the 1:30 mark.



Formula Offroad in Iceland. Looks like paddle tyres in use.



Quad bike

/ motorcycle bike motorbike motor bike hydroplane knobby tyre hydroplane hydroplaning plane water dirt bike trail bike scrambler thrust drive lift vertical force weight back more speed ski angle plane planing surface foil hydrofoil shockwave speed velocity Snowdonia Lake force hydraulic lock /

Liquid cooling for Samsung Galaxy S7?

Credit: Fujitsu/Android Police

Liquid cooled phones are not a completely new idea, but the rumour mill is suggesting it for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S7.

Other rumours include:

•      Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip for improved performance – which may explain the liquid cooling references – its predecessor, the Snapdragon 810, had heat problems

•      unchanged 5.1in 2,560x1,440 Super AMOLED screen

•      major camera upgrade

•      microSD card slot – missing from the S6

•      even tougher display glass

•      Android Marshmallow

•      announcement at MWC (22-25 February 2016)

/ Samsung Galaxy S7 release date specifications specs price rumours same design Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 heat could cause problems round up roundup latest rumours Galaxy S7 released release early 2016 Samsung Galaxy S6 Galaxy S5 Samsung completely change materials revamped design more modern look feel upcoming Galaxy S7 very similar design more substantial changes under the hood improvements picture quality performance boost performance Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 820 chip internal heat pipe suppliers new handset apparent overheating problems Snapdragon 810 heat pipes heat dissipation launch dates yearly release schedules launch the Galaxy S7 S7 Edge CES show Las Vegas performance design newer stronger glass panel glass cover Turtle Glass Corning Gorilla Glass top-end smartphones magnesium-based alloy chassis better heat dissipation lighter phone durability aluminium build quality stronger type of glass display 5.1in 2,560x1,440 Super AMOLED screen next-generation galaxy 4K 3,840x2,160 resolution draw more power affect battery life photos and video press-sensitive displays Apple's 3D Touch panels Synaptics' ClearForce technology force-sensitive touch interface processor chipset /

When molten lava meets water

When water meets lava at over 2,050 degrees Farenheit (1,121 Celcius), the water flashes to steam with spectacular & potentially dangerous consequences. Scientists are investigating:



In nature, something similar happens. In Hawaii, lava from the Kilauea volcano reaches the Pacific Ocean after a seven mile (11 km) journey.

/ lava larva magma volcano lava reaches Pacific Ocean Kamokuna seven mile journey Pu'u O'o vent Kilauea Volcano geology geologist flash boil steam superheated steam explosion volcano volcanic nature Hawaii lava Kilauea volcano ocean geology geologist igneous rock basalt /