Lytro finally enables camera's WiFi chip, introduces iOS companion app as well
Though Lytro early adopters might not know it, every one of those little light field cameras actually has a WiFi chip embedded inside, lying dormant until the company decides to flip the switch. Well, that time has finally come in the form of a firmware update, and wouldn't you know it, it coincides nicely with the release of a new iOS app as well. Dubbed Lytro Mobile, the app connects with the device over WiFi (naturally), letting you view its contents on your favorite iOS device. Simply select the Camera feature in the app, and it'll prompt you to swipe the Lytro's menu drawer until you see the WiFi logo as shown in the picture above. Tap it, follow the on-screen instructions, and voilà, you're now able to upload your images directly to Lytro.com either over a cellular or WiFi connection, no USB plug required.
Like the Lytro desktop app, the mobile version lets you refocus a picture and change its center of perspective via Perspective Shift. You can also add captions and geotagging data, and share your living pictures via Facebook, Twitter, email or SMS. Along with letting you see what's on your camera itself, the app also gives you access to a mobile version of the Lytro website. You can check your profile, view the most popular and most recently uploaded pictures and "like" any photo that strikes your fancy. Interestingly, the app also lets you create an animated GIF out of a living picture -- simply select either "refocus" or "perspective shift" on any of your Lytro shots to have one of those two animations added to your camera roll (we've included an example GIF after the break). Last but not least, the Lytro Mobile app has a series of tips for Lytro owners to learn more about their camera. To learn more about the app, check out the screenshots, video and release after the break. Or you can just head to the App Store link to download it right now.
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Lytro Announces Availability of Lytro Mobile for iOS
New app lets people experience and share light field pictures on the go
Mountain View, Calif. – June 19, 2013 – Lytro, Inc., creator of the world's first consumer light field camera, today introduced Lytro Mobile. This new iOS app lets people use their iPhone, iPad and iPod touch device to experience and share light field pictures taken with Lytro cameras. The app communicates with Lytro cameras, whose wireless capabilities can be activated with a free software update, letting camera owners preview and upload pictures to Lytro.com directly from their iOS device while on the go, using either a cellular or Wi-Fi network. The Lytro Mobile app will be available internationally as a free download, starting today.
"Lytro Mobile makes it even easier to share light field pictures and lets people experience the benefits of light field technology with a device that never leaves their side," said Jason Rosenthal, CEO, Lytro. "As the first to bring light field photography to consumers, we believe there is vast potential to this technology, and Lytro Mobile is the next step in building this category."
Camera owners and non-camera owners alike can download the app to experience living pictures on their iOS device, including refocusing pictures and experiencing Perspective Shift, with no special software required.
"Mobile sharing of photos is universal and Lytro Mobile now offers the kind of desktop-free convenience people are accustomed to having," said Ren Ng, Founder, Lytro. "We have taken a complex technology and made it accessible through an app that is easy to use for both sharing and viewing light field pictures."
Lytro Mobile allows people to:
• Share a picture directly from an iPhone to Lytro.com, Facebook, Twitter or via email or SMS;
• View popular and recent living pictures that everyone has shared to Lytro.com;
• Save a living picture as an animated GIF to their iOS camera roll;
• Access a series of "Learn" tips, educational content that will expand over time.
