CameraApp
Latest
Razer gives its phone a major camera update
When the Razer Phone was first announced, we didn't know what to expect. Sure, the company had Nextbit, but a handset just "for gamers?" The whole thing smelled like a gimmick. Turns out, we needn't have worried. The Razer Phone is a solid flagship with a 5.7-inch, quad HD display (and a rare 120Hz refresh rate), a huge battery and loud front-facing speakers. The only problem? The camera is pretty average. Thankfully, Razer has heard fan complaints and pushed out a sizeable software update. Exactly what it's changed is a mystery, but the result should be "improved picture quality" with less noise, punchier colors and clearer shadows.
Microsoft released a new selfie app for iOS because YOLO
Microsoft has done an excellent job of putting its apps and services where users are lately. Since Satya Nadella took over at CEO in early 2014, the company has released great (and free) Office apps for iOS and Android, leveraged its purchase of Accompli to turn Outlook into probably the best mobile email app out there and even released Cortana to other platforms. Now, the company is turning to a far more crucial service that every smartphone user will surely appreciate -- making your selfies better.
VSCO Cam for Android taps into its Grid for endless inspiration
Popular mobile photo-editing app VSCO Cam made its way to Android back in December, and now the preset-driven option has reached version 3.0. On top of adding the free VSCO Grid image showcase that's already included in the iOS version, you can now search and follow fellow photogs posting images there. What's more, updated sharing options make it easy to share what you find in that library and tweaked privacy tools allow you to nix location settings to keep your locale private. And of course, there's the usual UI and performance tweaks in this latest Visual Supply Co. release that's now available for download via Google Play.
Nokia's all-in-one Camera app expands to entire Lumia range with new beta
Devices with the PureView tag attached have not only the best shooters in Nokia's Lumia range, but also exclusive access to the relatively new Nokia Camera app. Today, though, that latter privilege is being extended to all Lumias with the launch of the Nokia Camera beta program. Any Windows Phone 8 handset that's been updated to Amber or above can now use the software -- an amalgam of, and successor to Nokia's Pro and Smart camera apps. As it's not quite ready for a full store debut, you'll need to sign up with Nokia Beta Labs at the source if you want early, and perhaps buggy access.
PureShot is a full featured iOS camera app
PureShot, a US$1.99 universal app, takes a very shooting-oriented approach to photography on iOS. You don't process your images here, or add filters. Instead, you just use the tools provided to take the very best picture you can, then process it on your iOS device, or get it onto your Mac or PC and use a dedicated image editor. I like that approach, because most do-it-all apps aren't strong in every feature. PureShot is dedicated to taking good pictures, and I think it succeeds at that goal. The app features 2 quality levels for JPEG images, and even something called dRAW TIFF output, which is a TIFF file with no processing by the app or JPEG compression applied. There is spot metering and tap-to-focus, as well as focus and exposure locks. The app supports three-shot burst shooting, and three-shot bracketed exposures. The screen is loaded with information, including the current position provided by your iOS GPS chip, but you can clean up the screen with a tap of a button. There is even a one-second exposure option, which provides good results in dark places if you can hold the iPhone steady or get it on a tripod using something like the Glif. Aspect ratio can be selected, but 4 x 3 gives you the full resolution of the iPhone's imaging chip. %Gallery-189379% In use, PureShot was generally intuitive and responsive without perceptible lag. There is extensive help built into the app, so anything that isn't clear should be easy to locate. The one-second exposure mode worked really well, letting me get some photos with the iPhone that I would not have been able to take otherwise. I think PureShot gets about as much out of my iPhone camera as an app can get. It's easily more feature rich than the popular Camera +, but that app includes editing features. If you plan to do some serious photography over the holiday weekend, PureShot is worth a purchase. It is not a do-it-all app, but it excels at getting good pictures, and it far outperforms the built-in Apple camera functions. PureShot is a universal app, and is optimized for the iPhone 5. It requires iOS 5.1 or greater.
Autodesk releases Socialcam 5.0 with HDR video, color correction
Autodesk's been trying to bring its special effects expertise to bear on various handheld apps, and now its turning to cameras with its first release of Socialcam (version 5), since it bought the app last July. With the release, it's bringing updated visual effects, 720P resolution, HDR video with one-click mapping, color correction and a new logo to the to the app's estimated 20 million users. You'll be able to grab it gratis for iOS at the App Store today, or on Play for Android at an unspecified date next week. We're not sure if future releases will include the ability to add creatures to your vacation snaps, but we can always dream. There's more info in the PR after the break, or hit the source to grab it.
BlackBerry 10 camera app flaunts filters, transformation tools (video)
What's better than a non-functional prototype? One that actually works, of course. The Gadget Masters have apparently been spending time with a pre-production version of RIM's upcoming Z10 smartphone, and plundered its camera app in the process. The ensuing video (after the break) didn't reveal any new features, but carries the novelty of actually manipulating an image with the app's tools. After snapping a picture of the carpet (daring!), our host leads us through a few filters, mentioning the app's ability to crop and transform images. It's not groundbreaking, but it's good to see a fully functional version of the app. After all, Thorsten Heins' big event is just around the corner.
Kindle Fire HD 7.2.2 update adds Camera app, Swype along with FreeTime Unlimited
Liked the sound of Kindle FreeTime Unlimited? Well it turns out that's not the only new goodie on the way. Software update 7.2.2 for the seven-inch Kindle Fire HD also brings a few other bonuses. First up, is a Camera app, to let you take mug-shots with that front-facing shooter, while the keyboard gets a boost with added Swype functionality. The update should come over the air automatically, but if that's not the case -- or, like us, you're not the patient type -- then you can manually initiate a software sync. More details on that can be found in the source.
Sony announces PlayMemories camera apps, will arrive on the NEX-5R first
On top of the NEX-5R announcement, Sony has unveiled new camera apps that will grace the rear screen of the aforementioned WiFi-enabled shooter first when it arrives in October. PlayMemories will feature downloadable software that can be installed on your Sony kit after purchase, offering new functionality for the device. The set of applications will feature the following options at launch: Picture Effect+, Bracket Pro, Multi Frame NR, Smart Remote Control and Direct Upload. The outfit plans add Photo Retouch alongside the Time-lapse and Cinematic Photo apps mentioned in today's presser sometime after the initial offerings roll out. When paired with PlayMemories Online, Mobile or Studio, you can view and transfer captured photos and videos on compatible TVs, smartphones, tablets and PS3 consoles. If more information is what you're after, consult the PR below to gather some more details.
HTC One X gets Android 4.0.4 update today: enhances camera app, adds menu functionality to multitasking button
If you thought the One X's capacitive button layout jarred with the Ice Cream Sandwich experience you saw on the Galaxy Nexus, you'll like what HTC's just told us. An update to version 4.0.4, launching today, will allow users to map menu functionality to the lower right 'recent app' key, while it will also treat its owners to white balance and continuous autofocus improvements within its well-received camera app. Expect a handful of stability improvements as well as a dedicated tab switcher for the built-in browser -- if you haven't already made the leap to Chrome. According to HTC, the update for the international iteration rolls out today, with the AT&T version already doing the rounds. The full statement's included below. Let us know how you get on.
Photography for the blind, courtesy of the iOS Camera app
Most of us in the sighted world never need to use the amazing accessibility features that are built into iOS, but blogger and developer Stephen van Egmond recently found that these features go well beyond what is expected by even allowing the blind to take pictures with the Camera app. Van Egmond was talking to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) iDevice User Group about using Pocket Rocket -- a useful Toronto public transit app from van Egmond's company Tiny Planet Software that fully supports the iOS VoiceOver capability -- when he "simply gawped when one blind woman pulled out an iPhone then snapped a perfect shot, guided by the built-in Camera app." He notes that all of Apple's iOS applications, including Calendar, Mail, Messages, iPhoto, Maps, and Camera, are completely usable by blind people through the standard UIAccessibility framework. However, most developers do a poor job of implementing even the most simple facets of VoiceOver in their apps. Van Egmond talks about what happens when you launch Camera with VoiceOver enabled. His annotated screenshot, seen above, shows what VoiceOver does to make it possible to take perfectly composed photos of other people when you're blind. The last paragraph of van Egmond's blog post is worth quoting: You might end up asking yourself why Apple went to such effort to let a blind person take a picture. The only answer I can give is they not only care about making accessible applications: they also actually put in the effort. [via @mpanzarino and Daring Fireball]
Does BlackBerry 10's camera app get by with a little help from Scalado Rewind? (Update: Yes)
Impressed by the new camera tech on display in BB10? You're not alone. But did the folks at RIM have some help with the new "timeline lens" feature? Well, grab your salt shaker. If you recall, software that allows you to change the faces of those pictured via additional pre- and post-shot frames popped up in Scalado's Rewind last year. The ring UI that allows the user to navigate the extra frames from its border is quite similar to the functionality of BB10's editing feature. We've reached out to Scalado for further details on the matter and we're eager to hear its response. But until that happens, hit the video just past the break for a closer look at Rewind in action. Update: Our pals over at TechCrunch posted an official statement from RIM's Senior Manager of Public Relations Patti McKague on the matter. Our instincts were correct, as the two companies have been in cahoots over the BB10 camera app. Here's the full quote on the licensed tech: RIM has been working with Scalado on camera technology and has licensed some of the Scalado technology for the BlackBerry 10 platform. As shown during the BlackBerry World Keynote, RIM is planning a unique implementation of the technology on BlackBerry 10 to provide an incredible user experience, allowing for more customization by the user and enabling them to easily capture and share their perfect moments.
