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Action cameras: an extreme point of view
Not everyone wants to be in the driver's seat when it comes to experiencing extreme action -- in fact, most people prefer to do it remotely. But with today's ultra-small wearable cameras and high-def resolutions, the less outdoorsy among us can experience a bit of the rush without any of the broken limbs. The action camera tech we now use is the product of decades of experimentation by fearless filmmakers and adrenaline junkies alike. Join us in the gallery below as we explore the emergence of the action camera from its clunky early days to today's go-anywhere POV devices.
Consumers are out, business is in: Looxcie to focus on Vidcie enterprise solutions
Parting is such sweet sorrow. Shed a tear for Looxcie's consumer aspirations, y'all, because the company has decided that the enterprise is now where it's at. After launching its Vidcie business-focused POV camera system at CES, it seems that Looxcie views the b2b brand as its ticket to profitability. Of course, the company will still sell its consumer products, and you folks who bought a Looxcie 3 or HD won't be left out in the cold, as Looxcie will still support those products and honor their warranties. The shift to focus on the enterprise isn't terribly surprising, given the ample and established competition in the wearable camera market. Still, we shall miss Looxcie's lipstick cams gracing our pages, won't you? (Probably not.)
Looxcie 3 gets a new, square design so you can stream video from your kid's chest
Action cams typically go hand-in-hand with the dudebros risking life and limb for adrenaline, and are named to match. Looxcie's target demo's a bit different. Beyond embracing the pun (and creative spelling) at its utmost, the company's new Looxcie 3 aims to get even more wearable with a squarish design that weighs just 1.3 ounces. And if the Looxcie 3's promo shots are any indication, the company's hoping you'll strap this video streamer to your kid's chest and share that whimsy over WiFi (in 480p) live to Facebook. Or record and edit captured 720p video and stills from your smartphone (Android and iOS are both supported). The $100 compact cam supports microSD expansion up to 64GB so you should have plenty of space to keep the cherished memories (or banal moments) stored. You can order the Looxcie 3 now at the link below, but just FYI, the kid leashes are sold separately.
Looxcie POV wireless cameras coming to Apple stores in Europe
Looxcie, maker of their self-titled Looxcie POV WiFi cameras, has announced a deal that will put its products in Apple stores across Europe come January 23rd. The new US$329 Looxcie HD Explore is a wearable camera that allows you to live stream whatever is right in front of your eyes. The camera wirelessly transmits what it sees to your iPhone or iPad, which then uses a Looxcie app to broadcast your video to the world. Getting a product into brick-and-mortar Apple Stores is a huge boost for manufacturers. While the Looxcie will be available across Europe later this month, there's no word on whether it is coming to US Apple stores. Looxcie also announced an enterprise solution called the Vidcie. The Vidcie line of wireless cameras will be aimed at security and risk management agencies and feature a more rugged design and longer battery life.
Looxcie launches Vidcie b2b collaboration platform and Vidcie Tough rugged POV camera
Makers of POV cameras, Looxcie, has just launched a new business to business focused line called Vidcie. The announcement comprises a new real-time collaboration platform that allows enterprise customers to collaborate and share what they are seeing / working on in real time. The Vidcie line also incorporates a new weatherproof cam -- ideal for those workers out in the field -- called the Vidcie Tough. The rugged cam pairs with smartphones and tablets and will come with a bunch of different mounts and accessories. Existing Looxcie cameras will also play nice with the new collaboration platform, so if you already have some hardware you won't need to reinvest. Details on price and availability to follow. The camera maker also took the opportunity to announce that its Looxie HD line will be available in Europe via Apple retails stores and online starting January 23rd. Jump on the PRs after the break for more. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Looxcie HD brings 1080p and WiFi streaming to a helmet near you
Looxcie isn't just a luxurious sounding word (and terrible pun), it's also a maker of life-casting head-mounted cameras. Up until now, it would only let you capture your life in a rather pedestrian 480p, but the new Looxcie HD does away with that, letting you grab that bike ride in full glorious high-definition. Other additions include WiFi (previous iterations relied on Bluetooth) to hook up to your Android or iOS device with, a larger 1,200 mAh battery and improved low light performance. Owners of previous models might spot that with new features comes a new, larger form. The price of evolution it seems. The price for the device, on the other hand, is $279, or $329 if you opt for the "Explore" bundle, which incidentally you can pre-order now. Peep at the source for more.
Looxcie 2 wearable camcorder slims down, adds some accessories
The original Looxcie may not have quite made wearable camcorders as ubiquitous as Blueooth headsets, but the company's not giving on that dream, and it's now back with its all new Looxcie 2. As you can see above, things have slimmed down considerably this time around -- the new Looxcie is about half the size and 20 percent lighter than the original -- but the camera still packs all the same "lifecasting" capabilities you'd expect, including support for Looxcie's iOS and Android companion apps. You'll also get the same Bluetooth hands-free support as before, plus 480p video recording, a promised four hours of battery life, and support for some new accessories that will let you attach the camera to a cap or helmet. Look for this one to set you back $179 for the basic five-hour model, or $199 if you want enough space for ten hours of video.
Looxcie introduces LooxcieLive, enables mobile-to-mobile stream viewing
Vlogging and lifecasting are both things we haven't really gotten into in this new-age of gadget crazed aliens and humans, but the LooxcieCam is a gadget -- and you know us, we kinda-maybe-sorta really love gadgets. Here at the Consumer Electronics Show, Looxcie ousted its new streaming service which it has dubbed LooxcieLive. In addition to the Bluetooth video connectivity to your smartphone, the service allows you to beam the vidcast across mobile networks and WiFi to any other dude or dudette on your contacts list that's got the app installed. Those looking to get started right away will be disappointed -- the service is currently unavailable, but will be live within the first half of 2011. Aside from the newly announced software, we got a chance to play with the LooxcieCam. The headset we looked at was paired (via Bluetooth) to a Droid X using the LooxcieMoments app, and the streaming quality was something we hope to see an improvement on. The unit, stuffed with 4GB of recording memory, can record one hour of VGA quality (and 4 hours of sub-VGA quality). The app is both available in the Market and App Store, and minimum requirements to run it are 2.0 on Android and 4.2 on iOS. Interested in seeing the headset in action? Head past the break and click play. %Gallery-112991%
Looxcie outs iOS-compatible lifecasting camera, early adopters get the boot
Thinking of grabbing Looxcie's remarkable Bluetooth-based Borg-cam as a $200 stocking stuffer this year? Hold on a twirl, and make sure you're paying for the one that actually plays nice with your mark's favorite smartphone. You see, the company had to make a hardware modification this week to the original Looxcie to make it compatible with iOS devices, and while that's complete now, you'll want to buy the new Looxcie LX1 if your giftee owns an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Otherwise, you'll be buying a device that's Android-exclusive for the very same price. Got an Android phone to begin with? We expect the seething anger of Looxcie early adopters will soon afford you some deep discounts on the now-inferior original. PR after the break.
Switched On: A Looxcie into lifecasting's future
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Remember those early wireless headsets, the ones that made people look like they had been assimilated by The Borg? Few would seek to return to those days for the benefit of bridging a handset and one's ears. But what if one could also bridge a handset and one's eyes? That's essentially the promise of Looxcie, a Bluetoooth headset that integrates a video camera to enable passive video capture. Looxcie's creators note that using the device requires less encumbrance than even a Flip camcorder. Still, there's no getting around it -- the Looxcie is no spy gadget. Accepting the state of the technology for what it is, the designers chose to embrace its size rather than try to minimize it. The protuberance that houses the boom mike and lens of the product swells toward an end that includes a red recording light. The extension in a glossy white, perhaps an homage to massive telephoto zoom lenses like those from Canon.
Looxcie wearable camcorder will take your lifecasting to the next, boring level
Don't get us wrong, the Looxcie wearable video camera is pretty cool, and totally weird. It's an always on camera that stores up to five hours of video, and is capable of quickly emailing short clips to your various social networks which are anxiously awaiting those shots of you eating your Southwestern eggrolls at Chili's. Once your cam reaches its max storage capacity, it begins purging the oldest video and continues to record. Using Looxcie's app (available for about 10 Android phones) enables you to quickly share your videos with the world. The Looxcie wearable video camera is available now for $199 -- but please keep in mind: watching you watch Some Kind of Monster probably sounds better than it actually would be. [Thanks, Bob]