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HP's Z 3D camera brings Sprout 3D capture to any PC
HP's Sprout all-in-one PCs have always been intriguing: They're ideal 3D capture machines, thanks to their unique cameras. But they're also inconvenient if you already have a powerful computer and monitor of your own. That's where the new Z 3D camera comes in. HP basically ripped out the 3D capture feature from the Sprout Pro and turned it into a portable accessory that can be attached to almost any monitor (as long as it has a flat back). It'll let VR artists and other 3D creators easily capture real-world objects, without needing to invest in a specialized PC.
HP's 3D-scanning Sprout Pro PC is built for schools
HP originally pitched its 3D-scanning Sprout computer to creatives and hobbyists, but doesn't it seem like an ideal machine for curious classrooms? The company agrees, apparently. It's introducing the Sprout Pro, a version of the unique all-in-one for businesses and schools. It's brawnier (you get a 6th-generation Core i7 with improved graphics), but the big deal is the addition of software that makes it far more useful from groups. You can share the view from the scanner, the webcam or your screen, in case you want to show a project to the class -- you can even send 2D captures through Skype for Business. There are also tools that turn the downward-facing camera into a pro-grade document scanner and magnifier.
HP's 'blended reality' Sprout desktop just got better at 3D capture
Back when HP first introduced Sprout, an ambitious all-in-one desktop, the company came up with lots of reasons why you might want such an unusual PC -- one with an overheard projector/camera, and a touch mat that could act as a second screen. Among the various use cases -- gaming, visual projects, teleconferencing -- 3D modeling was one of the more obvious scenarios. Imagine: Just put an object in front of the depth-sensing camera, and boom, the computer creates a 360-degree, 3D model that you can view and manipulate onscreen. Unfortunately, the process was far from user-friendly and indeed, HP said at launch that it was working on an app that would make the workflow easier. Fast forward eight months, and the company is ready to show us some improvements. HP just unveiled the software, called 3D Capture, as well as an optional $299 "stage" accessory that should make 360-degree capture easier in the first place.
HP's 3D-scanning 'Sprout' PC is unlike anything the company has made
The best way to describe Sprout, an ambitious new desktop from HP, is that it's unlike any PC the company has ever made. The second-best way: It's an all-in-one computer with a touch mat that acts as a second screen, and an overhead projector/camera that can scan 3D images. It starts at $1,899, and ships next month. In short, it's a workspace that attempts to blend the digital and physical worlds, and it was built specifically for people doing creative things. That includes advertisers and designers and other professionals, but HP's also hoping that a certain kind of consumer will appreciate this. Photo enthusiasts, perhaps, or maybe makers. Basically, if you do things with your hands, you might have a use for Sprout.
HP reveals Sprout: The strange 3D-scanning, multi-display all-in-one PC
We've seen some strange devices here at Engadget, but honestly, we've never seen anything quite like Sprout. It's a unique machine that combines an all-in-one Windows 8 PC with a set of 3D scanning cameras, a giant tactile touchpad and a downward-facing projector (for displaying graphics on said touchpad). The design is built around a concept HP is calling "blended reality" that blends the 3D physical world with our 2D digital one. The obvious target audience is creative types. You know: makers, tinkerers, designers, etc... Rather than the traditional method of control built around mice and keyboards, Sprout focuses on touch and pen input. The 23-inch LCD serves as the primary display, but it's the bottom display, the 20-inch capacitive pad positioned under the camera and projector that serves as the primary point of interaction.
HP to show off its 3D-scanning 'Sprout' PC next week
HP is synonymous with mass-market PCs and notebooks, but according to a report from Re/code, HP is trying it proverbial hand at something new. According to the usual slew of unnamed sources, the company (which is currently undergoing some business mitosis) will show off a novel new Windows PC called the Sprout at an event in New York next week. We're not using the word "novel" lightly here, either: the Sprout is comprised of a big flat screen display paired with an expansive surface for touch input and a combination projector/3D scanner that hangs above it.
Inside the Nike+ Accelerator: Fueling the quantified-self movement
Imagine setting aside three months of your life to pursue a dream. As romantic as the idea may seem, it requires a gut check somewhere along the way. Recently, a handful of entrepreneurs said goodbye to their families and loved ones, and in some cases, flew across the globe for an opportunity to do just that. Some put their budding companies on hold, while others came only with an unwavering belief in their idea. In all, 10 companies converged on the Nike+ Accelerator in Portland, Ore., this past March, each united with the goal of building products that integrate with Nike's line of fitness trackers. It's hard to underestimate the sacrifice, or the opportunity. With less than three weeks to relocate, many had to act quickly. But with a vote of confidence from Nike and its accelerator partner, TechStars, support from a vast network of mentors and industry contacts -- and just as importantly, early access to the Nike+ API -- it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get a head start over the competition in the burgeoning wearables industry. From the moment these entrepreneurs touched ground at PDX, the clock was already running. In just 12 weeks, they'd pitch their products to potential investors at Demo Day -- first in Portland on June 10th, and again in San Francisco on the 20th. It's a lot to accomplish in three months, and certainly unfamiliar territory for Nike as well. But even amidst the breakneck speed, one must hit the pause button and ponder Nike's motivation behind the accelerator. Ten companies were certainly given an upper hand, but can the same be said for Nike itself?
