dual-sensor
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Apple awarded dual-sensor patent, could translate to better mobile photos
Today, Apple was awarded a patent for a dual-sensor imaging system that could find its way into new iterations of the iPhone, iPod or even MacBook sometime down the road. As AppleInsider reports, the patent, titled "Dual image sensor image processing system and method," details a system consisting of two separate image sensors which capture and then compare two different versions of a photo. The images are then scrubbed for flaws on a pixel-by-pixel basis. If an unacceptable level of corruption is found in an area of one of the sensor's images, it will be replaced by content captured by the second sensor. The patent notes that this technology would also apply to video capture. Of course, the patent goes into a great amount of detail regarding the logic behind the replacement of each corrupt pixel, but the bottom line is your photos will benefit from the redundancy of a dual-sensor system. Just how much of an improvement we would be able to expect has yet to be seen, of course. The patent notes that the system could be added to a number of Apple's product lines, showing the iPhone, MacBook and iMac in a number of diagrams. [Via AppleInsider]
Razer totes Hydra sticks and 6400dpi dual-sensor mice to E3 2011, we go hands-on
Razer's Sixense electromagnetic orb threw around plenty of intradimensional portals at CES, but sadly the company wouldn't let us play. Today at E3 2011, however, we were finally handed the reins. Those twin sticks are impressively responsive and accurate in the specially-made Sixense levels for Portal 2, and it's a heck of a lot of fun to physically stretch out blocks, reposition portals with a twist of the wrist and physically throw objects through the air. However, we got the impression that outside of games particularly designed to work with the sticks, it might be a different story. Waving the right stick around works pretty adequately for controlling the mouse cursor, but when we exited out to Windows, the sticks didn't work -- apparently, controls have to be mapped separately in a desktop client to work with the OS and other games or programs. We don't think many PC gamers will mind the six-foot range and wired tether here, but it does restrict those hoping to kick back with a game on the big screen. %Gallery-125856% We also got to try Razer's new "4G" dual-sensor technology, which will be rolling out to new Mamba and Imperator gaming mice right away -- it pairs a laser sensor and an optical sensor for more precision when lifting mice off a surface for advanced first-person shooter mousing techniques, not to mention 6400dpi tracking. We took it for a spin with a handy Razer Mamba, and we immediately fell in love -- whether we flung the mouse around haphazardly, furiously swiped it across the mousepad or simply tried for a quick headshot, it kept up with us. The cursor does creep if you lift and drop very rapidly, though, and without an original Mamba to compare with, it's hard to say just how much better it was. Thankfully, that won't be much of a factor in your purchasing decision: you'll pay the exact same $130 for the Mamba or $80 for the Imperator when they hit shelves this month. PR after the break. Update: Razer points out that you can in fact use the controller in Windows, enabling mouse movement and toggling the cursor with button 4, and left and right clicking with the right trigger and button 1.
