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Swivl motion-tracking dock now shipping to early adopters, future YouTube stars
Good news are in for folks who swiftly snagged one of those motion-tracking docks we showed you a while back, as they are now being prepped for shipping. After many months of teasing, it looks like the Satarii Star Swivl is finally getting ready to leave its prototype days behind. Those who unleashed the hefty $179 on the add-on can expect it to be on its way as soon as today. As for the ones who missed out on the first batch, you'll have to get in line and sign up via the company's site to know when more pop up. Also available now is a companion iOS app, which can be used to remotely trigger the camera for some self-recording action. We know you've waited long enough to take the Swivl for a spin, but in the meantime you can remind yourself why you bought in by peeking at the flaunting press shots below.
Swivl intros companion iPhone app, we make sweet video with it
Sure, when we first encountered the device formerly known as Satarii Star it may have been a pipe dream in dire need of funding (and frankly a better name), but after playing with the company's latest Swivl prototype we can confirm it's very much real and honestly, pretty darn cool. For those unaware, the $159 "dock" of sorts, rotates whatever you stuff into it a full 360-degrees all while chasing a portable marker. New today, is an accompanying iPhone app that can remotely trigger recording from the marker all while including other niceties like the ability to lock focus during capture. So how did we get along with our limited time with the startup's latest prototype? Hop on past the break to find out. %Gallery-142160%%Gallery-142167%
Satarii Star movement-tracking camera dock finalized as Swivl, now available for reserve (update: video)
If you'll recall, back in January we took notice of an interesting gizmo dubbed Satarii Star -- a movement-tracking dock concept that was seeking funding on IndieGoGo. Well, the unit has since been funded and today the company is re-introducing it as the Swivl. Aside from the updated moniker, it's also sporting an updated feature set and a revamped look. The unit can still house gadgets from iPhones and Androids to pocket camcorders, but improves on the Satarii by adding vertical tilt functionality on top of its 180 degrees of horizontal movement. (Update: We're told that the Swivl can also rotate a full 360 degrees.) Notably, it's stated as being able to "move faster than you can" -- if you're worried about staying in the shot, that is. As it currently stands, we're only seeing renders of this little guy, but the company expects to have fully functional units at CES this January, with units shipping to North America in "early 2012" for about $160. Hopefully we'll get to see the Swivl do its thing on the show floor, but for now, interested parties can reserve their very own at the source link below. You'll find the full press release just past the break. Update: You'll find a video of a pre-production Swivl in action after the break as well. %Gallery-138884%
Satarii Star camera base follows your every move, might exist if the money's raised
Looking a bit like a universal Sony Party-shot, the Satarii Star is up on fundraising site IndieGoGo right now with a simple goal: finding enough people who are willing to pay for an action-tracking base for their camera to get the thing produced. The concept is simple enough -- use the included iPhone and standard tripod mounts to insert the camera of your choice, grab the remote sensor and attach it to the object, animal, or human you want to track, and let 'er rip -- as long as you stay within 8 meters (roughly 26 feet), the base station with camera attached will rotate up to 180 degrees to keep the action in the frame. As of this writing they're about halfway to their goal to $20 grand -- and they've already slapped together a functional prototype, so you know you're not funding pure vaporware. Follow the break for a demo, and while you're at it, go ahead and tell off all your friends -- you won't need 'em to hold your camera while you film magic tricks for YouTube anymore. Score!
