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Digital Photo - Scanners

The Smallest Wireless Scanner Yet?

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The Smallest Wireless Scanner Yet?

Switzerland-based Dacuda presents what it claims is the smallest wireless scanner in the world-- the PocketScan, a compact scanner able to, well, scan and transfer images to PCs and mobile devices.

The PocketScan measures 95 x 27 x 50mm, weights 85g and connects to devices via Bluetooth. It scans images at resolutions of 400dpi or higher, and features SLAM Scan technologies for what Dacuda say is "true what-you-see-is-what-you-get" scans.

To scan users simply need to move the scanner across an image or text of choice, with an RGB imager, 1600cpi laser sensor and a gyroscope taking care of scanning duties. Power comes from a rechargeable battery Dacuda claims lasts for up to 400 scans.

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The Animated Gif-Cranking Camera

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The Animated Gif-Cranking Camera

Digital photography is all well and good, but what if customers ask for an easy way to snap animated pictures? Next Thing suggests a solution with the Otto, an animated gif-taking camera.

Essentially a Raspberry Pi microcomputer and a lens inside a disposable camera-style case, the Otto features a rotating crank next to the regular shutter button. Capturing an animated picture simply involves rewinding the crank by one turn, before an app syncs the recording as an animated gif on smartphones.

As well as file transfer the app provides control of just about every camera feature, from image filters and overlays to what actually happens when one presses the shutter button or turns the crank. According to Next Thing the Otto can also provide time lapse photography or act as an impromptu photo booth.

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360-Degree Video, Via Donut Camera

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360-Degree Video, Via Donut Camera

A group of ex-Apple engineers launch a means for customers to shoot 4K resolution panoramic video-- the Centr, a donut-shaped device small enough to fit in the palm of one's hand.

Based on the team's earlier work in military and broadcast cameras, the Centre promises eliminate all the work panoramic video requires, namely the dealing with multiple SD cards and image alignment. It shoots using four independent HD image sensors, while built-in calibration ensures seamless real-time panoramic images. Once filming is done users can view video on PCs or mobile devices via interactive player.

It also carries 8GB storage (expandable via SD card), 3 microphones, USB 3.0 connector, wifi and Bluetooth connectivity.

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Another Call-Making Samsung Camera

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Another Call-Making Samsung Camera

Samsung follows the Galaxy S 4 Zoom by grafting improved camera optics on a better smartphone-- resulting in the Galaxy K Zoom, essentially a Galaxy S5 variant with a 20.7MP sensor and 10x optical zoom.

The K Zoom carries a 4.8-inch 1280x720 resolution display, runs on Android 4.4 and features camera-focused software such as a "selfie alarm" and a Pro Suggest mode for optimised photo filters.

Oddly enough it is powered by two processors (one quad-core 1.3GHz, the other dual-core 1.7GHz) together with 2GB RAM and 8GB built-in storage. It also includes all familiar Samsung software additions, such as the S-Health suite.

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Lytro Camera Goes DSLR-Style

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Lytro Camera Goes DSLR-Style

"Light field camera" maker Lytro releases a high-end version of the point-and-shoot camera sharing its name-- the Illum, a DSLR-style offering complete with oversized optics, larger sensor and faster CPU.

For readers not in the know, light field photography allows users to shoot first and focus later. Essentially a lens array and sensor combo captures the colour, intensity and vector direction of light rays, and special software uses that data to create 3D images with adjustable depth of field.

Unlike the first, rectangular Lytro the Illum features a design more akin to traditional DSLR cameras. It carries an 8X (30-250mm) zoom lens and has a constant f/2.0 aperture, 1/4000 shutter, 4-inch touchscreen and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU.

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Samsung's Ultimate Selfie Camera

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Samsung's Ultimate Selfie Camera

Your more self-absorbed customers might have an easier way of taking self portraits with the Samsung NX mini, a camera with a flip-up 3-inch display and hands-free "wink shot" mode for the perfect selfie.

Once it detects a wink the camera shoots automatically after 2 seconds. The feature even handles multiple persons in-shot for "wefies," as well as a bevy of social connectivity options via wifi and NFC. Clever!

As well as selfie-taking capability Samsung says claims the NX mini is the slimmest and lightest interchangeable-lens camera around, being 22.5mm fat and 158g heavy. The metal body carries a 1-inch 20.5MP BSI CMOS sensor, with shutter speeds of up to 1/6000 sec and a 6fps continuous shot mode.

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The Polaroids of CES 2014

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The Polaroids of CES 2014

Ailing photography pioneer Polaroid makes a comeback at CES 2014 with a pair of surprises-- the long awaited retro-styled Socialmatic camera and the C3, an wide-angle action camera inside a small cube.

The Socialmatic has been a long time coming. It started off as a 2012 concept for a modern take on classic instant-print cameras, before Polaroid actually took up the idea to make an actual camera. And like the concept, it still combines a 14MP digital camera with a Zero Ink (ZINK) printer inside a likeable square-shaped package.

It also features a rear-facing 2MP shooter, 4GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card) and connectivity via wifi and Bluetooth. Control comes through a square 4.5-inch touchscreen, with Android as OS.

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The First Tizen Device: A Smart Camera

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The First Tizen Device: A Smart Camera

Samsung reveals the first consumer device running on Tizen, the open source Linux-based mobile device OS, at the Tizen Developer Summit-- not a smartphone or a tablet but a camera, specifically NX300M smart camera.

The NX300M is a refresh of the Android-powered NX300 mirrorless camera. It features a 3.31-inch AMOLED rotatable touchscreen, 20.3MP APS-C sensor, dual-channel wifi and NFC support.

Technically the camera is not the first Tizen device available. That particular honour belongs to a developer-aimed 10.1-inch tablet from Japanese vendor Systena.

If you recall, Tizen is a standards-based cross-architecture software platform built on the bones of MeeGo, a now-dead Nokia-Intel Linux-based mobile device OS. The project was first announced on 2011 and devices running on the OS were supposed to be available by H2 2012-- but work hit a number of snags as chief backer Samsung bits on too many Tizen-related projects, including a Mobile Lite and smart TV versions, than it can apparently chew.

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Intel Details "Depth Sensing" Cameras

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Intel Details

Intel is working on "depth sensing" cameras to "bridge the gap between the real and virtual world," perceptual products and solutions director Anil Nanduri tells IDG News-- a technology to appear in ultrabooks and laptops by H2 2014.

According to the company such cameras will bring about a level of interaction far beyond keyboard, mouse or even touchscreen interfaces, being able to identify characteristics, contours and shapes of items in view.

"You'll add the ability to sense your excitement, emotion-- whether you are happy or smiling," Nanduri says. "The algorithms and technologies are there, but they are getting more refined, and as they get more robust, you'll see them."

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