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Ion launches Air Pro WiFi, helps you document your morning commute (video)

Daniel Cooper — Tue, 22 May 2012 19:14:00 EST

Ion's officially releasing its Air Pro camera that we put through its paces back in March. The sports shooter is designed to be strapped to a helmet or extreme-sports gear to document your extreme adventures in high definition. It'll also come with 8GB of free storage from MiMedia to share your death-risking achievements over the internet. Budget models are available starting at $230, but for the full package (with the WiFi module) it'll set you back $350 from today. Oh, and if you'd like to see what you're expected to do with the gear, you can head past the jump for test footage.

Continue reading Ion launches Air Pro WiFi, helps you document your morning commute (video)

Ion launches Air Pro WiFi, helps you document your morning commute (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 19:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ION Air Pro POV camera: shoot on the piste, upload to the cloud, we go hands-on (video)

James Trew — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:33:00 EST

You might think the POV / action sports camera world has been a bit of a two horse race recently. That could all change, however, now ION has muscled into the scene with its Air Pro HD sports camera. The firm's dabbled with handy cameras before, but now it's dipping a well armored toe into the helmet-cam market. Needless to say, that means it's rugged, waterproof, and built to eat dirt -- or at least capture the moments when you do.

Your action is scooped-up in full 1080p HD, and there's a 5-megapixel stills option for when you want to frame that killer jump for static posterity. The lens is a 170-degree wide-angle affair, you can change the FOV if you wish, but it's definitely enough to grab all the action. There's also no display on the device itself, but there's a reason for that: operating the Air Pro is a ridiculously straightforward task. With just one click you're recording, even if switched off. The two controls on top are all you need to get the essential jobs done with this device, a button for switching it on and off (and taking stills) and the sliding record switch -- this set-up also means you can physically feel if it's recording, even when you can't see it.

Gallery: ION Air Pro hands-on

Continue reading ION Air Pro POV camera: shoot on the piste, upload to the cloud, we go hands-on (video)

ION Air Pro POV camera: shoot on the piste, upload to the cloud, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle

Richard Lai — Thu, 12 May 2011 06:36:00 EST

Remember that Contour Plus helmet cam teased by a cheeky cyclist last month? Well, this is it, though it turns out the name's actually written as Contour+. Like the ContourGPS, this new imager captures 1080p video at 30fps, and also packs built-in GPS plus Bluetooth v2.1 -- the latter's for the wireless viewfinder app on iOS and, eventually, Android. The difference between these two cameras? Well, ignoring the colors and the extra 3mm in length, the Contour+ does indeed come with a mini HDMI-out port alongside the microSD slot on the back. Better yet, you'll also find an HDMI cable in the box to get you going. And of course, let's not forget the new super-wide lens (still rotatable) that does 170 degrees for 960p and 720p recording, or 125 degrees for 1080p. Both modes best the camera's predecessor, though the trade-off is the lack of dual-alignment lasers. If this isn't a problem for you, then feel free to shell out $499.99 when it launches on May 18th.

Update: We have PR after the break.

[Thanks, Daniel H.]

Continue reading Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle

Contour+ helmet cam goes official, bringing 1080p video with wider viewing angle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 06:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:53:00 EST

If you're the type who likes to risk life and limb in pursuit of pleasure, then you know the best way to document your exploits is with a little helmet cam action. Bike Rumor is reporting that Contour, one the leaders in this (admittedly niche) field, will soon be releasing a new POV shooter called the Contour Plus. The site came across some Giant pro cyclers testing the device, who claim the Plus will improve on the ContourGPS by adding an HDMI-out port, boosting image quality, and widening the viewing angle from 140 degrees to 170. And, for those who really like to live dangerously, the Plus will supposedly pack a Bluetooth radio so you can stare at the iPhone viewfinder app while hurtling down a snow-covered slope or through an obstacle-riddled bike path. Of course, this is all unofficial at the moment, but the "little birdy" whispering in Bike Rumor's ear said the updated cam will land in the next month or two. One more blurry shot after the break.

Continue reading Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics

Contour Plus helmet cam spied, offers wider view of your extreme antics originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY business card displays your info via persistence of vision, fails to impress Patrick Bateman (video)

Sam Sheffer — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:52:00 EST

Still fancy the age-old business card and enjoy outrageous DIY projects that may or may not make you look foolish? Continue on then, dear reader. The peeps over at Instructables have provided a lengthy and seemingly difficult set of directions on how to craft a persistence of vision business card. POV allows your eyes to see text or images generated by light waving back and forth -- in other words, your name is displayed by swinging your arm in a giant circle. If you're cool with this, hit the source link, build your own and be sure to let us know how many contacts you make.

Continue reading DIY business card displays your info via persistence of vision, fails to impress Patrick Bateman (video)

DIY business card displays your info via persistence of vision, fails to impress Patrick Bateman (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ContourGPS helmet cam review [updated]

Tim Stevens — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:02:00 EST

Helmet cameras have now achieved the pinnacle of HD recording: 1080p. If you have the cash, a head, and a pastime worth filming you have a few choices for full HD extreme POV recording. So what's a little lid-mounted recorder to do for its next trick? If you're Contour it's to add a positional sensor and the letters G, P, and S to your product and create the ContourGPS. It lets you not only record your extreme antics but also how fast you were going when you were partaking in them, plus a lot of other information. And, more promisingly, there's a suite of hardware updates here, some paving the way to letting you use your smartphone as a viewfinder. But how does this $350 piece of helmet jewelry perform on the ice? Keep on reading for some video evidence.

Gallery: ContourGPS

Continue reading ContourGPS helmet cam review [updated]

ContourGPS helmet cam review [updated] originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Conceptual 'CTRUS' football gets loaded with sensors, don't need no pump

Sean Hollister — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:11:00 EST

We've heard of soccer balls that play a tune when kicked, sure, and we're pumped to see the World Cup in 3D, but it's not often that someone comes up with a serious technological makeover for the sport that's nearly as old as life itself. CTRUS, however, is just that -- a theoretical revolution in soccer that begins with the all-important ball. To start with, a reinforced elastic structure means that CTRUS doesn't require any air. (So long, pump.) Next, GPS and RFID chips keep track of the ball's position at all times, and tell it to light up in different colors when it scores a goal or is accomplice to a nefarious violation. (Farewell, referee.) Last but not least, the sphere itself will report back with accelerometers that measure the ball's kick force and travel speed, and a camera that could (with magical software stabilization, of course) actually film action from the ball's own POV. Sadly, the ball is just a concept from an undercover marketing agency, but since we're dreaming, we urge its creators to add a second camera. Just imagine just how immersive it would be to have your face booted in at 130km/h in glorious 3D. Or, just peek the concept videos after the break.

Continue reading Conceptual 'CTRUS' football gets loaded with sensors, don't need no pump

Conceptual 'CTRUS' football gets loaded with sensors, don't need no pump originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Liquid Image outs Summit Series Snow Camera goggles ahead of CES

Laura June — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:28:00 EST

Liquid Image has just announced new camera-equipped ski masks, swimming goggles and scuba masks, just in time for them to be unveiled at CES 2010. The Summit Series Snow Camera Goggle 335 boasts a 5MP still camera capable of shooting D1 720 x 480 resolution video at 30 frames per second with audio. It's got 16MB of built-in flash memory, expandable to 16GB via its microSD / SDHC slot. Other features include large buttons on the side of the goggles which are easy to press while wearing gloves and a light inside the goggles which indicates when recording. The goggles are estimated to get about 2,200 still images or over 2 hours of video per charge on their lithium ion battery. Liquid Image expects to ship the Summit Series goggles in the summer of 2010, with a price of $149. Full press release is after the break

Continue reading Liquid Image outs Summit Series Snow Camera goggles ahead of CES

Liquid Image outs Summit Series Snow Camera goggles ahead of CES originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VholdR ContourHD1080p helmet cam announced, we go hands-on

Tim Stevens — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST

If you live in the north you've probably noted a chill in the air. The leaves are turning, the days are shortening, and anybody with a pair of skiis or a snowboard in the closet is walking with a bit of a spring in their step. A whole new season of extreme powdery antics is just a few months away, and for those looking to capture those antics -- or those on the streets, up in the air, or anywhere else in between -- a rugged helmet camera is the way to go. Earlier this year we got a chance to run the 720p-recording ContourHD through a few helmeted trials, and now we've been given exclusive access to test the company's new version, the ContourHD1080p. The name tells you the biggest news here, full 1080p recording in a tiny package, but there's more to it than just pixels. Read on for the full details, and a video of a couple of dudes jumping off a cliff.

Gallery: VholdR's ContourHD1080p

Continue reading VholdR ContourHD1080p helmet cam announced, we go hands-on

Filed under: Digital Cameras

VholdR ContourHD1080p helmet cam announced, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's compact HD HXR-MC1 POV camera provides oodles of mobility

Darren Murph — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:53:00 EST

No matter your definition of small, Sony's HXR-MC1 is apt to fit the bill. This minuscule HD POV camera seeks to provide high-def capture abilities in just about every nook and cranny you can imagine, providing increased mobility when filming extreme sports, reality TV, documentaries, nature, wildlife, etc. The camera can log footage at a native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and store it on Memory Stick PRO Duo media using AVCHD compression; just 16GB of space can hold six hours of HD content. You'll also find a 10x optical zoom, built-in microphone and a 2.7-inch LCD monitor, all within a 1.5- x 1.69- x 3.5-inch package. Pricing has yet to be announced, but we'd expect to pay quite the premium for the compactness come February.

Filed under: Other hardware, Sony

Sony's compact HD HXR-MC1 POV camera provides oodles of mobility originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Native iPhone app controls Packbot via WiFi, delivers streaming POV video

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:07:00 EST

Sure, you love your iPhone, but did you ever feel like there was just one application missing from the home screen... besides MMS, IM, or a video recorder? If you're like us, that missing application was a full-featured Packbot control program replete with streaming POV video and a standalone, direct WiFi connection that doesn't require a proxy machine to pass along commands. Rodrigo Guiterrez and Jeff Craighead -- the brains behind this operation -- claim that next up they plan to utilize the phone's accelerometers and a fullscreen video display to deliver a "you are there" experience for bot-steering. Engadget and its team of armed Packbots can hardly wait. Check the video after the break to see it in action.

Continue reading Native iPhone app controls Packbot via WiFi, delivers streaming POV video

Filed under: Cellphones, Robots

Native iPhone app controls Packbot via WiFi, delivers streaming POV video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IPEVO reveals PoV handheld webcam

Darren Murph — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:46:00 EST

IPEVO, better known for its Skype-related offerings, is gearing up to unveil its PoV handheld webcam at the Taipei Computer Show, but thankfully, it went ahead and uploaded most all of the nitty gritty onto its website for us to pore over. Apparently, the device is designed to enable users to easily show others "what they see," and it features a VGA (640 x 480) resolution, adjustable focus, automatic white balance, a built-in microphone and USB 2.0 connectivity. You can also perch this bugger on your desk or desktop monitor, but c'mon, where's the fun in that? No word on a price or release date just yet, but those tidbits should be readily available next month.

[Thanks, Roy C.]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

IPEVO reveals PoV handheld webcam originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NaturalPoint TrackClip PRO brings motion tracking to gameplay

Cyrus Farivar — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:20:00 EST

Any serious gamer already has a headset so he/she can bark commands/encouragement/taunts at his/her teammates while keeping both hands free. But what most gamers probably don't have is a way to glance around the gaming environment with a simple turn of the head. To solve this problem, NaturalPoint, along with Creative Labs, have just announced the TrackClip PRO, a sensor that latches onto your existing headset, but changes your field of view so that each time you look about any axis (roll, pitch, yaw), you'll see exactly what's going on in the game. It can be yours for $40 and will start shipping on December 4, provided that you can tear yourself away from your World of Warcraft marathon long enough to find your credit card.

[Via NaturalPoint press release]

Filed under: Gaming

NaturalPoint TrackClip PRO brings motion tracking to gameplay originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build a golf club POV to improve your swing

Cyrus Farivar — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 03:52:00 EST

So last weekend, some of the Engadget editors were getting together at our latest country club retreat (read: miniature golf) and we were discussing over glasses of chardonnay (read: a couple of beers) how we could improve our golf swing (read: none of this ever happened). That said, we're always looking to better our game. Fortunately for us, our pal Philip Torrone over at MAKE: Blog pointed us to a detailed set of instructions on how to make a golf club POV (persistence of vision, or a device that spells out words when swung) that writes "NICE SWINGING!" if you've got that coveted golf arc down. According to Zedomax, if you spend the time and money to build this POV, it should cost about $45 and ought to take about two hours to construct. Of course, a $45 gadget won't replace your $50/hr golf coach, but it may just make you the coolest (and dorkiest) player on the back nine. (Bonus points to the first person that makes one of these that spells out Engadget, or the "e" logo).

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Build a golf club POV to improve your swing originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Nov 2006 03:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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