Adding a ‘SixthSense’ to Your Cellphone

A camera-based device developed by an M.I.T. researcher Pranav Mistry turns walls into computer interfaces and allows users to issue commands through gestures. The technology is aimed at cellphone users.

[via Bits]

Frankencamera

It's big. It's ugly. And it's made from recycled parts, at least for now. It's called the "Frankencamera" — and it might someday change the way you take pictures.

Computer scientists at Stanford University say the new camera prototype works something like an iPhone: It can be altered in nearly infinite ways, depending on the applications downloaded to it.

[Read full article in NPR]

Samsung Launched 12MP Cameraphone in India

Samsung India today launched the world’s first GSM Mobile handset with a 12 MP camera and full touch screen functionality – Pixon12 (M8910) in the Indian mobile phone market.

[via Telecom Talk]

New camera for narcissists has front-facing LCD

Samsung's new digital camera called the TL225 helps you take pictures of yourself.

[via The RawFeed]

Asian Fan Phones

The Lightningbug concept phone design by Yong-Hwan Kwon opens at the top and fans out a screen which can be used to watch videos, surf the internet and see media on a larger scale.

The design is fun because it provides a screen bigger than usual mobile phones, but the actual phone doesn’t increase in size. Take a look at the smart phone design above.

[via Trendhunter]

Nokia launching 12-megapixel camera phone

Nokia is stepping up its game with the launch of a 12-megapixel camera phone later this year, according to PhoneReport via ZDNet. This follows up 12 MP model announcements from Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson. The best Nokia has to offer right now is the Nokia N86, which only an 8 megapixel camera.

National Geographic Duet Travel Phone

National Geographic and Cellular Abroad have announced a new travel phone called the Duet that is designed for the needs of the international traveler. The handset has slots for two SIM cards and offers Bluetooth, a camera, FM radio, TV, and a 1GB memory card. I4U reports.

The phone also comes loaded with content from National Geographic including ringtones, wallpapers, and travel videos. The handset ships with the pay-as-you-go National Geographic SIM card for affordable calling from 185 different countries and free incoming calls in over 80 countries.

Apple's new iPhone set to heat up phone war

Photos purporting to show the new iPhone were leaked on the internet over the weekend. The handset is expected to have a 3.2-megapixel camera, compared with the current 2-megapixel camera, a built-in compass and rubber-tread backing. Other photos show the device has a front-facing video camera to allow customers to engage in two-way video conversations.

[via The Telegraph]

Samsung's 12-megapixel camera phone

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., today reinforced its leadership in the high megapixel cameraphone market by unveiling Samsung Pixon12 (M8910), the world’s first 12-megapixel camera phone with full-touch screen.

YTN News Chanel

12-Megapixel LG Phone In The Works

According to übergizmo, LG will be releasing a new 12-megapixel cell phone later this year.

Samsung testing shutters for mobile cameras

Samsung Electronics is in the process of developing a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) shutter for camera phones, according to electronista .

A shutter could overcome the problems associated with quickly transferring the image data, which can lead to long frames or distortion when capturing moving objects.

New Samsung phone makes video calls even in the dark

Samsung is planning to launch a video call enabled mobile phone- SCH-W760, using infrared rays according to Telecoms Korea via Fareastgizmo.

The slider type Samsung SCH-W760 users can make video calls even in the dark although the screen will show only black and white.

Mobile App Uses Phone Camera as Virtual Eyes

iVisit, a audio and video conferencing company, is showing off an interesting technology using mobile phones that act as virtual eyes to help visually challenged users. Wired reports.

The technology called SeeScan allows users to point their cellphones at an object and have it identified in real-time. For instance users can point a phone at a at a can of Coke or a pack of frosted flakes or a bottle of shampoo and have the name of it read loud to them near-instantaneously.

The concept known as augmented reality, or a field that blends real world and computer generated data, is something companies are increasingly focusing on.

SeeScan though works only with packaged goods including currency but what's interesting to see is how iVisit has been able to make real-time object recognition work with a mobile processor.

Read full article.

New Exilim Casio steams up YouTube

Casio took an unusual approach to confirming the existence of a rumored Exilim camera phone: a steamy YouTube video Thursday.

The video video has been taken down, but word is it showed a young woman in the shower with the phone in hand, to show that it's water-resistant.

[via News.com]

Nokia's Point & Find gives new life to the camera phone

At its CTIA booth Nokia showed a new camera phone application that will allow users to get information about object by taking its picture. Point & Find is a downloadable app that uses real-time image processing and recognition technologies to access information related to books, movies, DVDs and similar media content.

[via Crave]

Sony Ericsson wants to take extreme photographs of you

Sony Ericsson has launched a campaign to create the ultimate Facebook profile picture after it announced its C510 phone will come with a new application that allows users to have statuses updated automatically. TechRadar reports.

The handset will be launched on 3, and Sony Ericsson will be taking a team of professional photographers around the country to allow people to have the 'perfect' Facebook profile pic taken, complete with Photoshopping to reduce any flaws / help if you're desperately ugly.

... You will be able to make it look like you're sky diving, bungee jumping or snowboarding if you're one of those lazy folks that likes the idea of doing dangerous things.

LG affirms that 12 megapixel cameraphone is in the works

LG which just officially debuted its 8 megapixel Memoir here in Barcelona, "absolutely" has a 12 megapixeler in the works. That's according to Jeremy Newing, LG Mobile's head of marketing in the UK, who also proclaimed that the KS360 would be LG's first Android phone. engadget reports.

In his words: "We'll very much be releasing a 12MP cameraphone. However, it's important that people realize when taking 12MP images, they'll be using huge amounts of data, and it will be more difficult to do things like send such files."

Sony Ericsson Unveils 12.1-Megapixel Cameraphone

Sony Ericsson has recently announced the launch a brand new handset, the 12.1-megapixel cameraphone code-named “Idou.”

According to the mobile phone maker, Idou will be launched this year under the Entertainment Unlimited brand, along with a series of other projects as well.

[via Softpedia]

Samsung to release 12 megapixel cameraphone

According to engadget:mobile, Samsung will be "pushing the limits of absurdity to a full 12 megapixels this month, likely at Mobile World Congress - to be held in Barcelona February 16-19."

Sony Ericsson launches smile-friendly phone

Spotted on The Register, Sony Ericsson's first cameraphone with integrated smile detection.

The Logic Bolt Projector Phone

Spotted on GearLog, a projector-phone called The Logic Bolt.

The Logic Bolt an project a two-hour movie on a 36-64" screen. The projector can route video from almost any source, including an XBox or Nintendo.

Full details.

Links to other Projector phones.

Magnetic Detachable lenses

Spotted on engadget, magnetic, detachable lenses for the iPhone.

LG launches a Video Phone Watch

LG Electronics has unveiled its state of the art mobile – a 3G watch phone that makes video calls. The Sun reports.

The watch has a touchscreen for use with dialling, with an integrated speaker and camera allowing you to make video calls over a high speed internet connection.

You can also listen to MP3s on the LG watch phone plus it transforms text to speech and recognises voices.

LG has confirmed the watch phone will be available in Europe next year.

Take pictures just by blowing on your phone

Fantalog Interactive has just unveiled its mobile solution 'Emotion' which enables you to take pictures by blowing your breath on your camera phone.

[Aving news network via Newlaunches]

'Mobile Phones Will Shoot Full HD Video in 2012,' Ericsson Says

Ericsson AB of Sweden revealed its efforts in the mobile broadband market at a press conference Nov 6, 2008. Tech-On! reports.

Ericsson mentioned its concept of a future mobile terminal as "a mobile device in 2012." According to the concept, high-function terminals, in the future, will be equipped with a 12- to 20-Mpixel camera and support full HD video shooting capability.

[via engadget:mobile]

Sony Ericsson working on 12MP camera phone

According to Mobile Mentalism via TechRadar, Sony Ericsson is rumored to be working on a 12MP camera phone.

"Seemingly unable to stop playing with the Cyber-shot brand, SE is developing the phone, codenamed the Kotaku and apparently sporting a Tube-a-like touchscreen interface".

LG KC780 strives for world's thinnest 8 megapixel camera phone

Spotted on Gizmodo, LG's KC780, rumored to be the world's thinnest 8 megapixel camera phone.

Chinavasion Projector Phone

Chinavasion is now offering a cell phone equipped with its own built-in projector.

[via Uberphones]

High quality video similar to TV on Japanese Handset

Japan’s national TV station NHK has started today a mobile web video site, NHK Street. available to Japanese subscribers.

NHK Street allows subscribers to view video in high quality on their handsets, similar to TV broadcasts.

Images will be transmitted at a maximum of 30fps, supposedly the highest in the mobile industry.

Based on the new technology Media Cast Movie, NHK will offer full-length broadcasts instead of short clips."

[via Fareastgizmos]

Projector Cell Phone

Spotted on GearLive, The Projector Phone.

Yin Yang Camera

This concept camera phone is in the shape of the yin and yang symbol. The camera will be able to beseparated into 2 parts, the yin and the yang, which can be the camera and storage device respectively. By unplugging the storage module from the camera, it should be a really easy procedure to just plug it into a computer and start copying the pictures that were taken.

[Ubergizmo via Techdigest]

BPM phone uses camera to measure heart rate

In Japan, a new category of mobile phones is becoming apparent with functions aimed at elderly users. TechRadar reports.

"A perfect example is the new F884iES, a mobile made by Fujitsu for market-leader NTT DoCoMo's Raku Raku (Easy Peasy) range of phones for OAPs.

The new handset creates a daily health diary for its owner by combining information gathered from two sources built into the phone.

A pedometer measures how far the user walks each day and adds it to data from an ingenious bit of camera trickery.

The phone's camera can be used to measure blood flow in a fingertip pressed to the lens, which translates into an accurate heart-rate reading.

Together, the data are graphed over time, providing a useful, yet simple, tool that could easily be shown to a health professional at a check-up or after a problem has arisen."

Samsung unveils 8-megapixel camera phone

Samsung announced a new 8-megapixel camera phone called the Innov8.

The camera phone features: an auto-panorama mode; a bright flash; smile, blink, and face detection; wide dynamic range capturing abilities; and a video recorder that captures clips at 30 frames per second. ... Full specs in Crave

Samsung already has a a 10-megapixel cell phone in its handset lineup.

"Basic Tab" Mobile Phone Design

"How many ways can you reinterpret the flat black touchscreen screen? Well designer Jaren Goh has done a pretty decent job of putting his own spin on this movement with his “Basic Tab” mobile phone design. He has masterfully taken softer side out of the iPhone silhouette and gave it a more edgy, masculine appearance.

Perhaps a better way to show how this design correlates to fashion is the camera tab on the back. Instead of having it looking like camera shutter or lens cover. It was designed using features found on handbags and fashion accessories that is so everlasting."

[via Yanko Design]

Orange’s hole-cameraphone

Designed by De Montfort University student Chi Shing Lo as part of Orange’s D&AD Student Awards, it replaces the cameraphone’s viewfinder with a simple hole, as well as using it to hang the phone on a peg charger when its low on juice, or needs to upload shots to a PC.

[via Electripig]

Use your eyes to control your mobile gadgets

Rolling your eyes could soon turn up the volume of a portable music player or dial a number on your mobile cell phone, reports GameSHOUT.

"In a demonstration Tuesday, researcher Hiroyuki Manabe wore a giant headset covered with wires to show how computer graphic lines in a monitor connected to the headset darted wildly whenever his eyes moved.

He turned up the volume on a digital music player by rolling his eyes, and he jerked his eyes twice to the right to fast forward.

The new technology may also enable cell phone cameras to read bar codes used in Japan to get product information, download music and coupons when the user simply looks at the codes, researchers said."

Image from the Canadian Press

Motorola Lauches Kodak Camera Phone

Motorola has la­unched its first Kodak co-developed mobile phone, the MOTOZINE ZN5. [via Cellular News]

"To launch the camera, simply slide open the Kodak lens cover to transform the phone into an ultra-fast 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus, a Xenon flash, 4GB of optional external memory and optimized settings for low-light environments."

Image from Newlaunches.

Sony lifts mobile gaming with Wii-style handset

Sony Ericsson's new F305 cell phone has a control pad similar to those found on games consoles, and also contains a motion sensor that reacts to hand gestures, much like Nintendo's feted Wii device.

[via Times Online]

A tiny cameraphone

Spotted on Newlaunches, the Neon7, a tiny cameraphone.

'PhotoPhone' shows you who's calling

The "GE PhotoPhone," first seen at CES in January displays digital images of whomever is ringing based on a visual form of caller ID.

And when no one is on the phone, it still serves as a 7-inch picture frame in either black or silver finish.

[via Crave]

Motorola Kodak Camera Phone Outted

Pictures have surfaced of a new cameraphone from Motorola that promises to take on Sony Ericsson, Nokia, LG and Samsung in the cameraphone stakes. Pocket-Lint reports.

"Teaming up with Kodak, the phone will sport a 5 megapixel sensor and Kodak branding.

"They’ve made a cameraphone together that is almost ready for release – apparently the quality is supposedly awesome", an undisclosed source within Motorola told Pocket-lint.

The phone’s rumoured to be called the Motozine ZN5, Chinese-language site Keysj claims. "

More pictures on Gizmodo.

Nokia Shows 3G NFC Capable Mobile Phone

Nokia has launched a new 3G mobile phone - this time including Near Field Communication (NFC).

"With the Nokia 6212 classic, people can swap items like business cards or calendar notes by simply tapping their handsets together. With ever-increasing device functions and services available, ease-of-use is essential. One way to keep things simple is NFC," says Jeremy Belostock, the Head of Near Field Communications, Nokia.

By tapping an NFC-enabled tag, consumers can receive new content such as weblinks, audio files or contact data directly to their phone. They can activate a profile in their handset or open applications such as FM radio or web browser. ..."

[via Cellular News]

Samsung announces world's thinnest 8 megapixel cellphone module

Measuring just 8.5-mm thin, Samsung's 8 megapixel module is the slimmest CMOS camera module of its kind.

[via engadget:mobile]

Kodak sees picture of future in high-quality camera phones

Camera phone snapshots are, by and large, like fast food - convenient, yet not usually all that good. But their popularity is exploding, with more Americans today having camera phones than digital cameras. The Indy Star reports.

"Now Eastman Kodak Co., one of the world's largest makers of digital cameras, is banking on camera phones appearing on the market by next year that shoot high-quality, 5-megapixel digital photos. Those photos would be due to a new line of inexpensive image sensors Kodak is starting to market.

The push into the CMOS image sensor business comes as Kodak is in the midst of a 10-year research-and-development collaboration with cell phone giant Motorola Inc. Kodak Chief Executive Officer Antonio M. Perez said earlier this year that within the next six months, the two companies will roll out the first products to have a Kodak contribution."

Eyes on video at mobile confab

Cell phone makers at the Mobile World Congress 2008 in Barcelona advanced their quest to grab entertainment dollars as they introduced new handsets Monday geared for use as music, video, TV and gaming devices. [via The Hollywood Reporter]

-- With TV and video in mind, Samsung showed off its new F490, a video-centric phone with a 3-inch by 2-inch screen, which is larger than the average cell-phone screen. 17% of the people in South Korea watch mobile TV.

-- Nokia unveiled its video-oriented N96 with a large 2.8-inch screen size and enough storage capacity to hold "more video than most of us watch in a month.

... Although the mobile phone has started to catch on as a portable music player, it's sputtering as a TV device.

At the same time, fewer than 1% of mobile users in the five biggest Western European countries and the U.S. watched live TV or broadcast TV on their handsets, according to M:Metrics, which did not provide figures on video viewing."