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Take Live 360 Degree Video With Your iPhone 4 Using Dot

Greg Chaffins

We can all agree that the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S have a great video capability, and ithe auto focus and great light sensitivity makes it very easy to use. But did you now that it could grab 360 degree videos just as easy? You can, if you have Dot.

Dot is a mechanical device that is designed to hook to your iPhone and provides a small dome shaped mirror for grabbing the video. You snap it on, turn the iPhone flat, and start grabbing everything around you. A dedicated app processes the raw dome shaped video into a 360 degree panoramic that allow you to pan and move while the video plays. Simple and effective – how cool is that?

This capability really allows the user to share everything that was going on around the user at a given time. You can even revisit taken videos and see what was happening beside or behind you as needed. I think this is a great idea, and puts a whole new spin on the VR pictures you can find on the web now, but puts the power in your own hands.

 

 

The Dot Project is a Kickstarter project, and a pledge of $99 gets you the Dot device, the app, an invitation to the launch party, and even a hug when it launches in 2012. I am actually excited about Dot, and would love to see such capabilities built into a future device. If included by Apple, it could be as simple as a small bump on the top of an iPhone. But in the meanwhile, this should be a great way to share videos with anyone. Who knows, maybe you and a friend can explore a place together, since you may have missed something the first time around.

Kickstarter

Kickstarter is an online threshold pledge system for funding creative projects. Kickstarter has funded a diverse array of endeavors, ranging from indie film and music to journalism, solar energy technology and food-related projects.

source:wikipedia

 

WowWee WiFi Home Security Robot Price Drop

Greg Chaffins

 

Being connected in today’s world is easier than ever.  And since we are all connected, we may spend more time with our connections and away from, as George Carlin so aptly put it, away from our stuff.  But the same connections can be used to keep track of our favorite stuff.

Enter the WowWee spybot, Rovio.  Unlike a simple webcam that lets you check in on your, well, stuff, it can let you go walking about in a virtual way, keeping a watchful eye.  But not just an eye – you also have an ear, thanks to the built in microphone.  You can even remotely participate thanks to its two way communications capability.  All you need is a remote internet connection.

The little robot works via WiFi, and it incorporates built in GPS navigation.  You can set a point and, with a remote click of a mouse, the unit will go to a designated point (you know, such as the other side of a corner to see if everyone is actually talking about you, as you suspect…  and if you think this, they probably are, but only a frank discussion about your paranoia).

Nighttime reconnaissance missions are not a problem either, since the Rovio sports its own onboard LED light source to show the way.  So the little unit is handy whether you are traveling or just want to check out what the noise is down the hall from the comfort of your bedroom.

 

Personally I think it would be cool to get two and play a little robotic hide and seek with a friend across the room or across the country. Perhaps strap on some IR cannons and even play a little VR war game,  Yeah, I’m feeling it. A quick price check showed the Rovio to be available from Amazon as of this writing for $265, down from the earlier $349 introductory price.  Not cheap, but getting into the affordable range.  And as with any introductory unit aimed for a mass consumption price you should probably expect there to be hiccups. But as something with a lot of fun potential this looks to be pretty cool.

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