Google and eight top Android partners have just signed the Android Networked Cross-License, nicknamed PAX. On the surface, this looks to be a peace treaty of sorts that could end several patent wars.
Dual cameras are increasingly popular right now for smartphones, but so far, Samsung has steered clear of all the hype. However, a new patent application shows that Samsung has been working on a dual camera system of their own, featuring tech potentially more advanced than what is currently on the market.
If your Android phone was made by Samsung, LG, HTC, or any other manufacturer that likes to apply skins on top of stock Android, then your camera app is tied to the custom gallery app that was preinstalled on your device. In other words, when you tap that little image preview icon after taking a picture, you'll be taken to a camera roll interface that was made by an electronics manufacturer.
When they were purchased by Google back in 2011, Motorola underwent a sweeping change in software philosophy. All throughout the UI on their flagship devices, edgy design patterns were replaced by clean, minimalist interfaces akin to vanilla Android. This philosophy has continued on as Motorola's signature, even though they have since been sold to Lenovo.
Practically every smartphone comes with a built-in camera app, but these apps are generally created by the device's manufacturer. And let's face it, manufacturers are hardware companies first and foremost, so they don't always produce the best software.
With the purchase of my new Apple Watch, the days of striving to be a James Bond-like spy have never been closer to fruition. Granted, talking to your wrist in public can look pretty pretentious, and I may very rarely do it, but let's get real—you look like 007!
We use the cameras on our phones to become Instagram-famous, direct Snapchat videos, and post pictures for all our Facebook friends to gander at. Needless to say, camera technology in smartphones has come pretty far in a fairly short amount of time. In fact, a film shot entirely with an iPhone 5S was just accepted into the Sundance Film Festival.
Android's biggest selling point over alternatives like iOS or Windows Phone is the level of customization that it offers. If you don't like something about the UI, you can change it, whether it's as small as an icon set or as big as the entire home screen.
The camera on the Amazon Fire Phone is simple and easy-to-use, with a 13-megapixel rear shooter with optical image stabilization, but there are a couple of features that makes this camera stand out from others.
Aside from its many high-end features, the camera on the LG G3 is up there with other heavy hitters like the Galaxy S5 and HTC One.
One of the most feature-packed camera suites out there resides on the Sony Xperia Z2. Along with the regular camera and video modes, it comes with Motiongraph, AR Effect, and Social Live.
Although lacking in megapixels, the HTC One M8's camera can be considered a top-tier, flagship-level shooter. With the Duo Camera and UltraPixel technology behind it, it can make even the most inexperienced photographer snap pictures like a pro. There seems to be little missing for the average user, but for the more seasoned photographers, some of the standard settings may seem a bit too dumbed down.
Fresh off the heels of their latest agreement, Google and Samsung may soon be further aligned in their mobile technology outlook. The two tech giants signed a cross-licensing patent agreement, but that doesn't mean that Samsung was just going to start putting out stock Android devices. Quite the opposite really, as we saw from leaks of its new Magazine UX. The new user interface was shown during Samsung's presentation of it's latest Galaxy tablet at this years CES, and as reported to Re/code,...
Whether you're trying to get an unconventional angle or just want to include yourself in the picture, there are plenty of times when a remote trigger can come in really handy. Of course, if you want to buy one, you have tons of options. But if you already have an Xbox 360 headset, all you have to do is plug it in. YouTube user Gurnarok accidentally found that by plugging his Xbox headset into his camera's remote port, the on/off toggle triggered the shutter release and flash.
Most smartphone manufacturers focus on megapixels when it comes to cameras, but HTC took a different direction with the HTC One. Instead of trying to compete with the 13MP camera on the Samsung Galaxy S4, or the 20MP camera on the Sony Xperia Z1, or even the newer iPhone's 8MP, they decided on a simple 4MP camera. At first, you might think that 4MP is terrible, but not so fast. There are many advantages to your HTC One's camera that other phones just don't have.
You probably know Lenovo from their low-cost Windows PCs here in the states, but something you may not be aware of is that they also make smartphones. Right now, their biggest market is in China, but a rumored merger with BlackBerry could make Lenovo a contender in North America, not to mention one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world.
The transition from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 or other Android device can be a tough one. A vastly different operating system and the ability to customize anything and everything might be too much for some people. Taking in all that new, while having to let go of the old, can be as daunting as climbing Mount Everest.
In a previous softModder guide, I detailed how to get the Jelly Bean 4.2 Photo Sphere Camera and Gallery on your HTC One running Sense 5, but that was quickly outdated with the release of the new Google Play Edition HTC One, which has a newer Camera that works great with our hardware.
Polaroid photographs have a charming old-fashioned feel to them, evoking nostalgic memories of past days. My younger sister used to carry her Polaroid camera everywhere she went, transforming even the most trite moments into something wonderful.
Cameras can be pretty pricey, but this one only costs a buck, though it's pretty limited in its functionality. That's because it's no ordinary camera, but an origami one made using nothing but a dollar bill.
This is a great tip that will save you quite a lot of money on camera lenses. No matter what lens you are using, this video shows you how to get a good macro shot. All you need are special filters that go on top of your lens.
This is a useful tip that can show you how to use a bubble level with a double axis to make sure your shots are perfectly balanced. Avoid having to adjust your photographs or crop part away by making sure your camera is level when you're shooting.
This tutorial shows you how to use the Mafrotto 394 quick release plates, which allows you to quickly move or change cameras on your tripod. This saves you a lot of time you'd otherwise spend screwing and unscrewing your camera from the tripod.
In this video, we learn how to do night photography with your kids. Glow sticks. flash lights, and ghost images are great for night time! First, put your camera in the manual mode and then learn how to set the shutter once you're in manual mode. Put the pop up flash on your camera, then get started taking pictures! Use glow sticks to take pictures of the children, giving a cool effect on the photos. Use different shutter speeds on the camera to capture the sparks on the glow sticks and with s...
In this video tutorial, we learn how to create two separate exposures for the same image with Camera Raw when retouching a digital photograph in Adobe Photoshop CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular raster graphics editor or a seasoned designer looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of the latest iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, watch this video guide.
In this video, we learn how to use extension tubes in place of a macro lens. First you will need to have your camera and a tube insert that will attach to your lens. Once you have this, you can attach it to the lens by screwing it on with your hands. Then, you can focus extremely close, much more than you would be able to do with a regular lens. After you have attached this, look through the camera and start taking shots close-up. Then, you will be able to see a better picture than you had be...
Looking for instructions on how to take pictures with the camera on your Verizon Pantech Jest mobile smartphone? You're in luck. This free video tutorial will see that you need everything you need to know to take both snapshots and short videos. For thorough instructions, watch this cell phone guide.
Imagine your own time-lapsed footage in a 360 degree pan. You don't need an expensive Hollywood-style pan mount to get this effect. You can easily do this rotating pan mount on the cheap, with something you would never suspect— a kitchen timer.
In this clip, learn how to create a camera controller using nulls and user data. This makes animating a camera in a scene much easier. Whether you're new to MAXON's popular 3D modeling application or are just looking to get better acquainted with Cinema 4D and its various features and functions, you're sure to enjoy this free video software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Cinema 4D projects, watch this 3D modeler's guide.
In this tutorial, we learn how to photograph with a point and shoot camera. If you have dark light on the face, make sure you turn flash on your light and make sure it turns on to even out the lighting that's on the face. One of the easiest ways to shoot outside without using flash is to put someone in the shade. If the light source is coming from straight ahead, you will have the best lighting available. This will isolate where your light is coming from, and will work out better if it's not ...
Having a Nikon digital SLR means you take good pictures, no matter what. With 20/20 clarity and the ability to take awe-inspiring macro shots, a ditital SLR is a powerful tool but also extremely complicated to use.
In this video, learn how to create camera accessories out of common objects for travel. Sometimes when you fly, you are not able to carry heavy camera equipment like tracks, dollies, tripods, etc. In this video, Jan will show you how to take common things like toys and use them instead. These are also great because they are lightweight enough to not weigh down your luggage. Have fun!
Photoshop CS5 brings a great new way to reduce noise in your images. Noise Reduction within Camera Raw works wonders! Whether you're new to Adobe's popular image editing software or a seasoned graphic design professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the unique features of Photoshop CS5, you're sure to find something of value in this free video tutorial.
Learn how to use Camera Raw 6, the CS5 component that enables photographers to open and manipulate images in non-destructive and now even more efficient ways. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular image editing software or a seasoned graphic design professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the unique features of Photoshop CS5, you're sure to find something of value in this free video tutorial.
Want to blow out everything behind a foreground object but don't have $500 to drop on used DSLR camera? Then the filter trick outlined in this 17-minute Photoshop CS4 tutorial is for you. Using lens blur, one can create convincing depth of field reminiscent of a view camera or a wide-aperture lens. This technique is complex and requires some real observation and thought, but can produce beautiful results.
This video shows us the method to protect your lens. This can be done by putting the lens caps. The cap for the part of lens going into the camera can be screwed on to the lens. It stops dust from getting on to the lens surface. The front part of the lens can be protected by a lens cap which can be put into the position and pulled out when needed. You can also put a filter on the lens. The filter can be used to protect the lens in case you drop it in the sand and any other similar condition. ...
Not all cameras come with a flash, and not all cameras have the flash you need. That's where external light and flash meters come in handy for dark or low light shooting situations. In this video tutorial, learn how to usa an external flash like the pros.
To rainproof your camcorder start by purchasing a lens hood for it. This lens hood helps to rainproof the camera lens but it also prevents flaring from the sun. Take a zip lock bag and cut the corner off of the bottom so that it creates a hole that is big enough for the lens hood to fit through. Put the camera in the bag and push the lens hood through the hole in the bottom of the bag. Take a rubber band and wrap it around the outside of the plastic bag just behind the lens hood to keep water...
This video shows you how to make a simple, DIY ring light for your point and shoot Canon G10 or G11 camera. By using either cool white or warm white LED lights, you can set your white balance presets to daylight or tungsten. Ring lights are incredibly useful in fashion photography for an even, soft light with a striking eye light.
For graceful camera moves, it's hard to beat a dolly. A professional rig can cost a lot of money, but in this video tutorial you'll learn how to make a pro-quality slider using parts you can find at the hardware store. This rig is great for close-ups and tabletop set-ups.
