Η ΓΝΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΟ
Once you've ridden a bicycle with a bell, shouting out warnings to pedestrians seems very loudmouthed and ineffective. Well, the Runbell 3.0 gives runners a finger-worn bell, so they don't have to yell at people either.
Category: Wearables, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Running, Warning, Kickstarter
Nothing about the Tesla Cybertruck (or the pickup campers built for it) has made it look like a particularly inviting camping vehicle. After famously awful first impressions, Elon's tent debacle didn't help. It seems like we'll have to wait for trailer builders to step outside the pickup box (prism) for a better Cyber-camping experience. Living Vehicle's Cybertrailer, for example, looks like a downright pleasant place to base camp, if you can even call it camping so much as luxury apartment-like mobile living.
Tags: living-vehicle, Caravan, Electric Vehicles, electric-camper, smart RV, Trailer, trailers, RV, Cybertruck
DJI has announced the Air 3S, an update to its existing dual-camera Air 3 model that upgrades the primary camera to a larger Type 1 sensor and adds features that promise to make the drone easier to operate at night. DJI is positioning the Air 3S as "perfect for travel photography."
The main camera on the Air 3S gains a 50MP Type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) CMOS sensor and features a 24mm equiv. F1.8 lens. That's an upgrade from its predecessor, which utilized a smaller Type 1/1.3 (4.8 x 3.6mm) CMOS sensor with a marginally faster F1.7 lens. The telephoto camera remains unchanged between the two models, using a 48MP Type 1/1.3 sensor and featuring a 70mm equiv. F2.8 lens.
In addition to stills, both cameras can capture up to 4K/120p or 4K/60p when shooting HDR. All video can be captured in 10-bit, even in regular color mode, and D-Log M and HLG modes are available. The maximum ISO has been raised to 12,800 (3200 when shooting D-Log M). However, DJI says the Air 3S includes a new, more advanced video encoding algorithm that reduces video file size by over 30% without compromising image quality.
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$1599 Fly More Combo (RC 2 controller) at DJI$1599 Fly More Combo (RC 2 controller) at B&H PhotoDJI claims both cameras can capture up to 14 stops of dynamic range and says the new main camera should capture even more detail than the camera on its more expensive Mavic 3 Pro model.
The DJI Air 3S is similar to its predecessor, the Air 3, but it gains a larger Type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) CMOS sensor on its main camera.
Image: DJI
Beyond the cameras, DJI has added several appealing features to the Air 3S:
A new Free Panorama mode enables users to create panoramic shots by stitching together images across a manually selected subject area. This works with either camera, but DJI suggests the best results will come from using the telephoto camera, which reduces distortion.
The Air 3S also includes features designed to make it easier and safer to fly at night, including Nightscape Obstacle Sensing, with the Air 3S becoming the first DJI drone to feature forward-facing LiDAR. Additionally, the drone includes downward-facing infrared sensors and six vision sensors (two each at the front, rear and bottom). According to DJI, this combination of sensors provides the Air 3S with "nightscape omnidirectional obstacle sensing," which should allow the drone to automatically identify and navigate around obstacles for safer nighttime photography.
This technology also enables DJI's next-gen Smart RTH (return-to-home) feature, intended to allow the drone to return safely to its takeoff location, even at night.
The Air 3S is available with either DJI's RC-N3 controller, which requires a smartphone to monitor the camera feed and aircraft status, or the RC 2 controller (above), which includes a built-in 700-nit 5.5" 1080 screen.
Image: DJI
The Air 3S also includes real-time vision positioning and map construction technology, designed to allow the drone to memorize a flight path and to return safely when adequate light is available, even in areas without satellite coverage.
The new model also features DJI's ActiveTrack 360 subject tracking but introduces a new subject focusing feature designed to keep a subject in sharp focus, even during manual flight or when a subject moves off-center. This should allow a pilot to focus on creative decisions like composition or camera movement while ActiveTrack keeps the subject in focus.
There are a few hardware specs worth noting as well. The Air 3S weighs 724g (1.6 lbs), just 4g more than its predecessor, and is rated for 45 minutes of flight time. It includes DJI's O4 video transmission system that transmits 10-bit video at up to 1080/60p and 42GB of built-in storage. A new Off-state Quick Transfer feature allows files to be transferred from the drone to a smartphone or a computer even when powered off.
Finally, for the privacy-conscious, a new Local Data mode completely disconnects the drone from the internet, ensuring that all data stays only on the device. DJI likens this mode to airplane mode on a smartphone.
The Air 3S is available in several packages. The Fly More combo shown above includes the RC 2 controller, ND filter set, two additional batteries (for a total of three), a charging hub, extra props and a shoulder bag, will retail for $1599.
Image: DJI
The charging hub that ships with the Air 3S supports PD fast charging and features a power accumulation function. It allows users to transfer the remaining power from several depleted batteries into the battery with the most remaining power – something anyone who has had to use drones in remote locations without a charging station is likely to appreciate.
Price and availabilityThe DJI Air 3S is available for purchase in several configurations: the drone with the RC-N3 controller, which requires a smartphone to monitor the camera feed and flight status, will retail for $1099. A Fly More combo with the RC-N3 controller, ND filter set, two additional batteries, a battery charging hub and shoulder back will retail for $1399. Finally, a Fly More combo with DJI's RC 2 controller, which includes a built-in 700-nit 5.5" 1080p screen, ND filter set, two additional batteries, charging hub and shoulder pack, will retail for $1599.
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$1599 Fly More Combo (RC 2 controller) at DJI$1599 Fly More Combo (RC 2 controller) at B&H PhotoAlthough best known for its bikes, Yamaha is working on a rather gorgeous-looking electric sports coupe with Caterham EVo. The concept debuted last year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and promises 268 horses for its impressively low curb weight.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Yamaha, Caterham, Concept Vehicle, Sports Cars, Automotive
When it comes to things that have a reputation for being hard to learn, flying an airplane certainly ranks among the hardest. The Airhart Sling could soon change that, however, as it's designed to radically automate and simplify the flying process.
This teaser image, released by Canon, shows its existing RF L-series lenses, the RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM alongside three new mystery lenses.
Image: Canon
Canon has announced plans to introduce new lenses to its hybrid RF-L series on October 30. No additional details were provided.
However, a teaser photo released with the announcement offers some hints. It shows five lenses, including the two previously announced RF L-series lenses: the RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z, a fast wide to moderate telephoto zoom, and the RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM prime lens. The implication is that we can expect to see three new lenses, possibly a zoom and a couple of smaller primes.
The RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z was the first lens in Canon's RF L series of hybrid lenses. Unlike any EF or RF lens before it, it includes a manual aperture ring.
Image: Canon
According to Canon, its RF L-series of lenses are designed to meet the needs of both still photographers and video shooters, borrowing design elements from both its existing RF lenses as well as technology from the company's broadcast and cinema lenses.
Previously announced RF L lenses include manual aperture rings, something that hadn't previously appeared on Canon EF or RF lenses, and include support for stepless aperture control, a feature desired by filmmakers. The lenses are also designed to minimize focus breathing.
We'll hold our breath until Canon provides more details at the end of the month.
High-end Brit audio gear maker Bowers & Wilkins has given its iconic Zeppelin portable speaker a Pro upgrade. The blimp-shaped unit is home to improved drivers, better support for hi-res streaming, plus a few eyeball pleasers for good measure.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
The team behind the Sphere, the incredible Las Vegas building that boasts bragging rights as the world's largest spherical building and hosts the world's largest LED display on its exterior, has revealed plans to create a second version in the United Arab Emirates.
Category: Architecture, Lifestyle
Tags: Sphere, Building and Construction, Abu Dhabi, LED, Entertainment
Yesterday, Fujifilm announced a new version of its XF 16-55 F2.8 R LM WR lens, which is substantially smaller and lighter than the original. The size is what convinced our editor, Richard Butler, to take it with him on his vacation to the UK, and he has kindly sent back sample images that he took using it.
The lens is in the same class as full-frame 24-70 lenses, though it provides slightly more reach on the long end, around 82mm equiv. with the 1.5x crop on APS-C systems.
Click here to see the sample gallery
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$1199 at B&H Photo$1199 at AdoramaA few months back, China's Robot Era demonstrated the strolling capabilities of its XBot-L humanoid by setting it loose on the Great Wall of China. Now the company has released video footage of two flagship Star1 models racing through the Gobi Desert.
Category: AI & Humanoids, Technology
One of the announcements to quietly sneak out of Adobe's annual MAX conference this week in Miami comes from Nikon, which announced that it is currently developing firmware to add a feature called Content Credentials, which is based on the standards developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), to the Z6III mirrorless camera.
"Nikon is committed to developing solutions, including compliance with C2PA standards, with the goal of protecting individuals and enterprises in the imaging industry, and ultimately society, from any unfavorable results caused by fake images and/or unauthorized use of images," states the company's official press release. "Our aim is to implement a mechanism that preserves original, unaltered image data recorded using the camera, making it easier to verify the authenticity of images and protect the rights of photographers."
Nikon has been working on content authenticity since at least 2022, revealing earlier this year that it's working with Agence France-Presse (AFP) to test a digital watermark function as an additional layer to the C2PA digital signature. Nikon also reiterated the importance of content authenticity when DPReview visited Nikon headquarters for an interview in February in which we discussed the challenges of generative AI.
In an interview at Nikon's headquarters in Tokyo earlier this year, Yusuke Adachi, an executive from Nikon's Imaging Business Unit, reiterated the importance of having a system to validate the authenticity of images.
Photo: Dale Baskin
"We believe that generative AI can leave a positive impact on both cameras and the industry as a whole, but at the same time, it’s been causing issues such as fake images or fraudulent use of images, which leads to the issue of credibility and confidence," Yusuke Adachi, an executive from Nikon's Imaging Business Unit, told us. "In order to grapple with these issues, we’ve been working on technology to record histories of captured images. Right now, we’re in the demonstration phase to verify and validate the efficacy of these functions we’re trying to deploy together with AFP (Agence France-Presse)."
According to Nikon, the firmware currently under development for the Z6III should reflect the results of testing the system's practicality as part of a news agency workflow and is expected to be released to some news and other agencies in mid-2025. Nikon did not indicate when these features may be available to non-agency photographers.
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$2496 at Amazon.com$2497 at B&H Photo$2497 at AdoramaYou could argue that the American Ultra II is a blasphemy against the purity of Leo Fender's first masterpiece – or you could evaluate this guitar without the baggage of its heritage. Either way, it's certainly a fascinating and inspiring instrument.
Category: Music, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Reviews, Fender, Fender Telecaster, Guitar, Instrument
DxO has announced ViewPoint 5, a new version of its geometry correction and editing software that's meant to help correct optical distortion or adjust perspective for artistic effect. Most of the changes revolve around the ReShape Fusion control introduced in the previous version, giving users more options when adjusting perspective or geometry in their images.
In ViewPoint 4, the ReShape Fusion tool let you manually drag points in a mesh to adjust a photo's geometry. The new version adds a free transform mode, which lets you move, rotate, or scale certain parts of your image. It also now has a 'propagation' slider, which is somewhat analogous to the feather tool in other editing software; it lets you control how much your edits in one area of the image affect other parts of the image.
The propagation tool lets you choose how much you want your edits to affect other parts of your image.
Image: DXO
DxO has also added a "Sticky Borders" checkbox, which 'maintains the original crop of the image' by warping your image to fill in spaces left by your other adjustments.
The horizon and perspective editing tools have also been updated to let you make adjustments locally, so they only apply to specific subjects in the image rather than the entire thing. For example, if you had an image with several skyscrapers in it and the ones at the edge of the frame were starting to lean away from the center, you could correct that distortion without affecting the other towers in the image.
That local correction is also now available for volume deformation correction, which helps fix the stretched edges of images taken with ultra-wide lenses. That means that if one edge of your image is stretched more than the other, you no longer have to apply the correction to fix it to the entire image.
Volume deformation adjustments can now be made to only certain parts of the image and can be adjusted using the same propagation slider control available on other tools.
Image: DXO
Like DxO's other software, ViewPoint 5 is being sold as a perpetual license instead of using a subscription model. Buying it standalone will cost $109, and upgrading from version 3 or 4 will cost $69. It's also available as a bundle with the company's recently announced PhotoLab 8 Raw editing software for $269. Like with the previous version, owning both will give you access to some of ViewPoint's features within PhotoLab.
Press Release:
DxO ViewPoint 5, the unique photo software for controlling geometry, shape, and perspective, adds spectacular new toolsThe innovative ReShape Fusion tool lets users warp imperfections, correct perspective, and resolve issues caused by wide-angle lenses, and more.
Paris, France: DxO Labs, the pioneering force in photo editing software for over 20 years, today announces DxO ViewPoint 5, the latest version of its unique editing software. DxO ViewPoint allows photographers to overcome imperfect geometry, fix problem perspectives, and perfect vital image details. This major update enhances the peerless ReShape tool, adding powerful local warping of perspective, scale, and horizons, while adding more ways to use DxO ViewPoint’s exclusive volume deformation corrections to combat the stretching caused by wide-angle lenses.
“If you need to adjust perspective or geometry — whether that’s across the whole image or specific areas — there’s nothing else on the market like DxO ViewPoint 5,” explains Product Manager Fabrizio Dei Tos. “For version 5, the increased level of control gives you beautifully simple solutions to otherwise complex and fiddly problems.”
ReShape Fusion: A whole new level of controlDxO ViewPoint’s exclusive ReShape tool lets photographers realign and reposition small but vital details in their photos.
Introduced in version 4, the ReShape tool allowed photographers to realign and reposition small but vital details in their photos. In version 5, this is upgraded to ReShape Fusion, giving users powerful ways to balance and harmonize images. Previously, users were limited to manually dragging points in the tool’s mesh, but DxO ViewPoint 5 introduces Move, Rotate, and Scale options to perform far more complex edits. Alongside this is the innovative Propagation slider which steadily migrates those effects to surrounding points, allowing for more natural and photographic changes than ever before. Furthermore, the new Sticky Borders checkbox maintains the original crop of the image.
ReShape Fusion: Local horizon and perspective editingThe new ReShape Fusion tool adds more functionality, with new modes for Horizon and Perspective control. These take DxO ViewPoint’s regular Horizon and Perspective tools and combine them with the power of local adjustments. Photographers simply target the specific part of the image that needs to be realigned, make the adjustment, and then refine the changes with the Propagation slider to blend the effect with the rest of the photo. Once again, the Sticky Borders option locks the edges of the frame, so no blank pixels are created after warping.
ReShape Fusion: Correct volume deformation locallyDxO Viewpoint is the only software that offers a true solution to volume deformation — the stretching that occurs at the edges of photos taken with wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses. Up until now, this distortion could only be corrected globally, but thanks to the power of the ReShape Fusion tool, photographers can now apply it to carefully controlled areas of the image to fix and refine all manner of problems. Again, the Propagation slider and Sticky Borders are on hand to fine-tune editing as required.
DxO ViewPoint 5: Vital tools for any workflowWhen activated within DxO PhotoLab 8, its features bring a new level of control to your RAW workflow, granting the power to warp, correct, and edit geometry with full quality. Alternatively, it can be used standalone or alongside other photo editing software to bring balance to all manner of subjects.
Price and availabilityDxO ViewPoint 5 (Windows and macOS) is now available for download on the DxO website (https://shop.dxo.com/) at the following prices:
DxO ViewPoint 5 is available as a bundle with DxO PhotoLab 8, the advanced, end-to-end workflow that offers RAW photo editing at its finest:
For even greater savings, DxO FilmPack7, the software that brings back the timeless magic of film, can also be added:
DxO ViewPoint 5 is software that allows photographers to achieve the perfect composition without having to re-create an image. It can warp parts of an image into the ideal position, and in one click it restores the natural shape of subjects located at the edge of an image that have been stretched by a wide-angle lens. In addition, it automatically resolves distorted perspectives and defects introduced by lenses and the position of the photographer. Alongside an array of perspective tools, it features DxO’s renowned Optics Modules which correct lens flaws such as distortion and chromatic aberrations. It also has a Miniature Effect tool that produces a super-shallow depth of field featuring smooth bokeh, similar to that produced by a tilt-shift lens.
DxO ViewPoint is designed for Mac and Windows computers as an independent application, as a palette within DxO PhotoLab, and as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom Classic, and Adobe Photoshop Elements.
On its own, your computer keyboard just might not cut it in today's multi-tasking landscape. The Tmice X can be optioned with extra productivity modules that are added when a task demands it, then removed when no longer needed.
Category: Computers, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Kickstarter, Modular, Productivity, Keyboard
After a decade in the works, researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, have successfully devised a way to produce cement with 98% less CO2 emissions than traditional methods.
Tags: Cement, Concrete, Carbon Neutral, Carbon Dioxide, UCLA, University of California
Don't let its bright, friendly stripes fool you – the Iveco Daily Switch 4x4 was the meanest-looking camper van at the year's largest RV Show. By far. The towering RV was also among the show's most versatile, combining Iveco's highly configurable van platform, a warehouse worth of airline tie-down track, and a modular equipment set that seamlessly "switches" between hauling supplies to remote forestry and mining sites and hunting down the highest, remotest camping sites the world has to offer.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Campervan, Modular, Off-road, dusseldorf-caravan-salon-2024, Camping, Van, Outdoors and Camping, Iveco
A surprise discovery in a remote Australian desert region has given us new clues into the evolution of complex animal life, dating back more than 500 million years. The numerous fossils of the animal now known as Quaestio simpsonorum also show clear left-right asymmetry, concrete evidence of when complex lifeforms took shape on Earth.
Tags: Florida State University, Fossils, University of California, Evolution, Animal science
A new oral nanotherapy works directly on the small intestine, reducing its ability to absorb fat from the food we eat, according to a new study. While the therapy is at the early stages, if it proves effective in humans, it has huge potential as a treatment for diet-related obesity.
Category: Body & Mind
Tags: Obesity, Diet, Nanomedicine, fat-absorption
Yuji, Igarashi, Fujifilm’s Division Manager for its Professional Imaging Group, teases that the company is working on two new cameras for release in 2025.
Image: Fujifilm YouTube Channel
Earlier today, Fujifilm announced its newest camera, the X-M5, along with two new lenses, the XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II and the XF 500mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR, at its most recent X Summit event in Japan.
Fujifilm likes to move its events around, and this X Summit took place at CLAY Studio, Fujifilm’s own design center in Tokyo, where the company creates designs for digital cameras and lenses as well as for everything from medical devices to cosmetics.
During the event, Yuji, Igarashi, Fujifilm’s Division Manager for its Professional Imaging Group, introduced Kazuhisa Horikiri, Director of the design studio, who discusses the origin of the name (some design is still done with clay) and the philosophy of an “ever-evolving” design studio. He also notes, “I am probably the designer who has designed the most film cameras in the world.” Might that hint about where some of Fujifilm’s retro designs originated?
While it’s clearly a launch event and not an in-depth behind-the-scenes tour, members of Fujifilm’s team, including at least one designer, discuss some of the design philosophy, history, and manufacturing challenges behind Fujiiflm’s products, and the video could be an interesting watch for Fujifilm aficionados.
"One more thing..."In a brief moment at the end of the video, Igarashi channels Steve Jobs and says, “But wait. There’s one more thing.”
“We’re currently developing new cameras,” he says, looking over at two hidden objects, a large one under a white cloth and a smaller one under a black cloth. “Wow!” he says, theatrically lifting one of the sheets for a look while keeping the product hidden from viewers. “Although the timing is yet to be determined, we hope to bring you exciting news next year. Please stay tuned.”
While it’s not much of a reveal for a camera company to tease that it’s developing, well, more cameras, Igarashi’s brief attempt to create an Apple-like moment seems to confirm that we can look forward to at least two new cameras form Fujifilm in 2025.
The first Isetta-inspired Microlino EV made its debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, finally rolling into production some six years later. A tourist-focused concept was also revealed in 2022, and now concept has become reality for the official launch at the 2024 Paris Motor Show.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Electric Vehicles, City, Holiday, Retro, paris-motor-show-2024
