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Tag: camera-phone

  • Samsung Primes App Store and 12-megapixel Camera Phone


    Samsung is to launch a mobile applications online store later this month at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

    It also has a host of handsets lined up for their debut in Spain, including what is being touted as the world’s first 12-megapixel camera phone.

    The app store is expected to launch with 1,100 applications for Samsung S60 and Windows Mobile devices.

    It will initially only be for UK customers.

    In a refreshing move, the online store will have no initial or ongoing costs for developers associated with marketing or hosting software.

    Samsung will allow freeware to be distributed at no cost to the developer.

    If or when the app store is to be enlarged to other markets is not clear, nor are Samsung’s plans to support other platforms.

    As well as the launch of the 12-megapixel camera phone in Barcelona, Samsung is expected to announce an upgrade to its 8-megapixel Innov8 camera phone, possibly with a nifty 3.5" zoom lens.

  • Sensor Doubles Camera Phone Low-Light Performance


    Aptina has launched a new sensor for high-end 5-megapixel camera phones that promises to double performance in low-light situations.

    Called the MT9P013 5MP image sensor, it also promises to provide high quality video recording capabilities supporting up to 720p HD video at 60 frames per second and full 5-megapixel resolution video at 15fps.

    To achieve this, the new 1.75-micron pixel, 1/3.2 inch optical format sensor leverages the same light-capturing technology Aptina is integrating into its 1.4-micron image sensors.

    Aptina expects mass production of the MT9P013 to begin at the end of January 2009.

    Other MT9P013 Key Features:

    • high frame rate
    • data output options include a high throughput 2-lane MIPI serial interface capable of 1500 Mbps or greater and a parallel interface with throughput of 96Mb/sec x 12 bits.
    • The output options combined with the sensor’s input clock for the PLL enable users to consider a variety of ISP solutions, including the MT9S311, Aptina’s ISP solution designed specifically for manufacturers integrating Aptina 5MP sensors.

  • Scalado Promises Next Generation Of Mobile Photography


    Shutter lag is one of the biggest gripes about taking photos on a camera phone – especially on higher resolution handsets.

    So it was interesting to hear first hand Scalado’s take on a solution to that particular problem.

    Appropriately called the Scalado Camera Solution, it enables zero-shutter lag, burst capturing and instant zoom/pan in the camera.

    The new technology also promises to improve JPEG image handling performance by effectively managing the large files produced by high-resolution images.

    Smartphone.biz-news was given a glimpse of the product by Mats Jacobson and Sami Niemi, respectively CEO and CTO of Scalado, at the recent Smartphone Show in London.

    Niemi demonstrated the possibilities the technology offers, including snapping three images in a row with no shutter lag and a speedy shot-to-shot time.

    As well as ensuring users don’t miss that "moment", his demo showed the product’s ability to instantly zoom into the resulting JPEG image to review the details of the photo in real-time.

    He said manufacturers would now be able to offer real-time viewing and capturing of high-resolution images, totally eliminating shutter lag.

    "This is the kind of user experience we want – where everything is instant," he said. "You can see all the details and have the shot you wanted. This is the next generation of imaging."

    This is all good news for phone manufactuers especially following research from Strategy Analytics showing that a quality camera is the primary mobile phone add-on for which consumers in the US and Western Europe would be willing to pay – and willing to pay the most – compared to other mobile device features.

    The Scalado Camera Solution is based on two products: the SpeedTags IP and the Scalado Camera Engine.

    The former is a minimal modification to the HW JPEG encoder that enables the encoder to produce modified JPEG images, referred to as SpeedTagged JPEGs.

    Several camera sensors and camera modules for camera phones are already embedding the SpeedTags IP, such as sensors from both Aptina, OmniVision Samsung and MtekVision.

    Jacobson said that as well as addressing the missed shots problem, the Camera Solution dealt with other !! usability problems !! including:

    • slow image browsing
    • slow zooming
    • inability to edit mpx images in full resolution
    • long shot-to-shot times

  • iPhone rivals beef up camera offerings


    The launch by Samsung in the UK this week of what it claims is Europe’s first 8 megapixel camera phone is being seen as an attempt to highlight shortcomings in the iPhone.

    A number of other handset vendors are preparing to launch similar high-end camera phones in time for the Christmas period.

    Sony Ericsson is expected to launch the 8.1 megapixel C905 in the fall, while Nokia and LG are reported to be planning similar moves.
    The fact Apple’s 3G iPhone only packs a 2 megapixel camera is regarded as one of its key weakness.

    Samsung’s i8510 will be available in the UK through Carphone Warehouse and free on a £35 a month contract with Orange UK.
    The smartphone is being positioned as a genuine alternative to digital cameras.

    Mark Mitchinson, vice president for Samsung, said the cell phone industry was playing catch-up, selling only 4 and 5 megapixel camera phones.

    “But the 8 megapixel is a new milestone, I think the vast majority of consumers will see it as a credible alternative,” he said.
    “For the first time ever you will not need to carry a camera as well as a phone on your holidays.”

    The i8510 is based on Symbian’s Series 60 platform and includes HSPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, GPS and FM radio functionality.

  • Samsung launches 8-megapixel smartphone

    i8510 – or the Innov8 – offers strong combination of business and entertainment features

    Samsung has launched the i8510, its first 8-megapixel camera phone, which comes with autofocus features, face recognition, image stabilizer, and flash.

    The smartphone uses the Symbian v9.3 operating system and features on-board software that allows users to edit and personalise photos.

    The camera records video at 30 frames per second and comes with a secondary camera to make video calls.

    For mobile professionals, the Innov8 offers multiple ways to connect. It’s HSDPA-compatible, so users outwith the US can get a maximum downlink speed of 7.2 Mbps.

    There’s also integrated Wi-Fi for high-speed connection, and an EDGE connection. The smartphone can receive push e-mail, has an HTML browser, and is Bluetooth-capable.

    Although lacking a touch-enabled display, its 2.8-inch LCD screen has an accelerometer sensor, and it can be navigated with a 4-way navigation key and an optical mouse. Samsung did not elaborate on how the optical mouse would be implemented.

    The Innov8 has an integrated GPS that can be used to geo-tag photos, as well as utilise cellular data for assisted-GPS services.
    Handsets come with 8 or 16 GB of memory on-board and that can be expanded up to 8 GB via the microSD slot.

    On the multimedia side, the Innov8 has a host of options. The handset, which has a standard headphone jack, can play multiple audio formats, and it has a built-in FM radio. The video player is capable of playing many codecs, including DivX.

    Measuring 4.2 by 2.1 by .7 inches, the Innov8 will be launched in Europe in August, with global release to follow in September.
    No details have so far been released on pricing.