Category Archives: Cameras

The Next Generation of Indoor Cameras is Here

Introducing the New SimpliSafe® Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera

SimpliSafe®, maker of award-winning home security systems, today announced the launch of the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera. The camera is SimpliSafe’s most advanced camera yet and works seamlessly with the award-winning SimpliSafe® Home Security system* to make sure every inch of your home is protected around the clock.

Designed with advanced motion detection with vision AI, it’s the only indoor camera that can trigger an alarm and sound a built-in 80 dB siren for fast intruder deterrence. Instant phone alerts warn you the moment your camera detects unusual activity, so you’ll always know what’s happening at home. It can also tell the difference between people and pets, for fewer false alarms.

With 1536p HD video capture and 10x digital zoom, the new camera allows you to watch over your home in crystal clear detail both day and night. You can live stream, record, and download videos of your home on your mobile device, anytime, anywhere with the SimpliSafe® App.**

The Next Generation of Indoor Cameras is Here
The Next Generation of Indoor Cameras is Here

The camera provides privacy when you want it and protection when you need it with the automated privacy shutter. The SimpliSafe® system has three different modes – off, home and away – and this camera will integrate with the system’s modes and automatically adjust the privacy shutter depending on the setting, whist you can also adjust this via the app.

Like the rest of the SimpliSafe® system, the setup is simple. The camera is wireless, so you can easily mount it to a wall or place it on a shelf, giving you the flexibility to get the best vantage point.

A 10-foot USB charging cable is included in the box, giving you the option to have a permanent power source and eliminating any worry about recharging the camera.

The Next Generation of Indoor Cameras is Here
The Next Generation of Indoor Cameras is Here

The Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera is £139.99 and is available from SimpliSafe.co.uk.

The camera launch comes off the heels of the SimpliSafe® Gen 2 Motion Sensor which launched earlier this month. Similar to the camera, the Gen 2 Motion sensor has the advanced ability to distinguish between people and pets, with the aim to reduce false alarms.

Taking pictures in the dark – How to capture 2023 on your phone

Brits are being given tips on how to capture the perfect memories on their mobile phones during 2023!

Photography experts at ParrotPrint.com have named the seven top tips for taking the best low-light pictures as the clock strikes midnight.  

The right lighting is key to a good photograph so it can be challenging to capture memories when it’s dark.

By keeping the phone steady, making use of nearby light sources and getting acquainted with some of the smarter mobile phone features, anyone can get closer to capturing the perfect picture going in 2023

A spokesperson from Parrot Print said: “Everyone celebrating the New Year, whether at a party or watching the fireworks or just spending time with loved ones at home, wants to capture that memory on camera – the last second of 2022 and the first memory of 2023.  

“Taking a photo on a phone in the dark can be difficult and often leaves us feeling like we can’t quite capture the beautiful moment in front of us. 

“It can be hard to take a great picture at night or in darker locations as mobile phone cameras have smaller sensors than traditional cameras leading to blurry or pixelated photos.  

“The good news is you don’t necessarily need a professional camera to take great pictures at night. A lot of smartphones these days have features to help us all take better pictures as long as we know where to look.  

“You can also make use of the environment around you and set the phone up so it is as steady as you can make it before capturing that perfect nighttime picture.”  

Tips for capturing memories on New Year’s Eve:  

1. Keep your phone stable  

It doesn’t take much for a photo to appear blurry, especially if it’s taken at night so you’ll want to ensure your camera is as stable as possible. You could either invest in a handheld tripod or hold your phone with a tight grip in both hands.     

2. Download long-exposure apps   

Professional photographers tend to use longer exposure when taking pictures at night. This means the shutter speed of the camera is slower and can capture blurring motions too whilst still getting a sharp and crisp image. Although you can’t physically do this to your phone’s camera settings, you can download an app to help  

3. The flash isn’t always the solution  

When taking a picture at night or in the dark, a lot of people assume the flash will solve all their problems. Whilst this does do the trick sometimes, it’s not always the answer and can sometimes ruin the picture.   

4. Use night mode  

The majority of the latest smartphones have night mode to help enhance the pictures we take. Night mode takes several frames and then combines different elements of each to create a crisper image.  

 5. Adjust the ISO  

ISO determines how sensitive to light your camera is and essentially helps brighten or darken an image. Not all phones allow you to change the ISO but it is an option on some. The higher the ISO, the brighter the image will be.  

 6. Make use of light around you  

Depending on where you are and what you’re trying to capture you may be able to use the light around you like a lamppost or a candle. Making clever use of these light sources in a dark setting can create the perfect moody image. 

 7. Consider using editing apps  

If you feel like you still can’t capture the perfect image then there is the option to use an editing app to enhance different elements of the picture to get the result you want.  

Sandberg launches intelligent Motion Tracking Phone Mount in the UK

Danish mobile accessories brand, Sandberg A/S, is pleased to introduce its Motion Tracking Phone Mount. An intelligent phone mount with motion tracking AI that follows the user in any direction as they move, it is a great accessory for work, fitness and social media. The Sandberg Motion Tracking Phone Mount is available for £64.99 from Amazon and Sandberg.

Sandberg launches intelligent Motion Tracking Phone Mount in the UK
Sandberg launches intelligent Motion Tracking Phone Mount in the UK

The mount provides users with the ability to record or view content or meetings in a more convenient way. Featuring a 360-degree tracking rotation, the mount automatically tracks the movement of the user through motion tracking AI to ensure that the best view is always given – ideal for those who record content for social media, take part in online fitness classes, attend online meetings or presentations or simply video call friends or family.

Sandberg launches intelligent Motion Tracking Phone Mount in the UK

With an embedded and rechargeable battery that provides up to 8 hours of use, it provides users with more than enough time to record or stream anything without the need for wires or a power outlet. From taking part in exercise classes in the garden and being able to view instructions easily as the user moves around to presenting in an online meeting inside, there will be enough battery to cover any activity and it can be used anywhere. With no app needed and a universal fit for phones between 4cm and 8.5cm, as well as a tripod mount, it is convenient and able to be used by most smartphone owners.

Sandberg launches intelligent Motion Tracking Phone Mount in the UK

Sandberg is so sure of the quality of this product that they provide 5 years warranty and it is double quality tested to ensure it is up to its high standards and provides users with a great quality product for an affordable price.

The Sandberg Motion Tracking Phone Mount is available from Amazon and Sandberg for £64.99.

Trust launches the Taxon 2K QHD webcam with dual microphones, autofocus and an 80° wide angle lens

Leading value-for-money digital lifestyle accessories brand, Trust Electronics Ltd, is pleased to introduce its high-quality Taxon 2K QHD webcam into the UK market with autofocus, dual microphones and a privacy filter. The Taxon is available now on Amazon for £69.99.

The Taxon is built to deliver pixel-clear video and disturbance-free audio, so there is no need to worry about anything other than managing meetings or connecting with friends. Two integrated microphones pick up voices clearly and video captured in QHD resolution (2560×1440) with 30 frames per second. With additional support for 720p HD and 1080p Full HD, the Taxon can be used with any device.

Thanks to its wide-angle glass lens, the Taxon is well suited to making group calls and is compatible with all major video-conference software, such as Skype, Teams and Zoom. The 80-degree angle covers a wider area than a standard lens, so more than one person can fit in the video frame without needing to move or adjust the camera position. The webcam also has built-in autofocus, so it automatically pans to the person speaking.

Perfect peace of mind can be guaranteed with the ‘Taxon’s’ privacy filter, where users can be assured that privacy is safeguarded from hackers at all times by simply sliding the filter over the camera so nothing is visible.

Thanks to its wide-angle glass lens, the Taxon is well suited to making group calls and is compatible with all major video-conference software, such as Skype, Teams and Zoom. The 80-degree angle covers a wider area than a standard lens, so more than one person can fit in the video frame without needing to move or adjust the camera position. The webcam also has built-in autofocus, so it automatically pans to the person speaking.

Perfect peace of mind can be guaranteed with ‘the Taxon’s’ privacy filter, where users can be assured that privacy is safeguarded from hackers at all times by simply sliding the filter over the camera so nothing is visible.

Flash, Bang What A Picture! (The Latest Digital Imaging Device Developments You Need To Know About)

Digital imaging devices mean that we do not even have the flash anymore, let alone the bang. Things truly have come a long way. In fact, even after around 200 since the first camera was created, the imaging device industry is showing no signs of slowing down. With many new digital developments and trends being available to the general public. The most important of which you can read about in my post below.

 

Security systems 

First of all, let’s take a look at the current trends in digital security systems. Of course, digital CCTV has been around for a while now. However, with more powerful cameras on the market at a much lower price, this technology is becoming available to a much broader demographic of people. 

In fact, you can walk into just about any high street stores and pick up a good quality CCTV system like Arlo Ultra 4K UHD Wire-free system to take away. Ready to install the same day if you like, for a very reasonable price indeed. 

In terms of specific developments in this area, there is one big one that really stands out. Facial recognition and social uproar associated with it is no small thing! After all, this technology has the potential to recognise the person it is filming and track their movements. Something that is excellent news for a homeowner that wants to catch a burglar, but not so wonderful when in the hands of a totalitarian regime, as Hong Kong will testify. Then there are all the questions of personal privacy that comes along with the issue of facial recognition too. 

Luckily, we don’t have it here in the UK yet! Except we actually do because some businesses have started to use in public places such as St Martins Square In London. Of course, all of our identity data is securely encrypted and is not currently being compared to national databases unless we are involved in wrongdoing. Yet, the unease with the possibilities for misuse in this area may not outweigh the home security benefits its offers to provide. 

 

Additionally, another development to be aware of the areas of security systems is the introduction of digital doorbell technology with imaging built-in. The benefits of which are you can screen your visitors, and check the comings and goings in your home. You can even use them to appear home when you are not. The latter creating a security advantage, as burglars are very unlikely to try their luck in a property that is occupied. 

Dash Cams 

There are quite a few new trends in the area dash cams that you need to be aware of. One, in particular, that is worth knowing about it, a development called dual mirroring. A feature that allows dash cams to continue recording not just up to an accident but during as well. This being something that has two main benefits. The first of these is that it has obvious applications for establishing blame after an accident has occurred. While the second is that it can also encourage other road users to drive more safely as well. 

Then, there is the fact that many dashcams are now being built with touch screens, something that makes them vastly more comfortable and more convenient to use. Lastly, it’s worth noting that some models such as the Campark R10 are now being offered with high-resolution night vision include. Something that should help to keep the image they produce crystal clear, day or night, and so make identifying any wrongdoing on the roads that much easier.

Smartphones  

One area in which developments in digital imaging devices are leaping forward is Smartphones. Although, with many of us having them on our person at all times, it really is no surprise. 

Of course, the most apparent development here is the new iPhone 11 with its two rear-facing cameras rather than the usual one. In fact, this new dual-camera system that is equipped with night modes, and ultra-wide is the foundation on which Apple is building their marketing campaign. 

However, smartphone photography and videography enthusiasts will be doing themselves an injustice if they do not also consider the alternatives on the market as well. In fact, you can get a thorough lowdown of all the latest developments on close iPhone rivals such as the Google Pixel 3 and HTC U12+ by reading posts such as New Phone? Dare to be Different, before you make your purchase. Something that it is well worth your time, especially if you are looking to keep the price of your smartphone down, but still get some fantastic images.

Action cameras 

Robust and waterproof, action cameras such as the GoPro are built to be used out of doors. Of course, you will find that the tech is being continually pushed and developed in this area as well. In fact, one recent development in particular that many people will be interested in is the ability to live stream from such devices. This being something that will appeal to YouTubers and social media aficionados especially.

 

Finally, when it comes to digital imaging tech, the webcam is a common feature in most homes. Whether it is for catching up with relatives that live on the other side of the world or creating your latest vlogging masterpiece to be uploaded on Youtube.

However, until very recently, using a webcam was a very static affair. That is, you could only film within the cameras limited range when it was placed in a particular spot. However, that is all about to change with the advent webcams that track movement as you cross the room. 

Now, this might not sound like that much of a big deal, but it actually is. The reason being that as a viewer, you can a much more immersive and encounter with these types of digital devices. While those filming know that they do not have to concern themselves with manipulating the camera and can instead relax into a much more natural experience. Something that makes this digital imaging device trend, one that we are likely to see a lot more of in the future. 

Gadget Man – Episode 130 – Why are people not upgrading their phones as often?

Many of us will remember the halcyon days when upgrading our mobile phone handsets was a six-month event.

No so now it would seem, instead, we are waiting much longer and are clearly looking for greater incentives to part with our beloved devices and even more importantly, our money.

You can listen into my interview with James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk where I talk about why the smartphone market is slowing down. Click on the link above to hear what I had to say. 

A Short(ish) History

My first mobile phone was bought in 1993 (some 26 years ago) from Dixons in Derby. It was an NEC P100 and I think it cost me £50 and then £7.50 per month for the contract with Vodafone, no calls were included, so I paid 50p per minute if I did need to call anyone.

The phone itself ran on the old 1G analogue network at 900MHz which was very quickly superceded by the digital 2G networks split between 900MHz for Vodafone and Cellnet and the alternative 1800Mhz for Orange and Mercury One2One.

Note: if you don’t recognise many of these names, it’s because due to buyouts, rebrands and mergers, Vodafone remained, Orange became EE, Cellnet became BT Cellnet, then O2. Mercury One2One became just One2One and then changed to T-Mobile which in turn is merged with Orange to become EE. Then of course 3 launched a 3g service later on and of course, two dozen or so ‘piggy-back’ operators such as Giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Virgin etc, who don’t, in fact, run their own networks but instead using the Big Four’s network. 

So my first phone was relatively cheap in today’s terms and in fact in ‘yesterdays’ terms too. the NEC P100 was meant to be a durable portable phone which it was and I kept it for some years until the analogue network was phased out and I had to get a more modern phone. The 2G network roll-out in the UK caused a market explosion and along with it came the Nokia 5110 and then 3310 phones which completely dominated the marketplace.

This explosion in popularity came with reasonably cheap phones with cheap and short contracts, this meant that phones could be renewed quite regularly and soon cupboards would start filling up with unwanted and out of date devices, fuelling development and in reality, a war between manufacturers and networks to provide more and more functionality. Heading this surge was Orange and O2 who had struck up a deal with little known manufacturer HTC to produce the very first Microsoft Windows CE based ‘Smartphones’, long before the birth of the iPhone.

HTC was at the time manufacturing the Compaq and HP iPaq Pocket PC and by adding cellular functionality, the Orange SPV (Sounds, Pictures and Video) and O2 XDA (extended PDA) began to be sold and the Smartphone was born.

Suddenly our dumb phones became ‘Smartphones’ and with it rapidly increasing prices. These costs had to be passed onto consumers via increased contracts with longer minimum terms (mainly to allow for the handset and network infrastructure costs to be absorbed ). Minimum six-month contracts became twelve, then eighteen, then twenty-four months. All of this was necessary to pay for the device and network overheads!

The phone networks began bundling minutes (and later, data), in part to placate phone users who were starting to become caught up in the ever increasing contract times.  Subsequently, devices became more expensive, resulting in more expensive contracts.

With the launch of Apple’s iPhone, O2 and T-Mobile began offering ‘all you can eat’ data plans in order for these data-hungry devices to take advantage of the vast amount of content appearing. Once the iPhone 3G was launched, with its ability to consume vast amounts of bandwidth and data, the all-you-can-eat model was scrapped or altered with ‘acceptable usage’ policies to limit data consumption, unless you were prepared to pay more.

Now that the smartphone had become established as a Super-Gadget, the manufacturers began an ‘Arms-Race’ to establish themselves as the Go-To brand in the multi-billion dollar marketplace, the likes of Apple, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, LG, Sony and HTC began pumping billions into product development, patent registrations, cross-licensing and all-out war!

In turn, the Smartphone industry has driven bigger, better, faster and more costly devices into the consumers’ hands! Meanwhile, in China, Xiaomi, Huawei and Honor are producing comparable and in some cases, better products, the market is now awash with products that were once competing with each other but are now blurring their differences making it difficult to see the differences

Summing Up

We now have a smart-device marketplace with astoundingly high-quality handsets costing £1000 plus! How can we justify paying over £100 a month for a mobile phone contract, when we are struggling to differentiate between ‘last-years’ model?

What is needed now is for the manufacturers to take a breath! They need to find out what their customers really want. Maybe we are becoming tired and bewildered of being told what functions we need by these companies and it’s time for them to start listening to their consumers.

Matt Porter
The Gadget Man

 

 

 

 

The Gadget Man – Episode 117 – The benefits of Dashcams

Dashcams have officially become commonplace in society. As more and more drivers use our roads, the chances of accidents increase and being able to accurately document such unfortunate incidents has become more important than ever, especially with the rise in fraudulent claims.

I spoke to Mark Murphy on BBC Radio Suffolk about the use of dashcams and also helmet cams for cyclists and my personal recollections of having to use video evidence to report a motorist.

Image Credit: SWNS

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Gadget Man – Review – Transcend DrivePro 550 – Driver and Passenger Safety, both inside and out

I’ve been doing a lot of driving over the past few weeks and consequently, I’ve had the chance to test a few different gadgets that help to keep us safe and use a variety of different methods to track the driving habits of both ourselves and others. This month’s review is the Transcend DrivePro 550 dashcam, a camera that not only films ahead of your vehicle, but also features a 180° rotatable second camera to capture the interior of a vehicle and provides protection for both driver and passengers.

As with other Transcend cameras, the DrivePro 550 was exceedingly easy to install. The camera comes with a powerful suction mount and a very long Micro USB power cable with built-in 12v plug allowing for permanent installation in most vehicles. A 32gb MicroSD card is also supplied in the packaged, which gives hours of video footage capture.

The front-facing camera features a Sony 1080p image sensor with a wide angle lens recording at 30fps. The second rotatable camera is packed with four infrared LED’s which automatically trigger in low light or night. Both give extremely good results with the second camera recording 720p video. The dashcam recording 2 separate videos concurrently, timestamping them and adding geo-tagging information using both GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking which gives very accurate positioning information.

The front facing camera using special Wide Dynamic Range technology, which equalises both dark and light areas of the video to ensure that bright skies are not blown out and darker parts easy to recognise. The results were excellent!

Aside from simply recording video footage, the DrivePro 550 also features a WiFi mode which allows you to connect to the camera using your smartphone or tablet via Transcends own app. You can then video live footage on a larger screen or access the video files already recorded and transfer them to your device. I noted that I could only display either front or rear facing cameras, not both at the same time using the app. I could, however, see both on the rear built-in 2.4” colour TFT screen.

The camera comes with a built-in battery which ensures continued video recording in event of an accident or in ‘parking mode’. The camera can detect accidents and record the video in ‘emergency mode’, making it much more difficult to delete. Parking mode can be used to detect movement in the field of view of the camera and begin recording whilst you are away from the car.

Other useful settings are ‘lane departure’ warning, forward collision warning (when you get too close to the car in front), a heads-up display for current speed, headlight warning and driver fatigue reminders.

What sets this camera apart from standard dashcams is the interior facing camera, a feature which would appeal to delivery companies, transport providers, taxi and chauffeur companies. It allows for the recording of driver behaviour to ensure appropriate behaviour and both driver and passenger safety, I thought it was a great feature and the addition of infrared cameras makes it superb for night driving.

The camera is priced reasonably at around £140 and can be ordered from Amazon using this link: https://amzn.to/2S829d8

 

Matt Porter
The Gadget Man

Gadget Man – Episode 116 – Digital Photo Overload

Twenty years ago, we all relied on photographic film when taking pictures of friends, family or interesting places and landmarks. We were always very careful how and when we took these photos as at the time exposures were limited to either 24 or 36, there was also the case of having the photos developed by the nearest lab. The entire process would take from days to weeks depending on whether we were to wait until our return from our holidays.

Oh, how things have changed! We can now snap away with abandon and anything and everything! There is now no limit to how many photos we take, the storage on our cameras or phones allowing for thousands. If we do begin to fill up our devices, we can push these photos to ‘the cloud’ and start again.

In this episode, I speak to BBC Radio Suffolk about how many photos we now store and how we can safely store them away for future generations. I also talk about the possibility of hardware failure which can result in the loss of our memories.

 

Gadget Man – Episode 112 – Too Much Smartphone!

The Genie is now officially out of the bottle! We use our smartphones too much!

Most of us will already know this though, how could we miss it? You only have to travel on buses, trains and planes to see myriads of people sitting quietly staring at their smart phones, glued to Facebook, Snapchat or Twitter, scrolling through the latest news.

In restaurants alongside the place settin will sit a smartphone, ready at a moments notice to be snatched up and used to photograph a plate of food of a group selfie.

At rock concerts, the crowd is now lit up by mobile phone screens at they live stream or record a band whilst watching on those same screens, perhaps forgetting to watch and enjoy the band live rather than by proxy.

A designated 'Cellphone Sidewalk' in Chongqing, China. Photo credit: China Daily/Reuters
A designated ‘Cellphone Sidewalk’ in Chongqing, China.
Photo credit: China Daily/Reuters

In homes across the world, millions of people are sitting scrolling through their devices, then standing and walking into the kitchen, the phone still in front of their faces, then to bed, when finally after another 10 minutes of messaging, the phone is plugged in to finally rest and recharge, it’s peace only broken in the middle of the night as a hand reaches out to grab it and check Facebook.

Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are one of the most popular smart phones in the UK
Apple iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are one of the most popular smart phones in the UK
Image Credit: Apple

As morning breaks, a sleepy hand reaches out, slowly grabs the device and the day begins again.

This information overload is affecting peoples brains, our bodies are fooled by the blue light from an LCD screen and now we believe it is daylight 24 hours a day. We are conditioned to rely on our devices for everything, for affirmation from our friends, to give that affirmation back in a pre-formatted ‘Sending Hugs 🤗🤗🤗’ .

So, have we forgotten how to communicate? Are we now so reliant on our smartphones, that we no longer feel the need to use it for it’s original purpose? That of speaking to people and conveying our true feelings without relying on pre-programmed ’emotions’ invented by clever people in California.

Samsung Galaxy S9 with Infinity display
Samsung Galaxy S9 with Infinity display providing vast displays in the palm of your hand.
Image Credit: Samsung

Time will tell, but no amount of intervention by software giants will put that Genie back. We as a race have to take that step.

I spoke to Mark Murphy at BBC Radio Suffolk about the obsession with smart phones this morning. Listen to the stream above, I would love to read your comments on the subject.

Matt Porter
Gadget Man

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