Pixel 2: A Google phone for the post-bezel generation?

The first round of Pixel 2 rumors claim an entirely predictable array of upgrades. What's going to make the next-gen Googlephones exciting?

Google's first Pixel phones are barely 3 months old, but already we're starting to hear the first rumors of what the next generation of Pixels will bring. Reports from 9to5 point to (entirely unsurprising) improvements to the camera and CPU, along with a slight price bump and possible water resistance.

That's all well and good, but those are things I could've taken a guess at at any point after the Pixel's release. Obvious feature omissions (water resistance) will be addressed. The usual parts will get a yearly refresh. And further progress will be made in the areas where the current Pixels excel, like camera performance.

Here's the more interesting question: What's coming in these next-gen Pixels to bring the fight to phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8? And what'll be Google's take on the major smartphone trends of 2017, like AI, minimal bezels, and the looming possibility of 4K displays?

Dem bezels.

The current Pixels are at odds with the coming wave of handsets, like the Galaxy S8 and LG G6, with the tiniest sliver of a border around the display. The iPhone is said to be going that same way — one of many rumored upgrades for that phone's tenth anniversary. Google had a relatively easy time against a relatively boring iPhone upgrade cycle in 2016, but the iPhone 8 is going to be another matter altogether.

The obvious path for Google to take is the one now being worn by Samsung and LG — keep the phone roughly the same size, bump up the display dimensions significantly, and in the process switch to a weird new (taller) aspect ratio. (The other, less likely option, is to lop the top and bottom bezels off and have less space for things like the battery and camera.)

Google's gotta do something with an extra-tall phone, right?

So then the question becomes: What will Google do with an extra-tall Android phone? The company has often used its own handsets to show what's next for the ecosystem as a whole — features like NFC and USB Type-C made their debut in Nexus devices. So there's a possibility that Google may choose to do something extra with a new, taller aspect ratio and code it in at the OS level so other manufacturers can build upon it. We've already seen some possibilities in LG V20's "second screen", although none of these approached killer app status. Equally, a taller screen might simply serve to make multi-window more palatable on a phone-sized device. Things can become a little claustrophobic, even on the 5.5-inch Pixel XL.

With a new (and sure to be heavily hyped) iPhone on the way, a new, hungrier Samsung fielding a Note 8 in the third quarter, and leaner upstarts like OnePlus becoming stronger, it'll be fascinating to see how Google reacts.

Will it run into a sophomore slump? Or will the second-gen Pixels retain the crown? Stick with us in the coming months to find out!

Source: Pixel 2: A Google phone for the post-bezel generation?

9 paid iPhone apps on sale for free for a limited time

Against all odds, it looks like we're going to make it through the first month of 2017 somewhat intact. To celebrate, let's all jump on the App Store and download a bunch of free apps for our iPhone and iPads.

These are paid iPhone and iPad apps that have been made available for free for a limited time by their developers. There is no way to tell how long they will be free. These sales could end an hour from now or a week from now — obviously, the only thing we can guarantee is that they were free at the time this post was written. If you click on a link and see a price listed next to an app instead of the word "get," it is no longer free. The sale has ended. If you download the app, you will be charged.

ManCam

Normally $0.99.

ManCam is the most simple and easy to use Custom exposure Manual Camera for your iPhone.

A powerful camera app with full control over your image. Quickly and simply adjust all parameters of your image. No more tapping and hoping to get a good shot. Do what you want the way you wan tit. You are in full control!

Full independent control of

• Shutter• Zoom (only for iPhone 5 and higher)• ISO• White Balance• Focus• Exposure Compensation• Timer Shot

If you're a photographer tired of trying to tap your way to the exposure you want, then this is the app for you. Fighting to get the sweet spot between a blown out background and a silhouetted subject? Stop tapping and just set the ISO and shutter yourself, you know how, stop letting your silly pocket computer decide what looks good to you.

Download ManCam

Pokemap with Radar Scanner

Normally $0.99.

Using PoGoMaps for Pokemon GO is extremely simple. You can view all of the nearby Pokemon in your area that have been discovered by your self and other players on the map, along with the times of day they were found.

If you're trying to find a specific Pokemon's location, you can quickly use the "Filter" feature to find the nearest one.

Download Pokemap with Radar Scanner

FotoMed

Normally $0.99.

FotoMed is a handy mobile medical reference, medical image search and photo comparison tool for health tracking.

One picture worth thousands of words. In the case of medical information, FotoMed's medical image search capability makes the understanding of medical issues much easier.

FotoMed is an innovative iPhone medical and health tool for you to monitor and track your own conditions, educate yourself, and improve your health awareness.

1. Look up medical reference.FotoMed has a well indexed access to medical reference provided by MedlinePlus, a service of the US National Library.

2. Search medical information with illustrative images.FotoMed provides you a customized search tool for medical information, medical images in particular, from trusted web sites.

3. FotoMed helps you to track your own pictures and medical images you find from the Web and medical reference.

4. FotoMed allows you to compare your photo with health and medical images from trusted web resources, or compare your own photos (such as skin conditions) taken at different times.

5. Within FotoMed, you can take pictures with phone camera, select photos from Photo Logger, existing Camera Roll, or get medical images from web. You can zoom in/out, rotate, pan photo/image for better viewing experience. You can tap a picture to view it with more transparency. This allows you to compare two overlapped images.

All in all, FotoMed is a great tool for proactive wellness and healthcare approach.(Keywords: Acne, skin care, medical logger, health news, medical dictionary, medical reference, medical search)

Download FotoMed

True Visage

Normally $0.99.

True Visage is an unique mirror app. Unlike other apps of the kind True Visage provides you not only with a common mirrored picture, but also with a real un-mirrored image and video of you. Now you can see yourself through other people's eyes!

Check your looks before an important meeting or making a video call on FaceTime, Skype, Facebook or dating websites. Make both mirrored and un-mirrored pictures and videos. Take pics for your profiles on Facebook and other social networks and stay cute in any life situation.

FEATURES– Mirrored & un-mirrored live video and photos– Both Face and Back cameras– Built-in Flashlight utility– Night mode backlights– Save photos to camera roll

Download True Visage

Cleaner Pro

Normally $3.99.

MAIN FEATURES○ Find & Merge duplicate contacts!○ Remove contacts without name or phone number○ One tap to backup your contacts!○ Quickly find the contacts you need

Your contacts are the most important data in your phone which easily becomes messy if not consistently updated.Cleaner Pro easily helps you detect and merge duplicate contacts.

SIMPLY MERGE DUPLICATE CONTACTS○ Find & Merge duplicate contacts!○ Find & merge contacts with similar names.○ Find & Merge contacts with duplicate phone or email.

CLEANUP○ Remove contacts without name○ Remove contacts without phone & email

BACKUP○ One tap to backup your contacts!○ Quickly export your backups to Dropbox, Google Drive, Email○ Move contacts between accounts (Exchange, iCloud, Local Address Book)

SMART FILTERS○ Quickly find the contacts you need○ Filter contacts by Company & Job title○ Filter contacts by upcoming birthday & creation date

Download Cleaner Pro

wakerapper

Normally $0.99.

The world's smartest alarm that checks real-time traffic and factors in your morning routine to calculate your optimum bed & wake up time.

Includes an intelligent nap timer with preset recommended nap lengths so you don't over sleep or get a sleep hangover.

Pair a sleep sensor to enable soundless alarm! Wake up with gradual lights and taps instead of a loud, disruptive alarm.

Download wakerapper

YoWindow Weather

Normally $0.99.

Accurate, beautiful weather with landscapes depicting weather, sky, season.

YoWindow is a unique new weather app. The magic of YoWindow is a living landscape that reflects your actual weather. For instance, if it's raining – it rains in YoWindow.

The sunset and the sunrise in YoWindow happens at exactly the same time as in real life.

But the great thing is you can scroll the time forward. Just swipe the screen and you will see how the weather is going to change throughout the day.

Simple!All the weather at your fingertips. You see the current weather, the forecast for today and for several days ahead.

Beautiful!State of the art landscapes change depending on the season. The artwork is designed down to the smallest detail. Choose a landscape that fits best for your area.

Handy!YoWindow is a window in your pocket =)

The weather forecast is provided by yr.no and NWS – the leading meteorological organizations.

Download YoWindow Weather

Expresser

Normally $1.99.

We believe in thinking and expressing ourselves differently. We challenged ourselves to create a beautifully designed, simple to use, and user-friendly app.

You're going to absolutely LOVE this product! We've made it easy to express real emotions and expressions to family and friends through beautiful unique "expresser" emojis and stickers! Users get an opportunity to discover the origin of infamous viral photos, internet memes, GIFS, and funny facial expression pictures!

They say pictures are worth a thousand words… real-life emoji expressions and stickers are worth a million!

Lighten up any text message conversation with a simple click of a button!

Download Expresser

Wood Stacker

Normally $0.99.

As planks of wood come flying in, time your landing perfectly to retain the size of the tower boards. Successfully stack each incoming plank and continue to proceed upwards. As your timing becomes more consistent, your towers potential to ascend increases. The more wood you stack, the taller your tower. The taller your tower, the higher you score! Do you have what it takes to command these building blocks of cellulose high up into the sky? Test your mental acuity in this fun and addicting brain-game for kids and adults of all ages.

Stack the wood as high as you can! Tap your screen at the precise moment that the wood passes by to continue your ascension into the sky and beyond!

Download Wood Stacker

Source: 9 paid iPhone apps on sale for free for a limited time

ManCam - Manual Camera With Custom Controls & Exposure

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iTunes is the world's easiest way to organize and add to your digital media collection.

iTunes est introuvable sur votre ordinateur. Pour télécharger l'app gratuite « ManCam - Manual Camera With Custom Controls & Exposure » par Saliha Bhutta, téléchargez iTunes.

iTunes pour Mac et PC

Par Saliha Bhutta

Ouvrez iTunes pour acheter et télécharger des apps.

Description

*** FREE 2 DAYS ONLY ***

ManCam is the most simple and easy to use Custom exposure Manual Camera for your iPhone.

A powerful camera app with full control over your image. Quickly and simply adjust all parameters of your image. No more tapping and hoping to get a good shot. Do what you want the way you wan tit. You are in full control!

Full independent control of

• Shutter• Zoom (only for iPhone 5 and higher)• ISO• White Balance• Focus• Exposure Compensation• Timer Shot

If you're a photographer tired of trying to tap your way to the exposure you want, then this is the app for you. Fighting to get the sweet spot between a blown out background and a silhouetted subject? Stop tapping and just set the ISO and shutter yourself, you know how, stop letting your silly pocket computer decide what looks good to you.

Be better than automatic. Shoot Manual!!

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Catégorie: Photo et vidéo

Sortie: 10 août 2015

Version : 1.0

Taille : 1.5 Mo

Langue : Anglais

Éditeur : Saliha Bhutta

© Simplegames

Compatibilité : Nécessite iOS 8.0 ou une version ultérieure. Compatible avec l'iPhone, l'iPad et l'iPod touch.

Source: ManCam - Manual Camera With Custom Controls & Exposure

Pearl RearVision Backup Camera review

In April 2014, the federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) put into effect a new regulation that requires all automobile manufacturers to add backup cameras to vehicles by May 2018. But until the mandated deadline, backup cameras are still offered as an option or exclusive feature, with some manufacturers charging upward of a thousand dollars to add the functionality as part of a more luxury trim package.

There are plenty of third-party backup cameras on the market that are more affordable, but a vast majority of cameras use wires for power and connectivity; wires that often require the need to drill through various parts of your vehicle. And the few wireless cameras that are on the market tend to be subpar in image quality and resolution.

To provide a best-in-class after-market solution, Pearl developed a completely wireless backup camera called RearVision. Pearl's approach hits on all of the weak points of current backup cameras: RearVision is entirely wireless, dead simple to install, uses your smartphone as a high-resolution display, offers collision alerts, and relies on both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity to transfer live images on the fly.

Note: The RearVision will only work in 1996-model-year cars or newer that have a 12V OBD-II port. You should check your vehicle before purchasing.

Installation and setup

Despite our love for DIY projects and tinkering, the idea of drilling holes through a vehicle is far from appealing. So, RearVision's no-drill setup is enticing.

Pearl says the RearVision takes ten minutes to set up. We managed to do so in about five – two of which was spent finding a screwdriver to remove the license plate – so installation took no effort, even for novices. The camera is out-of-the-box ready, with helpful illustrated instructions.

Once you've removed the license plate (and any cover it might have had), the process is as simple as attaching a metal frame around the license plate and securing it back in place. The main RearVision unit, which contains two cameras (one for day, and another to help it see at night; more on this later) is then attached to the frame with a single security torx screw. That's it. Unfortunately, you will have to say good-bye to the old cover that proudly proclaims your alma mater, or that your other car is a Porsche.

The next step is to pair the RearVision to your smartphone, which requires downloading Pearl's RearVision app (Android and iOS) and plugging in the RearVision adapter into your vehicle's OBD II port, which is usually located below the steering column. All of the video processing and transmission of data is done by the OBD II port. Inside the small device is an eight-core processor and wireless connectivity to act as a middleman for video transmission, when you shift your car into reverse.

The kit also includes a phone mount that attaches to your car's dash or vent, and your phone via a magnet.

After a brief onboarding process within the app, the RearVision backup camera is good to go.

Experience

Our expectations for the RearVision were incredibly high. After all, you're paying $500 for a device that you'll use every time you put your vehicle into reverse. Even though the RearVision is more affordable and less invasive than other after-market options, it's far from cheap.

But even with the bar set high, RearVision managed to reach it. With its 175-degree field of view and onscreen lines for guiding, backing out a 2012 Buick Verano went from being a former pain-in-the-neck to not only convenient, but enjoyable. The wide field of view made it easy to see anything and everything behind the vehicle.

With its 175-degree field of view, backing out went from painful to convenient and enjoyable.

If an object or person gets too close for comfort, the RearVision will beep through its OBD II adapter and display a little water drop effect over the video – on top of where the obstacle is located. The sound is loud enough to get your attention – even with the radio on – and the ripple effect is a subtle visual cue that helps distinguish the obstacle from surrounding areas.

When your phone is positioned horizontally, the RearVision app shows you the full, wide-angle feed across the entire screen. When positioned vertically, the app shows two images: the entire 175-degree overview of what RearVision sees, and another above it that lets you choose from three separate locations of said video feed to zoom into for a closer look.

For us, the standout feature is the RearVision's video quality. During daylight, the video is absolutely astounding, especially when paired with a larger phone, such as an iPhone 7 Plus or Google Pixel XL. There is obvious distortion around the edges of the video, but that's to be expected with such a wide-angle lens in front of its small 1/3-inch CMOS sensor. Besides that, the picture is clear as can be and capable of picking up even the smallest obstacles – like your kitten that somehow snuck outside.

The camera also performs well at night. One of the two cameras housed inside the framing has an infrared sensor. When using RearVision at night, the system automatically switches to this camera and uses the rear-facing lights of your vehicle to illuminate the path behind it.

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The image quality for both day and night is impeccable, as long as the connection is strong. It's important to note how the RearVision operates in terms of transmitting the live video footage. The default method of video transmission is Wi-Fi. When Wi-Fi isn't working for some reason or another, the system reverts to Bluetooth.

In the two months we've been using the device, we can only recall three times when it switched to Bluetooth (a notification pops up letting you know it's using Bluetooth over Wi-Fi). And during these moments, we did notice a substantial decrease in video quality, but it was still good enough to see what was behind the vehicle.

If you're wondering how the cameras are powered without wiring, it's possible thanks to an internal battery that's continually charged, via integrated solar panels beneath the frame. Even on the cloudy days, the RearVision worked without problem and never showed any signs of a low battery.

More: Yada Backup Camera with Dash Monitor review

The only issue we encountered with the RearVision was visibility in less than ideal situations. For example, when it was raining, the light used to illuminate the vehicle's license plate caused the beads of water on the lenses to light up extremely bright, making the video feed all but unusable. It's worth noting though that this wasn't so much RearVision's fault, as it was more the shape of the Verano's rear end. For some reason, the rear bumper is angled in such a way that the lenses on the RearVision unit were more exposed, both to rain and the license plate light. On most other vehicles the unit wouldn't be nearly as exposed, which should prevent this from happening.

Pearl says the RearVision takes ten minutes to set up. We managed to do so in about five.

To promote safe driving, and to adhere to specific laws, Pearl limits RearVision to operating only when you're driving 10 miles per hour or less. When you aren't backing up, the RearVision app switches to its dashboard interface, which offers customizable shortcuts to your most-used apps on your phone. Our setup, for example, includes Apple Music, Apple Maps, and Waze. It's a clever app design that simplifies the process when you plan on using other apps for your drive.

On Android, you can set up RearVision to automatically open when you get in the car. On iOS you're limited to a push notification when you get in your vehicle, but a simple swipe takes you directly into the app.

If you're new to backup cameras in general, there will be a bit of a learning curve. Trusting the camera over your mirrors takes a little getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.

Warranty information

Pearl offers a three-year warranty, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee. If your RearVision becomes defective during regular use, Pearl will either repair or replace the unit. This warranty is transferrable in the event a RearVision unit is sold as part of a used car, but the warranty date is still based on the original purchase date.

Our Take

The RearVision, price wise, sits somewhere in the middle: It isn't the most affordable backup camera out there, but it's also not out of reach. It's without a doubt the least invasive and most impressive option across the board.

Is there a better alternative?

Compared to what we've seen in the market – in both specs and usability – there's nothing like it. If cost is the biggest factor in your purchase, you'll be able to find a more affordable option, but you'll be sacrificing the simplicity of setup and the quality of video, which we think justify the cost.

How long will it last?

Theoretically, a RearVision unit will last as long as Pearl continues to support the specific model through its app. There aren't a great deal of failure points on the unit, but depending on the region you'll be driving, the elements might take their toll overtime. Pearl is a new startup, so we don't have any historical data to reference, but the company was founded by three former Apple engineers, if that is any comfort.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you're in the market for a backup camera and don't want to worry about drilling through your vehicle, the RearVision is a wonderful buy. It's slightly expensive for a single-purpose gadget that you don't use all the time, but unlike other backup cameras, there's no hidden installation costs or cumbersome rigging to get it working, which alone makes it worth the price – even more so if it could save you from being in an accident.

Source: Pearl RearVision Backup Camera review

Fake Netflix App Lets Hackers Read Your Texts and Take X-Rated Pictures

Computer security experts have issued a warning about a convincing fake version of the Netflix app for Android – which is actually spy software made by hackers.

The app allows hackers to activate the microphone and camera on infected devices – potentially taking obscene pictures.

It also harvests data from the device – giving hackers access to photos, text messages and contacts lists.

The app also has the ability to delete antivirus applications off an infected device – and send files to hackers over the internet.

Security experts Zscaler describe it as a 'a well-crafted piece of spyware we're calling SpyNote RAT'.

Shivang Desai, a security researcher at Zscaler, wrote: 'As soon as the user clicks the spyware's icon for the first time, nothing seems to happen and the icon disappears from the home screen.

This is a common trick played by malware developers, making the user think the app may have been removed. But, behind the scenes, the malware has not been removed; instead it starts preparing its onslaught of attacks.

'The iOS and Android apps for Netflix are enormously popular, effectively turning a mobile device into a television with which users can stream full movies and TV programs anytime, anywhere.

'But the apps, with their many millions of users, have captured the attention of the bad actors, too, who are exploiting the popularity of Netflix to spread malware.'

The app has been found on unofficial app stores, and Zscaler recommend only installing apps from official app stores such as Google Play.

Source: Fake Netflix App Lets Hackers Read Your Texts and Take X-Rated Pictures

Google adds instant Japanese translation to Translate's iPhone camera-based Word Lens

  Google Translate has received an update that adds support for Japanese to the iOS app's augmented reality Word Lens feature, one that allows users to see Japanese words and phrases replaced by English equivalents when viewed through an iPhone or iPad's camera.

The Word Lens function effectively allows for instant translations via the camera, with recognized text overlaid in the camera's live view by another selected by the user. The app is extremely useful for travelers needing quick translations of signs and menus, with translations all performed on the mobile device without requiring a data connection.

Google advises the app was previously capable of performing translations from Japanese to English via the camera, but only by taking a photograph and highlighting text areas that need to be translated. In today's update, this option is still available, but enables the live Word Lens function for the language.

The feature is meant for brief phrases and words, to convey the general meaning of the message rather than an exact translation. It is possible to get a live translation for a long passage of text, but the translation is likely to be inaccurate and disjointed when viewed in this way.

Word Lens was originally its o wn standalone app, but Google acquired developer Quest Visual in 2014 before quickly incorporating the app's technology into Google Translate. Shortly before the acquisition, Word Lens was promoted in an ad for the iPhone 5, with the "Powerful" commercial briefly demonstrating the app translating a road sign for the user.

The addition of Japanese support means the app can now translate text live through Word Lens in 30 languages. Google Translate is also able to translate a total of 103 languages by typing, and has offline translation abilities for 52 languages.

Source: Google adds instant Japanese translation to Translate's iPhone camera-based Word Lens

Adobe Updates App Suite For Chromebooks

Today, Adobe announced that they are updating most of their existing Android apps with Chromebooks in mind.

According to Adobe:

We've made some optimizations to these apps to take advantage of Chromebooks' unique benefits, including: faster load time, optimizing the apps for Chromebook screen size, enabling the Escape key and the Back button, Chromebook camera support, and adding selected keyboard shortcuts.

We will be testing these apps over the next few weeks and will report back with how well they work on different Chromebooks, but that really isn't the most exciting part here.

Why This Is Exciting

A company like Adobe holds certain keys, as it were. When people deride Chromebooks, the lack of Photoshop is a point often cited as a weak point for the platform.

While we aren't fully sure what the changes and updates are behind the scenes, it is clear that Adobe is taking Chrome OS and Android seriously now. Updating their apps to take advantage of Chromebooks specifically points to the fact that Adobe sees promise and worth in creating a great suite of apps for Chromebooks.

Sure, for now it isn't exactly full-blown Photoshop or Illustrator, but the fact that Adobe is taking this step and publicly announcing it is fantastic. Up until now, they've had little reason to make this move.

With Android on Chromebooks, they now have the needed delivery motivation and delivery method.

What becomes even more encouraging when you stop and think about it is the fact that, before they are fully available, we are seeing a major developer begin to take notice and make adjustments to their apps BECAUSE of the Playstore's arrival.

We've talked ad nauseum about this being the tipping point to Chromebooks really exploding in the consumer market, and to see this shift already begin is beyond exciting.

As we said, we will spend some time with these apps and let you know how things work out on a few different Chromebooks in the coming weeks.

Until then, be excited that developers are taking note. Chromebooks are here to play ball!

Related

Source: Adobe Updates App Suite For Chromebooks

How to fix Samsung Galaxy S7 that shows “Unfortunately, Camera has stopped” error after Android 7 Nougat update [Troubleshooting Guide]

Understand what the error "Unfortunately, Camera has stopped" means, why your #Samsung Galaxy S7 (#GalaxyS7) is showing it up and what you should do to get rid of it.

Read on to know more about "Warning: Camera failed" error that reportedly started after the Android 7 Nougat update and learn how to troubleshoot your device.

The error message "Unfortunately, Camera has stopped" is basically notifying the owner that the default camera app crashed for some reason and won't be able to continue to run. It doesn't necessarily mean that the camera sensor is damaged just like many of our readers are afraid of. But then again, that's a possibility. The point is we won't know for sure what the problem is if we didn't try to troubleshoot the device.

In this post, I will tackle this error was well as the "Warning: Camera failed" that may occur from time to time. While we've already published a few articles about these errors, we are obliged to address it again because this time it's Android 7 Nougat that may have caused or triggered them. Just click on the link below to jump to a specific section or problem.

For those who have other concerns, make sure you drop by our Galaxy S7 troubleshooting page for we have already provided solutions to hundreds of problems sent by our readers since the release of this device. Find issues that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don't work for you or if you need further assistance, fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit. We will look into your issue as long as we have the information we need so make sure you fill up every field accurately.

How to troubleshoot Galaxy S7 showing "Unfortunately, Camera has stopped" error

The camera app, firmware and the hardware must be synchronized so that you can use the camera of your phone without being greeted by errors like this. As I said earlier, this one's telling you about the application that stopped working for some reason but since we are dealing with a phone that has recently been updated to Android 7 Nougat, we might be looking at a possible firmware issue. However, we need to verify if it really is a firmware problem or just an issue with the app. This is what I suggest you do:

Step 1: Reboot your Galaxy S7 if it's the first time the error occurred

If the problem just popped up without apparent reason or when you tried opening the app, then don't do anything just yet. Instead, try to reboot your phone a couple of times to make sure it's not just a temporary glitch with the firmware or the hardware. If the error still popped after the reboot, then move on to the next step.

Step 2: Clear the cache and data of the Camera app to reset it

The rule of thumb is to troubleshoot the app that's explicitly mentioned in an error message. You cannot uninstall it since it's the default camera app so the best thing you can do is clear its cache and data, which will reset it to factory defaults.

From Home screen, tap App icon.

Tap Settings.

Tap Applications and Application manager.

Swipe to ALL tab.

Find and tap Camera.

Touch the Force Close button first.

Tap storage.

Tap Clear cache and Clear data, Delete.

You may reboot your phone one more time and open the camera app after doing the procedure and if the error still greets you, then try to isolate the problem.

Step 3: Isolate the problem by booting your phone in Safe Mode

Booting up in safe mode will temporarily disable all third-party apps and services so you can easily isolate the problem if it's with your downloaded apps or pre-installed ones. If you can use the camera without crashing while in this state, your third-party apps have something to do with the issue. You just need to find the culprit and then disable or uninstall it. On the other hand, if the problem still continues even in safe mode, then we might be facing a firmware related issue. Here's how you boot your device in safe mode:

Press and hold the Power key.

When Samsung Galaxy S7 logo appears, release the Power key and immediately hold the volume down key.

Continue holding the Volume Down key until it finishes its rebooting.

When "Safe mode" appears on the screen immediately release the Volume Down key.

By the way, if finding the apps is an arduous task for you since it's not really easy to pinpoint which app is causing the problem, I suggest you just backup your data and files and then do the factory reset. This should take care of the problem.

From the Home screen, tap the Apps icon.

Find and tap Settings and then touch Backup and reset.

Tap Factory data reset and touch Reset device.

If you have screen lock feature turned on, enter your password or PIN.

Touch Continue.

Tap Delete all to confirm your action.

Step 4: Delete the system cache to see if the problem was caused by corrupt caches

The system cache can easily get corrupted or when the firmware is new, the old caches may have already became obsolete and when the new system continues to use them, conflicts may occur and may result to this kind of problem. Therefore, it recommended you boot your phone up into the Recovery Mode and then wipe the cache partition:

Turn off the phone.

Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key.

When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.

When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds.

Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight 'wipe cache partition.'

Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.

Now highlight the option 'Yes' using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.

Wait until your phone is finished wiping the cache partition. Once completed, highlight 'Reboot system now' and press the Power key.

The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

Step 5: It's time you backed up your data, files, pictures, etc. and reset your phone

If all else fails, you just have to do a general troubleshooting procedure since, at this point in time, we don't know for sure what's causing the problem and why the Camera keeps crashing, although we already have a hunch that the firmware itself is problematic, otherwise, Samsung shouldn't have halted the roll out. But anyways, it's imperative you reset your device and see what happens:

Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S7.

Press and then hold the Home and Volume UP keys, then press and hold the Power key. NOTE: It doesn't matter how long you press and hold the Home and Volume Up keys, it won't affect the phone but by the time you press and hold the Power key, that's when the phone starts to respond.

When the Samsung Galaxy S7 shows on the screen, release the Power key but continue holding the Home and Volume Up keys.

When the Android logo shows, you may release both keys and leave the phone be for about 30 to 60 seconds. NOTE: The "Installing system update" message may show on the screen for several seconds before displaying the Android system recovery menu. This is just the first phase of the entire process.

Using the Volume Down key, navigate through the options and highlight 'wipe data / factory reset.'

Once highlighted, you may press the Power key to select it.

Now highlight the option 'Yes — delete all user data' using the Volume Down key and press the Power button to select it.

Wait until your phone is finished doing the Master Reset. Once completed, highlight 'Reboot system now' and press the Power key.

The phone will now reboot longer than usual.

I hope this helps.

How to troubleshoot Galaxy S7 that shows "Warning: Camera failed" error

Unlike the first error, this one's seems to be talking about the camera sensor itself. This happens when the sensor fails to initialize together with the app and the firmware. You have to note that the firmware, app and the hardware must be in-sync so that this kind of error won't occur. But since it's already bugging you, here's what you should do:

Reboot your phone first – when troubleshooting app, firmware or hardware issues, always begin your troubleshooting with a reboot.

Clear the cache and data of the camera app – we are dealing with a camera problem and while we want to troubleshoot the hardware, we can't. So we just have to rule out the possibility that it's just a minor app problem by resetting the app itself. Just follow the steps above.

Reset your phone – this will give you an idea whether the problem is caused by the new firmware or not, although we really can't be certain about it. After the reset and the problem still occurs, then the firmware might be corrupt or the sensor itself has a problem.

Send the phone in for checkup and repair – this is your last resort and you need to do this if you still want your phone to work. The tech may reflash the firmware and if that won't resolve the issue, there will be tests to find out what the real problem is.

CONNECT WITH US

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Source: How to fix Samsung Galaxy S7 that shows "Unfortunately, Camera has stopped" error after Android 7 Nougat update [Troubleshooting Guide]

Stage Pro: Interactive WhiteboardDocument Camera

Description

Stage™ Pro brings your ideas to life – anytime, anywhere.

Create, collaborate, and demonstrate with Stage Pro. Combine the convenience of your camera with the power of an interactive whiteboard to unleash these experiences:

• Freehand sketch over live video or images - Create Madden-style demo videos• Get creative - Insert pictures, shapes, text and labels• Demo everything brilliantly - Picture-in-picture features• Record videos or screen capture images - Save directly to your device photo library• Dynamically present in real-time - Wirelessly using Airplay, or via a wired projector connection

Make your demos and lessons fully interactive, collaborative, and engaging with Stage Pro.

HEAD OF THE CLASS• Record brilliant demo videos with picture-in-picture features• Annotate, mark-up and save existing photos, images and documents• Easily switch backgrounds from live front/rear camera feed, whiteboard/blackboard canvas , any picture from your photo library, or royalty-free academic images• Import PDFs from Dropbox, Google Drive, or "Open in…" iOS feature• Lock/Unlock camera autofocus to produce perfect, blur-free tutorials• Dynamically present in real-time, wirelessly using Airplay or via a wired projector connection• Save everything directly to your iPhone or iPad photo library for anywhere, anytime access• Simple, accessible, and effective - No app login or internet connection required

ALL INCLUSIVEAdvanced features are included and unlocked in Stage Pro!

Video RecordingEasily capture and save lessons using the Stage App. Record audio and video, Pause, Resume, and Save. Video files are automatically saved to your camera roll for simple sharing via email or uploading to YouTube or other collaborative sites of your choice. Import Stage recordings into iMovie from your photo library.

Multiple CanvasesCreate multi-page presentations and toggle between canvases with the Stage Multiple Canvas Feature. Add, delete, and insert new canvas pages with ease for a presentation-friendly format.

Academic Backgrounds BundleRoyalty-free backgrounds include graph paper, Graph XY axes, Music Staff, Ruled, World Map, USA States, European Countries, African Countries, Asian Countries, Australia, North America, and South America.

ShapesGeometric shapes include circle, square, triangle, and star. Edit the color, size, and rotation of these objects in your Stage creations.

Multiple PicturesAdd multiple pictures from your photo library to your Stage creations. Reposition, resize, and rotate your images with ease.

PDFImport PDF pages into Stage using "Open in Stage," Dropbox, or Google Drive.

EXTRA CREDITCollaborative: Sharing ideas has never been easier. Stage's live video and interactive tools let you showcase real-time problem solving, demos, and experimentation. Paired with Airplay, Stage makes wireless sharing quick and easy. Wi th the added flexibility to move around the room, educators can truly engage and involve students.

Portable: Bring your ideas to life anytime, anywhere with Stage. Stage does not require a login or connection to the internet, so it's ready to go wherever and whenever you are.

Easy-to-use: Unlike interactive whiteboards, Stage requires no additional training. Users familiar with touchscreens will be able to use the app instantly and efficiently.

Cost-efficient: More economical than secondary technology, such as interactive whiteboards and document cameras, Stage maintains the functionality of that same technology without the price tag and cost of integration.

Meaningful: Purposeful integration of mobile devices in the classroom creates opportunity for effective and meaningful learning for students at every level.

**50% VPP discount available for qualified Educational purchases through Apple's Volume Purchase Program**

RAISE YOUR HANDAt Belkin E ducation, everything we do is based on thoughtful innovation. For more information, visit us at www.belkin.com.

Source: Stage Pro: Interactive WhiteboardDocument Camera

Inhuman is the new pretty.

There's this new camera app called meitu that everyone on the internet is using because it takes your picture and turns it into a sort of glossy, animae version of yourself.

*******

And now…time for the weekly wrap-up!

Shit I made in my shop (Named "EIGHT POUNDS OF UNCUT COCAINE" so that your credit card bill will be more interesting.):

LADYHOOD OF VAMPIRES

Shit-you-may-or-may-not-want-to-see:

This is why twitter exists.

So happy to be on this list.

This week's wrap-up is brought to you by Deb Newmyer's Moms for Hire, a stylish, eight-step guidebook for moms who want to kick their careers back into gear and amp up their professional mojo.  41% of moms choose to stay at home for significant amounts of time after having children and for many moms this is the most rewarding and important work of their lives. But what happens when kids are older, need less attention, and mom decides to go back to work? Using creative exercises, advice, and anecdotes from well-known working moms, Moms for Hire is a go-to guide for moms looking for a successful re-entry strategy.  You can check it out here.

Source: Inhuman is the new pretty.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro Review: The First Google Tango Smartphone

For the past few years, Augmented Reality has been a dream but it's finally becoming a reality (no pun intended). The Pokemon Go game became a rage, with people appreciating its AR mode and now, Lenovo has come out with its first Google Tango smartphone, dubbed the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro. Google Tango has been a project that the folks over at Google's Advanced Technology and Projects group have been working on for the past few years but it's only now that the project has seen the light of day in full fledged form. So, if you have always wanted to see how dinosaurs would look like standing next to you or if you want to see if a sofa you want to buy fits in your space or not, well, Google Tango has you covered.

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is the first Google Tango smartphone and it's the only one you can buy right now (the Asus Zenfone AR arrives in Q2 2017). The device has been making a lot of headlines, all thanks to the moniker, "the first Tango device". However, the device is indeed a risk for Lenovo because there are a lot of questions around the device, as well as Tango. Is Google Tango ready for prime time? Is the Phab 2 Pro a revolutionary AR device? Should you buy the first Tango phone or wait for a more refined product? Well, we are sure you want to know how the first Tango phone fares. So, let's find out everything in our review of the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro. Let's begin, shall we?

In The Box

Before we starting talking about the device itself, let's take a look at the in-box contents of the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro:

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro

microUSB cable

Charger adapter

JBL earphones

Quick Start and Warranty guides

While the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro box does look unique, the contents inside are pretty generic and something that we're used to seeing in most smartphones. The inclusion of JBL earphones is certainly a nice touch though.

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro Specifications Dimensions 179.8 x 88.6 x 10.7 mm Weight 259 grams Display 6.4-inch of Quad HD (2560x1440p) resolution Processor 64-bit Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor RAM 4 GB Storage 64 GB, expandable up to 128 GB Cameras 16 MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash and laser detection autofocus, 8 MP front-facing camera. Google Tango module (a wide-angle camera and an infrared emitter) Battery 4,050 mAh Sensors Fingerprint scanner, proximity, gyroscope, compass, accelerometer Connectivity WiFi dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual SIM, microUSB 2.0 Price $499 Design and Hardware

Talking about the design and build of the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, the first thing you will notice when you first take the device in your hands in the enormous size and heft of the device. With its massive 6.4-inch display and metal unibody design, the Phab 2 Pro is by no means, a pocket-friendly device. If you thought the iPhone 7 Plus, Pixel XL or even the Nexus 6P are huge devices, well, think again.

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro looks and feels like a beast. It measures 179.8 x 88.6 x 10.7 mm and weighs in at a hefty 259 grams. If you plan on using the Phab 2 Pro as your daily driver, be ready to look very absurd when you are talking on the device.

If you forgive the substantial weight and size of the device, the Phab 2 Pro looks like most other Lenovo smartphones out there. The front features a full slab of Gorilla glass, with 2.5D curved edges. On the bottom, there are the three navigation buttons and the top features a multi-color LED, an 8 MP camera, earpiece and proximity sensors. The left side of the device features the SIM and microSD tray, while the right side features the volume rockers and the power/lock button. On the bottom, there is the microUSB port along with the speakers and the top features the 3.5 mm headphone jack. While I like the fact that there's the 3.5 mm jack, I would have preferred the USB Type-C port instead of the now ageing microUSB port.

The rear of the device is where the most action lies. It features the Tango logo (along with Lenovo's), fingerprint sensor, the huge depth perception sensor and a rectangular bar that packs in the dual-tone flash, the IR emitter and the 16 MP camera. The Tango module features a couple of cameras. One packs in an infrared emitter to determine the distance from objects while the other is a wide-angle camera with a fish eye lens to support the device's motion tracking system.

When it comes to the looks, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro looks like a premium device, thanks to chamfered edges and a brushed metal aluminium back with antenna bands. Also, the device might be gigantic but it is easy to hold due to its slightly curved back. It's available in two versions: Gunmetal Grey and Champagne Gold. We have the Gunmetal Grey version with us and it looks amazing. If you can get past the massive size and bulk of the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, you will find a smartphone (or phablet) that looks great.

Display

With so much focus on its AR capabilities, we are glad that Lenovo has incorporated a huge 6.4-inch IPS LCD display of Quad HD (2,560 x 1,440p) resolution. On paper, it seems like a great display but I wasn't too impressed by it. While the text and everything else looks crisp and sharp, the display isn't very bright (425 nits at maximum brightness), which would have been understandable had it been an AMOLED display.

When you compare it other LCD packing devices like the iPhone 7 or even the AMOLED-packing Pixel, the brightness just falls short.

On the brighter side of things, viewing angles are great and the color reproduction is good but if you are a fan of AMOLED displays, you'll miss the vibrant colors. Having said that, since it's an "assertive" IPS LCD display, you can customize the hue and colors in the display settings of the device. To sum things up, the display on the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro does not really match flagship standards but it's still pretty decent.

Google Tango

Google Tango has been in works for more than a couple of years now and it's supposed to revolutionize Augmented Reality on smartphones.The technology identifies objects in the real world along with depth and their dimensions to better overlay 3D objects in the real world. So, how is the Google Tango experience on the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro?

When you first set up the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, you are greeted with the "Discover Tango" screen at the end, which introduces you to the Tango experience through a demo that  shows you how the tech uses depth perception, area learning and motion tracking tooverlay 3D objects in the real world. Phab 2 Pro also comes with the Tango app pre-loaded, which is home to the various Tango-enabled apps. The device comes with 3 apps pre-installed.

There's the Measure app, which as the name suggests, lets you measure length, height and even volume of objects. You can even take pictures of the measurements you make. The accuracy of the app is debatable but it's still a good example of how AR can come in handy.

Another pre-installed app is Amazon Product Preview, which as of now, only lets you see how certain TVs will look in your wall. It works great and you can even buy one of the TVs from the same page. The third pre-installed app is the Lenovo AR Camera, which lets you put AR pets alongside you.

Other than that, there are around 35 Google Tango-enabled apps on the Play Store. There are fun games like Ghostly Mansion, in which you are ghost exploring a 3D mansion. Some cool apps like Solar Simulator, which brings various objects from the space into your living room. There are also various apps that let you see how a furniture looks or fits in your house. As of now, the number of apps isn't great but the number should increase in the near future, with more Tango devices upcoming.

When it comes the experience, Google Tango is amazing when it works. The technology is still fairly budding and so, inaccuracies are understandable. Having said that, Google is certainly on the right direction and we hope the company continues to innovate on the AR front.

The Android Experience

The Google Tango platform is definitely the USP of the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro but it's important to know about the Android experience, if you are shelling out 500 dollars. I haven't really been a fan of Lenovo's Android skin and so, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro features an Android build that is mostly stock. Sure, there are some elements that remind you that this is a Lenovo device, like the notification shade & app drawer UI, different icons when compared to stock Android, bundled apps like SHAREit, McAfee Security, AccuWeather, its very own Gallery and Camera app etc. However, the interface is mostly stock, which is something I definitely love about the device.

While it looks like stock Android, Lenovo has added a few of its very own options and features. For instance, there's Lenovo's Smart Assist, which brings features for one-handed usage, double tap to wake, Smart Reduce (reduces ringtone volume when you pick up a call) etc.

All is not good though. The device comes with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, which is a shame, considering Android 7.0 Nougat has been here for quite a few months now. Nougat's features like multi-window would have really enhanced the experience on the Phab 2 Pro. While we can expect the update to arrive sooner or later, it would have been much better had it come with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box.

Cameras

The cameras are an essential to showcase the Google Tango AR platform and thus, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro features some power-packed cameras, at least on paper. On the front, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro features an 8 MP camera, while the back features a 16 MP camera with laser detection autofocus and a dual-tone LED flash.

Talking about the rear camera first, it's surprisingly not that impressive. It does take some great shots when there's ample light but it struggles when it comes to low light photography. I'll recommend you to use the HDR mode to capture photos because it does take better photos. However, photos taken in low light or at night come with a lot of noise, and they are even a bit blurry, thanks to its focusing problems. Even with that laser autofocus module, the rear camera has its problems focusing. There's "frame lagging" too, that is, when you move the device, the camera viewfinder just takes too much time to reposition. We don't know if that's a software problem but if it is, we hope Lenovo fixes it with a software update.

The conclusion is, if you use the Phab 2 Pro camera to take shots in daytime, you will be pleased but not so much if you love taking photos in low light or at night. Here are some shots I took from the camera with HDR mode turned on:

Video recording with the 16 MP rear camera isn't that impressive either. My biggest gripe is the fact that the device is limited to recording 1080p videos and considering the device packs in a QHD display, it's a shame it does not even take advantage of the display's full resolution, let alone record 4K videos. There are focusing problems but other than that the videos are.

Moving on to the front-facing or the selfie camera, as people like to call them these days. The 8 MP camera does an okay-ish job, really, and the fact is, I have seen way better selfie cameras on other devices. While it takes clear photos, the colors just look a bit washed out and the camera sensor is a bit inconsistent in capturing light. Overall, the front camera on the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro should be good enough for your occasional selfie but don't expect it to take mind blowing photos. Here's a selfie our very own Devinder took:

To sum things up, I find the cameras on the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro to be just average and considering the cameras have such a big role to play in AR, it's sad. Having said that, if you just want to experience Google Tango, you should be fine with the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro.

Performance

When it comes to the internals, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro does not qualify as a very high-end device. Under the hood, the device is powered by the 64-bit Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor with Adreno 510 GPU. There's 4 GB RAM for all your multitasking needs, along with 64 GB internal storage (expandable up to 128 GB).

According to Lenovo, the chipset is custom designed to handle Google Tango's AR needs. If you worry about heating of your Android devices, you'll be happy to know that Phab 2 Pro has been designed in a way that the heat dissipates from outer edges of the metal frame and it's cooled down quickly, thanks to the shielding on the processor.

All of that aside, you must be wondering, how does the device perform in real life? Well, I found the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro's performance to be average. While it handles certain day to day tasks with ease, it does struggle a bit when it comes to intensive apps. For instance, I usually browse the web on Chrome, while also multitasking between Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram and for my personal use case, the device performs decently. However, there was this occasional hiccup and dropped frame rates when it comes to extensive Tango apps and games.

I did a benchmark of the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro in a couple of apps, AnTuTu Benchmark and Geekbench 4. Well, it did quite decently and here are the results:

Call Quality and Speakers

As I have mentioned, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is massive and if you plan on using it for phone calls, well, good luck with that. Having said that, I made a few calls from the device and the call quality seems decent. I could listen to the caller clearly and the caller too suggested that the voice was clear enough.

When it comes to speakers, the device packs in loud speakers, comparable to that on an iPhone 7 but it lacks the bass I would have liked. Plus, it features Dolby Atmos support, which claims to bring loudness without distortion, enveloping sound field etc. for an enhanced music experience. The Dolby Atmos app on the device brings various sound profiles, which really enhance the sound experience when you have earphones plugged in.

Battery Life

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro comes with a fairly large 4,050 mAh battery, which is more than what most smartphones (even high-end ones) offer. While the advantage with a larger battery is slightly negated due to the huge display but it still performs admirably. On heavy usage, the device lasts for a day and a half. On moderate usage, the device easily lasts for a couple of days. The Phab 2 Pro does run out of battery quickly when running Tango apps.

So, if you plan to constantly use Tango apps, you can expect it to still last for around 7-8 hours. Well, the battery performance is where I find the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro very impressive.

Connectivity

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro packs in the connectivity options that we've come to expect from a modern-day smartphone. There's WiFi dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, Dual SIM, USB OTG support and microUSB 2.0 connectivity. It also packs in the important sensors like fingerprint scanner, proximity, gyroscope, compass and accelerometer. Apparently, the only thing it lacks is NFC support.

Pros:

Premium metal unibody

A look into the future with Tango

Great battery life

Value for money

Cons:

Enormous and bulky

Inconsistent performance

Average camera

SEE ALSO: 5 Best Daydream VR Apps You Should Try

Lenovo Phab 2 Pro: A Look Into the AR Future

As you must have noticed, the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro isn't without its flaws. It's a massive device, falters when it comes to performance and features an underwhelming camera but if you take into account that it's the first Google Tango phone and it's being offered at $499, you'd know that it's not really a bad deal. You are getting a decent smartphone, along with a look into the AR future. However, there are a number of other smartphones in the same price range that offer better performance. There's the OnePlus 3T, Moto Z, ZTE Axon 7 etc. Having said that, if you want to experience Google Tango and you cannot wait for the Asus Zenfone AR, you should get the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro.

Well, that is it for my Lenovo Phab 2 Pro review but I'd love to know your thoughts on the first Google Tango phone. Sound off your views in the comments section below.

Source: Lenovo Phab 2 Pro Review: The First Google Tango Smartphone

Samsung virtual assistant rumored to use camera for object identification

In its upcoming flagship smartphone Galaxy S8 Samsung is expected to implement a Siri or Google Assistant style virtual assistant named Bixby. According to sources of SamMobile, Bixby will include visual search capabilities and be able to analyze a photograph and identify objects within the frame. The system will also perform optical character recognition on visible text. Users will be able to launch the service via the camera app or a dedicated button on the side of the device. 

We have seen apps with similar functionalities before, for example Google Goggles, but Bixby is reportedly aiming to take things to the next level by offering a higher degree of interchange with other applications installed on the phone. For example, users will be able to use detected objects or text to order on shopping apps or perform searches.  

The Bixby technology is likely to have come from Viv Labs, a startup created by former Apple employees and Siri co-founders Dag Kittlaus, Adam Cheyer, and Chris Bringham. Viv Labs was acquired by Samsung last October. It's not quite clear at this point when the Galaxy S8 will be revealed to the public. It could be at the Mobile World Congress at the end of February or on a dedicated event as late as April. In any case, we're looking forward to the camera being used in innovative ways on the new Samsung. 

Source: Samsung virtual assistant rumored to use camera for object identification

A Sailors Guide to Smartphone Photography

I use my iPhone 6 Plus for much more than making calls, texting, emailing and tracking the latest social media trends. As a sailor, I use my iPhone 6 Plus to navigate, check destinations and weather, plan routes, book slips or moorings, and even to make dinner reservations prior to arriving in port. As a professional photographer, I have also been using my iPhone 6 Plus not only to supplement my expensive, large and heavy equipment, but in many instances to replace a full-sensor DSLR as my camera of choice. Here are some features and tricks that have helped me get the most out of my smartphone's camera.

Instant Photos

In many cases, you need to act quickly to get the shot — there's no time to put in lock codes or fingerprint scans. To access the iPhone camera instantly, without having to unlock the phone, just swipe left on your home screen, and you have the full camera application ready to use. Android phones use a quick app-launching tool that accomplishes the same immediate camera activation.

Flash Options: Auto, On, Off

In the camera app of an iPhone, at the top left you will see a lightning-­shaped icon. Tap it to bring up the flash submenu choices: auto, on and off. I recommend that you leave the flash set to auto. In this setting, the flash will activate when the software determines the need for additional light, which, for a sailor, may not be often. Most sailing images are shot in bright, seemingly overpowering light, so why use the flash at all? Here are some reasons: Photos taken in the cabin at sunrise or sunset, or portraits taken with the sun or lighting behind the subject, could need flash "fill." Or with the subject looking directly into the sun, you might need the flash to avoid what is known as "raccoon eyes." Keeping the flash on or set to auto can eliminate deep, often unattractive shadows.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Options: Auto, On, Off

HDR stands for "high dynamic range," a tool that exposes a series of images with each image exposed differently. In short, the exposures run from darkest to lightest. HDR provides greater detail, a more realistic image, and a better-defined separation between shadows, midtones and highlights. For best results, use HDR when photographing landscapes or seascapes. Don't use HDR under very bright sun, if you are sailing fast, or if you need a series of quick, successive images. Also note that the flash is automatically turned off when using HDR.

Selfie View

Tapping the camera icon with the circular arrows will switch the lens view from forward-looking toward the screen of the smartphone, facing whoever or whatever is holding the phone. In other words, it will turn your camera into a selfie-maker. But beware: Most "accidental" photos are taken when the operator mistakenly thinks the camera is pointed outward.

Self-Timer

Need to take a selfie but don't have a selfie stick, or want to capture a perfect group shot? No problem. Touch the circular, clocklike icon and select either a three- or 10-second delay. Set the device on a surface that will hold it in place (not near the toerail), compose the image, and press the shutter. You will see the flash count down each second and, just prior to exposing the flash, rapidly click on and off until the shutter clicks — done!

Additional Functions

Smartphones and tablets offer a variety of functions that allow you to expand the use of your camera. The iPhone lists several along the bottom of the screen within the camera app: time-lapse, slo-mo, video, photo, square and pano. Tablets may not include all these functions. On some Android models, you will find these options located within your photography submenu.

Time-Lapse: With this option, the frame rate consists of a series of single pictures shot at a speed that's slower than normal video. When the video is played back, time seems to be moving faster, or lapsing. Use time-lapse to shorten a long sequence or capture an event such as docking a sailboat.

Slo-Mo: This tool essentially slows down the motion of the subject. When I teach sailing, I use slow motion to visually explain wrapping a winch, tacking or jibing, or other complex functions where errors can be seen more clearly when the view is slowed down.

Video: Lights, camera, action! You use video to document your best and worst sailing experiences: dolphins swimming along the bow, whales breaching, or crewmembers swimming, sailing or enjoying a destination.

Photo: This is the standard of photography. The 4-to-3 aspect ratio allows photos taken in this mode to be copied, edited, posted and emailed. Square: The square mode works the same way as the photo mode except that the aspect ratio (normally 4-to-3) and shape of the image are no longer rectangular, but square (1-to-1).

Pano: The panoramic function is a bit tricky to use on a moving boat or dock, as it requires you to rotate the phone while holding it level. In this mode, the camera takes a series of sequential images that are stitched together via a software function. Once saved, a panoramic photo can be shared the same way as any other image. This image size works great for landscapes, photographing your boat while on a dock or mooring, or for nearly any other "long" item or subject. When taking the photo, you need to be aware of your tracking speed, the movement to the left or right, and the movement of the camera up or down — all tough on a moving sailboat.

Focus, Exposure, Zoom and More

Most smartphones have an auto-focus/auto-exposure (AF/AE) lock. Just touch the screen with your finger (for about three seconds) on the area where you wish to focus, and you will see the AF/AE icon, which means you are now fixed on the area you touched. You can remove the AF/AE by quickly tapping the screen.

When you activate your camera, you will note that a yellow or blue square appears on the screen. Next to the square, you will see a sun-shaped icon and a vertical line. Dragging the sun icon up or down along the line will change the overall exposure.

Along the bottom of the camera frame, you have the ability to zoom in or out when using most of the camera options. Pinch the screen outward to zoom in; pinch the screen inward to zoom out. Or, on the screen, use your index finger to drag the zoom circle along the zoom line. On an Android phone, the volume controls can activate the zoom function.

Editing

OK, you have the shot and have placed it in the camera's memory, but it needs a bit of work. No problem. Most smartphones have a wide range of retouching tools. Go to your gallery (the Photos app on an iPhone), select an image, and tap the icon that looks like three horizontal lines with dots on them (on Android platforms, tap the editing icon). Along the very bottom of the frame, you will see three icons. The first (arrows and a frame) allows you to scale, crop or adjust the angle of any image. The next icon (three circles) allows you to select filters including monochrome, noir, fade, black-and-white and others. If you don't like the change, just touch "revert," and you are back at the starting point. The last option (a circle with a dial and dots) provides you with editing capability, enabling you to change the overall lighting, modify the color, remove the color, and convert the image to gray-scale. The last function has submenus that provide advanced editing tools and more sophisticated editing functions.

Posting and Sharing

Select your video or still image from your gallery, click on the rectangle with the upward-­facing arrow (a sideways V on Android phones), select the type of media you plan to share with, and off you go.

One last note: You can send your photo or video as a small, medium, large or actual-size image. The size of the image will determine how much time the transfer will take, so be advised that you may need a Wi-Fi connection, rather than a 3G or 4G cellular network, to send large files. Most smartphones and tablets allow you to choose the size of the image you plan to email or post. My iPhone offers the following file size choices (sizes will vary depending on the phone model you have): small (39.5 KB), medium (102 KB), large (455 KB) and actual size (1.2 MB). The small option will upload faster than the actual-­size option, but smaller files will not reproduce as well as larger files for printing hard copies of a photo.

Smartphone-Use Warnings

Sailors live in the wet, and for your phone, this is not a good environment. Prior to sailing, you should consider one of the many waterproof cases available today. Most smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices will easily overheat when left in direct sun. Once overheated, the device will shut down, and you will need to allow the device to cool before you can turn it back on.

Summary

Today, the latest smartphones are more like cameras than ever before. You can purchase hand-held grips, monopods, full tripods, selfie sticks, external lenses, underwater cases and much more. You can download hundreds of apps that can magically convert your basic images into sepia-toned or black-and-white, add effects, smooth imperfections, and even publish photo books over the Internet. So before you head out on your next sailing adventure, try practicing with your smartphone's photo features. You just might be surprised at the high-quality images you can produce.

Thaddeus Kubis is an editorial, documentary and fine art photographer and instructor. He is also a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and an ASA-certified sailing instructor.

Source: A Sailors Guide to Smartphone Photography