360 rumors

The Mac desktop stitching software for the 2017 Samsung Gear 360 is now available! Here is the link to the Mac software . Here are the requirements for the software . I don't know yet if the 2017 stitching software can also stitch photos and videos of the original Gear 360. Samsung also posted the requirements for the PC version of the desktop software (Gear 360 Action Director 2).  In case you missed it, the link to the new Action Director software is here .  The new software can work with both the original and the new Gear 360.  The software can be activated with either the original Gear 360 or the 2017 Gear 360's serial number. Meanwhile the 2017 Gear 360 is still pretty hard to find outside of Korea and parts of Europe.  However, you can buy it on eBay where reseller prices have dropped to as low as $260 (just $10 more than the MSRP) . Thank you very much to Axel Baumann of  www.video-tv355.de for sharing this info!

The Verge got an exclusive preview of Lenovo's VR headset for the Windows Holographic system . Here are the highlights: - Resolution will be 1440 x 1440 per eye, higher than the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift (1200 x 1080 per eye), and a little higher than the Gear VR (1440 x 1280 per eye). - Weight will be around 350 grams, lighter than either the HTC Vive (555 grams) or Oculus Rift (470 grams) - The visor is suspended in front of your eyes (like the Playstation VR instead of being pressed into your face with a strap). - Shipping later this year for $300 to $400. Check out the article from the Verge .  Lenovo will be at CES 2017, and I will try to get a demo.

You can now use your Ricoh Theta S  or Theta SC to shoot tethered with photos and videos downloaded to your desktop using Theta S Control , a free app for Windows. Theta S Control is an app for Windows (desktop, mobile, and holographic) that allows you to control the  Ricoh Theta S  or Theta SC from your desktop or Windows phone.  Among the functions supported are: - Get preview thumbnails and download camera files to your device - Get camera state and info - Remote photo shutter - Remote video shutter - Live stream view - Option to sync time and gps information from your device to camera - Silent shutter option Unlike conventional tethering via USB cable, Theta S Control uses Wi-Fi, i.e., your PC connects wirelessly to the Theta's Wi-Fi signal. Theta S Control is available for free download from the Microsoft Windows store .

Just a friendly reminder that the Kickstarter campaign for the Superbook begins today at 830AM Pacific Time.  UPDATE: it started early. Here is the link . Superbook (previewed here) is a laptop shell for your Android smartphone, allowing your phone to act much like a Windows laptop.  Superbook will also recharge your phone. Because Superbook has no processor of its own and relies completely on your smartphone, it will be as low as $99 (plus shipping), which includes a Micro USB to USB cord and a charger.  There's also a higher-end package with Type C cord. UPDATE :  Superbook's Kickstarter campaign is a success!  Within the first hour, it was 300% funded (i.e., 3x its funding goal) and still going strong.