360 rumors

Unclip, a free cloud storage service for 360 videos (similar to Google Photos but for videos) is ending its service and is being merged into Samsung's 360 video sharing platform, Samsung VR (formerly called Milk VR). Unclip is a cloud based storage service for 360 videos that allowed you to upload your 360 videos from any of your devices (phone, desktop, etc.).  It was a convenient way to synchronize files and was very useful for conserving space on mobile devices.  Uploaded photos could also be edited.   See here . Unclip announced that its service would be ending on June 30, after which all previously stored videos and data will be deleted.  Instead, you can upload your videos to Samsung VR , Samsung's 360 video sharing platform.

The Guru 360 is the most affordable gimbal for 360 cameras.  It also has one of the smallest nadirs and in some cameras, it can even become almost invisible .  Here's a demo and tutorial. Stabilizing your video with a gimbal is one of the most effective ways to improve its quality and to enhance your viewers' experience.  Among gimbals designed for 360 cameras, the Guru 360 is the most affordable and it also has one of the smallest nadirs to date. The nadir is small enough that it is possible to make it almost invisible.  Here's a 360 video demo and a tutorial: As I mentioned in the video, the most visible parts of the Guru 360 in the nadir are the motor and the counterweights.  To make them disappear, you need to do two things: 1. Move the camera off the center of the gimbal and toward the pitch/roll motor.  The goal is to put the motor between the lenses. 2. To hide the counterweight that is on the opposite side of the pitch/roll motor, you need to split...

Here is a full review of the Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere 360 camera, which has become one of my favorite 360 cameras for its excellent image quality and incredible image stabilization. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Xiaomi Mi Sphere is an excellent 360 camera that has the highest image quality for both photos and videos among cameras around $350 or less (for photo quality, I would say there is no better 360 camera unless you are willing to buy a Panono).  On top of that, its image stabilization really works, and it works very well.  On the other hand, the Mi Sphere has significant drawbacks that you should review before buying it. Here is the video review: WHAT'S IN THE BOX The Xiaomi Mi Sphere includes: - the camera - a mini tripod / handle - a Micro USB cable - a water resistant pouch The Xiaomi is very well made, with a sleek matte black outer finish with hidden LED indicators (like the Theta).  The frame is metal, which makes the Xiaomi feel solid but also helps to radiate heat (...

Check out this aerial 360 video by Jean-Marie Cannie that uses two 2017 Samsung Gear 360 cameras to make the drone invisible! Last week I posted about Jean-Marie Cannie's dual 360 camera mount for the DJI Mavic Pro , which puts the Mavic in between the two cameras, allowing it to be masked out. Here is a new video based on two 2017 Samsung Gear 360 cameras : I've ordered Jean-Marie's dual mount and will be testing it on my Mavic using two Xiaomi Mi Sphere cameras with image stabilization .  I'm hoping the stabilization will remain synchronized.... we'll see!  If it doesn't work, my backup plan is to get another 2016 Gear 360, which is now very affordable (available  from Amazon  or  B&H Photo ).

Ben Claremont (Life in 360) gives a very detailed comparison of the 2017 Samsung Gear 360 and the original Gear 360.  I'll let you know my take on these two cameras as well. Here's the video: SECOND OPINION Here are my own thoughts on the two:      The original Gear 360 is actually a very good 360 camera.  Its biggest problem was poor compatibility.  It worked only with high-end Samsung smartphones (S6 and above).  In addition, the desktop software was for Windows only.      As for me, I liked it but I have to admit I didn't use it all that often after a while.  The photos were nice but not reliable because of blurgate.  I liked it well enough for videos but one thing I didn't like was the glare (something that Ben notes in his comparison as well).  As far as I can tell, the glare is a reflection of the concentric rings around the lens.  It's quite distracting, in my opinion, and very difficult to correct.  And ...

The 2017 Samsung Gear 360 has finally launched in the US for a remarkable $229 !  And there's a promo to get it for even less.  I also wanted to demonstrate the 2017 Gear 360's image stabilization. The 2017 Samsung Gear 360 is the most affordable 4k 360 camera.  It was launched about a month ago in Korea, Germany and a few other countries.  It is finally launching in the US.  Officially, the launch date is tomorrow, which is why it's not yet on the Samsung US website (as of today May 25), but online retailers such as Amazon have already made the US version of the Gear 360 available . At just $229, it is the lowest cost 4K 360 camera (based on MSRP).  Moreover, Samsung has a new promo that lets you buy the 2017 Gear 360 for just $49 if you get a Samsung S8 or S8+ within the promo period  (May 25 to June 19). Although the Gear 360 is the lowest cost 4K camera, it is actually a pretty good 360 camera for both 360 photos and videos, and it is compatible wi...

A photographer claims that he dove with his 2017 Samsung Gear 360 12 meters underwater without any kind of underwater case and was able to take photos.... The shooter uses the pseudonym  Aris Tocrate .  According to him, not only did the camera survive, but the photos look excellent, with seamless stitching notwithstanding the refraction of the water. Here's a crop showing the seamless stitching, notwithstanding the water's refraction. He posted two samples.  Here's a screenshot from his other post on the Samsung Gear 360 2017 group. I discussed it with one of my friends and my friend found another post by the same user, showing the exact same photo, but he posted it to the Nikon Keymission 360 Facebook group, also claiming he took the shot without a case: It therefore appears that this is just a prank (1 month and 22 days late I would say).  The truth is that the 2017 Samsung Gear 360 (available here) is water-resistant but NOT waterproof.  If you want to us...

Here's a review of the 2017 Samsung Gear VR, and how it differs from the 2016 Gear VR (yes, there are a few differences) and Google Daydream.  Also: which is better for the Gear VR: a Samsung S8 or S8+? Not counting Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR is the most popular VR headset, with over 5 million users as of January 2017.  If you haven't tried it, it's easy to dismiss it as an overpriced cardboard headset, but you would be mistaken -- it's totally different, and the experience is much closer to desktop VR than Google Cardboard. The 2017 Gear VR is not much different from the original Gear VR in terms of its immersion, so I'll refer you to my original Gear VR review here .  Instead, this post will focus on the differences between the 2017 Gear VR and the 2016 Gear VR as well as Google Cardboard. SAMSUNG GEAR VR  2016 vs 2017 The primary difference between the 2016 and 2017 Gear VR is the motion controller.   The controller has several buttons: - a trigger but...

Google announced that there will be 20 new cameras in 2017 that will be certified for compatibility with Google Street View. Google announced a new Street View certification program, and also announced that there would be 20 cameras "released over the coming months" in 2017 that would be certified under the program. There are four different types of Street View certifications: 1. Mobile ready - can upload to Street View directly from their mobile app without needing a desktop. 2. Auto ready - can be used to take Street View photos from a car "with the highest accuracy." 3. VR ready - these cameras take not only photos but also "geometry" and can generate connected photos. 4. Workflow ready - tools (with or without cameras) that can publish to Street View. Among the interesting companies mentioned are: - Giroptic : mobile ready.  This is interesting because the iO does not meet the minimum resolution for GSV.  I don't know if this means the Giroptic 360...

Qualcomm is presenting a VR demo of its new Snapdragon 835 processor at CES 2017 in cooperation with Lionsgate. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors power many mobile phones, including those that are used for mobile VR such as the Samsung Gear VR and Google Daydream . Snapdragon 835 is the newest version of Qualcomm's ubiquitous processor and uses a 10 nm process by Samsung.  The Snapdragon 835 will enable higher framerates in VR and enhanced 3D graphics rendering. The Snapdragon 835's capabilities will be demonstrated in a VR experience at CES 2017.  The VR demo is in cooperation with Lionsgate and will feature the Power Rangers, to promote their upcoming movie.

​ The Lollapalooza annual music festival will be held this weekend from July 28 to July 31, 2016 at Grant Park, Chicago, IL.  Samsung wants to enhance the experience for Galaxy smartphone owners who are attending the festival.  Among other benefits, Samsung will offer "VR-Palooza," a VR experience that includes 360 livestreaming from the Samsung Stage using the Samsung Gear VR , and "4D VR" surfing, skateboarding, and hot air balloon VR experiences.  Samsung will also make limited quantities of the Samsung Gear 360 camera (reviewed here)  available for purchase for $349.99. To participate, you'll need to activate your Lollapalooza wristband here .