Update 6-19-2014: CA7CH just launched its Kickstarter campaign, and the company announced the device reached its funding goal in just 26 hours. Click here to read more about the product (pledging $119 will get you one), and check out the new video below. With 30 days still left to go, the company is now trying for two stretch goals. If it reaches $250,000, backers will get a Lightbox with upgraded storage (from 8GB to 16GB); at $500,000, CA7CH will include an external battery pack designed to attach to the back of the Lightbox magnetically. CA7CH also says it’s looking into incorporating SD card storage, based on user feedback.
Although we like Narrative’s Clip lifelogging camera, one thing we wish it had was some type of direct connection to a smartphone, not just a computer. A new device called the Lightbox from New York City-based CA7CH Motion seems to deliver on what’s missing in the Clip; in fact, the Lightbox looks somewhat similar in design that it could be mistaken for the second-generation of the Clip.
As a wearable camera concept, the Lightbox works similarly to the Clip. But 1.5 x 1.5 inches square, 0.49 inches thick, and 1.05 ounces, it’s larger and heavier than the Clip. Because of its ability to live-stream photos and videos via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, CA7CH is calling it the “smallest live-streaming wearable camera.” With a low-light-capable 8-megapixel sensor and a lens with an f/2.4 aperture, image stabilization, and 72-degree field of view, the Lightbox captures stills and videos (up to 1080/30p), and can be controlled remotely via the CA7CH app on a smartphone (iOS first, then Android). Images are stored on the 8GB internal memory until it’s uploaded to the cloud or locally to the phone, which are then wiped from the device. Construction wise, the Lightbox one-ups the Clip with a waterproof surface coating on an aluminum body, and a magnetic attachment clip. A burst mode of 3 fps lets you create animated GIFs on the fly.
The built-in battery has enough power for 1,100 photos and 30 minutes of continuous HD video. There’s a three-function user button, sapphire lens protector, and a two-color LED indicator. Unlike the Clip, which automatically shoots a photo every 30 seconds regardless, the Lightbox requires some sort of user activation to set the camera’s shooting duration.
CA7CH has completed a prototype, and has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production of the Lightbox (the same route Narrative took with the Clip). Whereas the Clip aims to be a no-fuss product that does one thing, the Lightbox wants to be the everything-camera for all things social. CA7CH will launch the iOS app this month and the Android version in April. Although you obviously can’t use it with a Lightbox, the app lets you try out the features using your smartphone’s camera.
(This article was originally published on March 4, 2014.)
