Snapchat is using VR to let you step inside its new original shows
Tuning in to your favorite shows not enough? Snap Originals will allow viewers to set into a virtual set. The new exclusive shows debut today with three different shows. Snap Originals are vertical, short, and exclusive to the platform. Oh, and they can come with their own Lenses, too.
Google is revolutionizing smartphone photos with computing, not lenses
The latest Google Pixel 3 is here -- and with it, a slew of new features. But the most intriguing features on the Google Pixel 3 camera aren't the actual camera or lens itself, but the A.I. So can machine learning help smartphones ditch crappy zoom, poor low-light images, and even missed shots?
Nikon Coolpix P1000 review
On paper, the nearly DSLR-sized Nikon Coolpix P1000 puts other superzoom cameras to shame with its 125x zoom that lets you literally shoot the moon. But can you get high quality images with so much zoom, or even use it handheld? We put the P1000 to the test to see if its long lens is the real deal, or marketing gimmick.
Bitplay’s unique mount brings new lenses, filters to Android and iPhone
Bitplay's lens lineup is now accessible to both iPhone and Android photographers, thanks to a unique lens clip design called AllClip. The new mount launches alongside a new 3x macro lens. Two new filters, a star filter and a graduated neutral density filter, also launched recently.
Photography News: Luminar teases Libraries, Sony develops polarized sensor
In this week's photography news, Skylum is continuing a series of teasers sharing insight in its upcoming Library mode for the RAW editor Luminar. Sony's latest sensor has a polarizer built right in (and a global shutter, too) while Tamron says its lens aren't all compatible with the Nikon Z adapter.
Snap a photo to follow a new friend on Instagram with its Nametags tool
Skip the typing and search bar -- Instagram now lets you add friends using the in-app camera. Nametags are scannable graphics that lead straight to your Instagram profile. The network is also testing a new tool designed to help college students connect with other students and alumni with new profile options.
Facebook tries to put Nearby Friends location-sharing feature back on the map
Facebook's location-sharing tool Nearby Freinds could be going back to a map view. Facebook recently confirmed a test that revamps the tool designed to help users connect offline with nearby friends. The location-sharing tool requires opting in and turning location services on for the Facebook app.
With Premiere Elements’ new A.I. editor, you may finally finish that video project
Continuing a trend of artificial intelligence enhancements, Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements will now create entire slideshows and collages for you when you open the program. Both entry-level programs also include speed enhancements and support for new file formats in macOS.
Stop missing the mark — here’s what you need to know about autofocus settings
Camera focusing on the wrong part of the image? Getting shots that are just out of focus? The autofocus may be to blame. Learn how autofocus works, the different types of autofocus systems, what each autofocus mode does and when to use each setting in this autofocus explainer.
Instagram hacked? Here’s how to get your account back
Instagrammers are reporting a new hack that changes the email address associated with your account -- so how do you get back into a hacked Instagram account? Here's what to do if your Instagram is hacked and how to keep your account secure from future hacks.
Pinterest’s ‘More Ideas’ tab suggests new notions based on your old ones
Searching for something, but don't have an exact keyword? Pinterest will now make suggestions based on what's already on your Board. The new tab allows users to explore more related ideas to add to the board. The update also brings suggested section tools to use.
Facebook Marketplace gets smarter with new A.I.-powered tools
Facebook's Craigslist competitor is now 2 years old, and getting even smarter, thanks to A.I. Facebook marketplace will now suggest prices based on what similar items sold for. The company is also testing a tool that would allow users to search for Marketplace items using a photo to find similar items nearby.
Facebook Premieres is a mash-up of popular Live and prerecorded videos
Love the Live chats but cringe at the quality? Facebook Premieres will mix the features of Live with prerecorded videos. Premieres are scheduled to go live at a specific time, allowing users to watch and chat together. The tool launches alongside video polls and Top Fan badges for video-focused Pages.
Pictar Pro makes phones even more DSLR-like with viewfinder and better build
The Pictar Pro gives smartphones more of the controls that a real camera has, including a viewfinder, dials, zoom toggle, shutter button, and a large grip. Miggo has added a battery and a handful of new features to the latest version while still using the same unique way to connect to the smartphone.
Adobe modernizes the PDF with updates to Acrobat, Adobe Scan
Sure, PDFs are a universal format, but they can be hard to work with. Adobe is working to ease some of those challenges with updates to Adobe Acrobat DC, Acrobat Reader, and Adobe Scan. The update includes options to sign and fill out forms, to review PDFs as a team, and to scan multiple business cards at once.
Art or science? This mesmerizing video shows the development of neurons
The 2018 Nikon Small World in Motion winners are here -- and the videos are every bit as artistic as they are scientific. Watch the growth of an entire nervous system unfolding in 3D over a matter of seconds. Try to guess how the second-place video was captured, and what the microbe in the third-place video is doing.
The race is on: Full-frame dominates Photokina (and could drive prices down)
If there's one trend in the photography world this year, it's full frame. Photokina 2018 brought not just new full-frame mirrorless cameras, but a full-frame compact with Lightroom built in. Explore all the new gear from Photokina 2018 -- and find out what the trends mean for the industry.
Zeiss puts Lightroom inside a full-frame camera with a huge touchscreen
Mobile photo editing has arrived for full frame cameras -- and you don't even need a smartphone. The Zeiss ZX1 is a full-frame compact camera with Lightroom CC built in, mixing the best of smartphone photography and advanced cameras together. The camera is slated for a launch sometime early in 2019.
The Facebook Red Manifold shows what 360 content from 16 8K lenses looks like
Hollywood videos are about to get the same movement possible in virtual reality video games. The Facebook Red Manifold is a 6DoF camera that uses 16 8K sensors from Red to capture 3D video with enough data to move in. So what's 6DoF cinema look like? Here's the first video from the Manifold.
Insta360 tosses out teasers on an upcoming stabilized, throwable 360 camera
What's next for Insta360? Teasers for a new Insta360 action camera show a camera that's well-stabilized. Oh, and you can throw it in the air too. While the camera doesn't yet have a name or full specifications, the company is suggesting big features for the upcoming camera in a series of videos.
Love gear inspired by history? Zenit returns with the Zenit M rangefinder
Optics brand Zenit just announced its first camera in more than a decade. The Zenit M is a full-frame digital rangefinder designed with collaboration from Leica. The company says the 35mm f/1 lens creates soft focus and excellent bokeh. The camera is slated for a December release in Europe.
Fujifilm unveils lower-cost GFX 50R and teases GFX 100-megapixel concept
Fujifilm made waves when they launched the medium-format mirrorless GFX 50S -- and now that camera is even smaller. Meet the Fujifilm GFX 50R, a camera with the same guts as its older sibling but with a smaller, rangefinder-style body, Bluetooth LE, and -- the best part -- a much lower price.
Sigma launches three f/1.4 lenses and the first 600mm with a 10x telephoto zoom
During Photokina 2018, Sigma unleashed five new lenses, two in the Art series, one in the Contemporary Series and two in the Sports series. The new Sigma lenses cover a range of mounts, focal lengths, and features, including the first 10x optical zoom 600mm lens for sports and other telephoto photography.
Gear from Leica, Sigma, Panasonic forms one system with new L-Mount Alliance
Brand loyalty just got a little less essential -- the new L-Mount Alliance means that L-Mount cameras and lenses from different brands can work together in the same system. The alliance includes Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic, brands that will remain separate companies but will use the same mount system.
Panasonic 10-25mm f/1.7, the brightest zoom lens yet, is like five primes in one
Panasonic just unveiled the brightest zoom lens yet, a Micro Four Thirds mount Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25mm f/1.7. The company says the zoom lens is the brightest constant aperture lens on the market -- but while the lens is like five primes in one, it comes with a catch.
Panasonic surprises with first full-frame cameras, the mirrorless S1 and S1R
Nikon and Canon aren't the only ones announcing full-frame mirrorless this year. The Panasonic Lumix S1R and S1 are the first full-frame cameras to house 60 fps 4K, as well as being the first within that category to include Dual IS. The models also have dual SD card slots.
Flying could feel more like going to the movies with VR headsets and headphones
How do you make air travel feel like not flying at all? Put a screen on your face and noise-canceling headphones in your ears. Alaska Airlines is now testing virtual reality headsets for in-flight entertainment. The airline isn't making promises for a big rollout, but is trying the gear out this week.
Snap, then shop? Snapchat’s camera will soon buy stuff from Amazon
Want to Snap that item and buy it for yourself? Snapchat is testing an option to shop on Amazon using the camera. The tool works similar to Shazaming a song inside Snapchat; users tap and hold on the screen inside the camera mode. The app then sends a pop-up of the closest match on Amazon.
Irix gets up close with the 150mm Macro in new, lightweight Dragonfly finish
Deviating from the company's original ultrawide lenses, the Europe-based Irix has announced a new 150mm macro lens. The Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 is the start of a new Dragonfly line that uses a unique construction for a lighter, durable body. Irix has not yet announced the price point.
Musicbed gives YouTube creators a legal soundtrack option
YouTube flags videos that use copyrighted music in them -- so music licensing Musicbed platform is launching a new subscription tool and a way to tell YouTube's bots to back off. Connecting the subscription to a YouTube account will automatically clear flags for copyrighted music.
Photography News of the Week: Fujifilm creates A.I. for use in designing albums
Spending too much time culling photos and designing albums? Fujifilm is developing artificial intelligence that could help -- based on your preferences. The A.I. along with new camera bags from Lowepro and extreme weather camera protection from Think Tank Photo in Photography News of the Week.
Canon crams more resolution and speed in the 65x zoom PowerShot SX70 HS
The new Canon PowerShot SX70 HS keeps the same notable 65x zoom lens but adds resolution, speed, and 4K video while lightening the camera body. The bridge camera is a much-needed update to the 4-year-old SX60 HS, with a significant increase in burst speed and video quality.
Instagram could separate hashtags for less annoying posts
Just what features will Instagram add next? One enthusiast reverse engineered the app to uncover several potential features the app could be testing, including a dedicated spot for hashtags. Geofencing could also allow users to limit who sees their posts by excluding a country or region.
Joby’s tiny tripods double as selfie sticks and hide four different modes
The Joby TelePod models are more than just compact tripods -- they also double as hand grips, selfie sticks, and tabletop tripods. Designed to accommodate smaller gear like smartphones and lightweight mirrorless, the tripods use a unique telescoping design for added versatility.