Nikon to expand Android OS to cameras
Share:
The full list of rumored specs include:
- 25-250 mm lens
- 3.5" OLED screen
- The camera runs all Google Play apps
- The camera will probably run Android 2.3
- Built-in GPS
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Possible announcement: August 22, 2012
The lack of a cell radio means that these cameras won’t truly be mobile devices, but with built in Wi-Fi and a full-fledged mobile operating system it’s not hard to imagine that offloading picture to the cloud and direct posting to social media could be popular features for the point and shoot crowd. It’s not hard to imagine this sort of feature creeping up into the prosumer digital SLR cameras if they find success with the initial model.
What about you guys? Do you want a camera with a mobile OS running on it, or are you satisfied with the not-so-smart cameras? Or heck, have you already eschewed cameras altogether in favor of the phone camera that is always in your pocket?
source: Nikon Rumors via The Verge
Share:
Bell's Q2 results lead to a hike in the dividend 
HTC Endeavor C2 to be a higher spec'd version of the HTC One X for a UK 
-
Huawei Ascend D2 surprisingly scores as best 1080p LCD display, beats HTC One, Sony Xperia Z
-
HTC Butterfly S is announced
-
Alleged iPhone 5S display front pops up in high resolution
-
Exclusive: HTC One Mini will be coming to AT&T
-
Video of iOS 7 on iPad may show faster boot time
-
@DroidLanding comes back online, new DROID on the way?
22 Comments
1. Savage posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:04 8
Uh oh, Building a camera phone with Gingerbread is not wise. They should release it with ICS atleast.
Or even better, they can form partnership with any one OEM and make cameras for their phones.
8. MeoCao (unregistered) posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:37 4
No, I think GB is better suited for camera than ICS as it's lighter and the resolution of camera's screen is obviously not very high.
10. Savage posted on 08 Aug 2012, 12:03 3
GB is lighter, but its too old. People won't fancy buying devices that run a 2 year old OS now.
11. MeoCao (unregistered) posted on 08 Aug 2012, 12:21 2
I guess for cameras users care about functions and not the version of OS, until the competion heats up.
13. whysoserious posted on 08 Aug 2012, 13:13 2
True. I think Nikkon's goal here is to simply incorporate google apps and features to their p&s cameras that would be suitable for taking pictures only. So a better version of OS would not be necessary (for now.)
15. 305Bucko posted on 08 Aug 2012, 15:31 0
At the moment, I really dont think it matters if its 2.3. The fact that you can take a picture and have it instant upload to google+, or post to facebook or instagram is really the idea here.
I dont really think its about google now features or any other ICS/JB features.
Its more about wifi conectivity. 2.3 will be fine. This camera will sell like crazy
20. Mario1017 posted on 09 Aug 2012, 19:07 0
Even if GB is old it is still miles better than any other camera OS by a land slide. ICS is not necessary for a CAMERA when it didn't bring any new features to the camera app. (Panorama was on gingerbread phones long before ICS)
14. Joshua9007 posted on 08 Aug 2012, 14:45 1
There are a few points to be made on this comment thread...
First, it does not matter what OS is pre-installed, you can usually download whatever you want to a android device, as long as the developers can make the camera work.
Second, to refute my previous point, they probably will use far outdated hardware to run it because it is now cheap and they are not worrying about how fluid angry birds runs... they are primarily thinking of the social aspect of being able to post to facebook etc. As it makes their camera more appealing to use instead of a phone.
Thirdly, I really like the licensing idea for a smartphone as I would love to have a Nikon camera with me on my phone... But they want to sell cameras, and there is not a whole lot of profit to be squeezed out when people are just willing to pay the $199 upgrade per phone.
Plus, I know that I have used my phone as a camera and it has died...voiding its primary use
... so it might be better to keep them separate, as long as they create a good interface for it (I was thinking the home screens could be shooting modes!)
The real benefit of using this is that they do not have to develop their own software, and the can focus on the lenses, which I think is good.
2. MalakiMills posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:05 4
I don't see the downside. As long as it can still produce high quality photos, like a point and shoot should, then android is just an added bonus.
3. kamil posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:13 0
took them long enough i knew this day would come( i am a nikon fan)
4. KingKurogiii posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:20 6
i have an idea!
instead of bringing Android to the Cameras...
let's bring the Cameras to the Android...SMARTPHONES! ;D
16. XPERIA-KNIGHT posted on 08 Aug 2012, 17:44 2
HAHAHAH that is exactly what I thought when I seen the article!! I thought android was gonna bring Nikon over and make the camera better for android! LOL
22. dmckay12 posted on 09 Aug 2012, 21:09 0
I think that it would be nice, but it will not work well. If HTC released a phone with Nikon optics and sensors, Nikon will have operate like chip makers and sell the hardware to HTC who sells the phone to us. I don't think this will work because if HTC screwed it up, Nikon would have to bear partial responsibility. This would require a lot of working together for a minor selling point which could ruin Nikon's reputation.
5. IamYourFather6657 posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:32 2
go partner up with htc
although their cameras are quite good but i expect the camera on the one x to be a little better
with nikon htc is unstoppable !
New HTC One X plus , with beats audio and nikon photography
6. pokharkarsaga posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:32 0
i think its time for camera manufacturers like Nikon,Canon etc to step in the smartphone world,so that they can introduce new optics technologies for mobiles.its time to expand.Mobile world is ocean and after some years it will be space.
7. simplyj posted on 08 Aug 2012, 11:33 0
As long as they don't put Android on their DSLRs and keep it on their s**tty point n shoots, i'll be happy.
12. MorePhonesThanNeeded posted on 08 Aug 2012, 12:29 4
Really is there any place for elitist talk like this?
21. joey_sfb posted on 09 Aug 2012, 20:56 0
Let the market decided. Android is a free OS and Nikon might setup their own app store like amazon. If they end up working with Google all the better.
The keyword here is freedom of choice. iOS and Windows are both lock down close platform. Nothing is possible without paying them hundreds of millons dollar.
In fact i surprise it take Nikon this long to realize. Canon and Sony would soon follows.
18. dmckay12 posted on 09 Aug 2012, 07:21 0
There will be a time where everything is smarter than it needs to be.
