{"id":55016,"date":"2014-10-09T15:30:41","date_gmt":"2014-10-09T15:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=55016"},"modified":"2014-10-09T14:56:54","modified_gmt":"2014-10-09T14:56:54","slug":"htcs-handheld-camera-poses-challenge-to-gopro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2014\/10\/htcs-handheld-camera-poses-challenge-to-gopro\/","title":{"rendered":"HTC’s handheld camera poses challenge to GoPro"},"content":{"rendered":"
HTC has announced a waterproof, wide-angled digital camera, the RE, capable of taking still photographs and videos.<\/p>\n
The RE’s cylindrical design includes a sensor that automatically turns the device on when it is picked up and only two button controls.<\/p>\n
An app lets wirelessly connected smartphones and tablets stream the footage live and play it back later.<\/p>\n
Experts said the device would compete with GoPro’s products, but that it compared unfavourably to them.<\/p>\n
However, HTC suggested its gadget had the potential to “change the face of mobile photography”.<\/p>\n
“Combining incredible hardware with unrivalled software, HTC is reinventing the way we think about imaging,” said the Taiwanese firm’s chief executive Peter Chou.<\/p>\n
“We are taking you out from behind the viewfinder and putting you back where you belong, at the heart of the action.”<\/p>\n
The company also unveiled an Android smartphone with 13 megapixel (MP) front and rear cameras at a New York launch event.<\/p>\n
HTC recently reported net income of $640m New Taiwan Dollars ($21m; \u00a313m) for its last quarter, reversing a loss from the previous year. However, its sales were lower.<\/p>\n
No viewfinder<\/p>\n
The RE features a 16MP camera and is capable of shooting in 1080p “full high-definition” video at normal speed, and 720p in slow motion.<\/p>\n
A tap of its shutter button, at its base, takes a photo, while a longer press starts a video recording. A switch on its side allows users to change the video mode between real speed, slow motion and time lapse.<\/p>\n
It does not feature a screen of its own, but can record to a SD memory card, stream material to a live YouTube channel and send footage to an associated Android or iOS app.<\/p>\n
The suggestion is that owners use it in situations that they do not need to monitor framing – freeing them up to watch events directly as well as record them – thanks to the inclusion of a lens that captures a 146 degree field-of-view.<\/p>\n
The machine has an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it can be submerged in water to a depth of 1m (3.3ft) for up to half an hour.<\/p>\n
An add-on case can protect it to depths of 3m for two hours, and HTC is also releasing clip-on and suction mounts to allow the RE to be attached to bicycles, cars and other kit.<\/p>\n
“My big question is the form factor,” commented Francisco Jeronimo, from the tech research firm IDC.<\/p>\n
“It’s weird – it looks like an asthma inhaler.<\/p>\n
“This is a very niche product and it’s going to be very difficult for HTC to compete against GoPro.<\/p>\n
“GoPro is a very established brand in this segment and has recently announced a cheaper product that will likely cost less than what HTC will decide to charge for the RE.”<\/p>\n
He added that HTC had told him it planned to pitch the RE to a wider audience than that of GoPro, and would play up its ability to rapidly go from dormant to active states.<\/p>\n
But he added that in his opinion, a smartphone would suit most people’s needs.<\/p>\n
GoPro recently announced new models, including the top-end Hero4 Black, which can capture video in 4K – four times the resolution of the RE – and is waterproof to 40m, has a 12MP sensor and comes with a remote control. It costs \u00a3370.<\/p>\n
The firm’s new basic Hero model costs \u00a3100, records video in 1080p – the same as the RE – is also waterproof to 40m, and has a 5MP sensor.<\/p>\n
GoPro sold 3.8 million cameras last year, up 66% on 2012.<\/p>\n