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Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’

High-profile camera expert leaves Microsoft, returns to Nokia

03 Aug

As the former Head of Imaging at Nokia, Juha Alakarhu was a key figure in the development of the Finnish company’s PureView cameras. The innovative technology was implemented in models such as the Nokia 808 or Lumia 1020, which by many mobile photographers are still viewed as the best smartphone cameras ever made. Unfortunately, slightly slower than usual camera processing speeds and the high cost of the technology meant the devices never really caught on in the mass-market.

When Nokia’s device division was sold to Microsoft, Alakarhu and his team moved as well, but now it looks as if Microsoft is pretty much abandoning its entire smartphone business, making redundant a large proportion of the employees that were hired as part of the Nokia acquisition. Camera expert Alakarhu is among a number of high-profile engineers who have already found a new role, though, and it’s with his former employer. He is returning to Nokia as the head of the Ozo VR camera.

If you’d like to refresh your knowledge on Nokia’s PureView technology you can read our interview with Juha that was conducted on the occasion of the Nokia 808 launch in 2012.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft Pix aims to capture better people pictures

28 Jul

Microsoft has released a new camera app that puts its focus on taking better pictures of people. The Pix app is now available for iPhone and iPad, and Microsoft says an Android version is in the works. When active the app is constantly recording and saves 10 frames before and after its shutter button is pressed. A series of algorithms then analyzes the recorded images, evaluating technical quality characteristics, such as sharpness or exposure, but also looking at facial expressions of human subjects.

Based on those characteristics among others, the app then selects three best shots and presents them to the user. The filtered shots are discarded to save space, but not before the image information contained in them is used to enhance the selected shots. For example, the app can brighten app images that have been captured in very dark conditions. 

Additionally, Pix converts a bunch of similar images into a moving Live Image, but only if it thinks the motion in the scene is interesting. The app also integrates Microsoft’s Hyperlapse feature. In addition to recording stabilized time-lapses, in its latest incarnation it also allows you to turn existing images into time-lapses or simply stabilize previously recorded video footage. 

One of the most interesting aspects of Pix is that we can expect the app to get better with time. Anonymized settings data and information on what pictures users delete or favorite is sent back to Microsoft where developers look at the data and fine-tune the app’s algorithms accordingly. Microsoft Pix for iOS can now be downloaded from the Apple App Store.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft Lumia 950 camera review

15 Apr

In addition to strong camera specifications like a 1/2.4″-type 20MP Sony sensor and Zeiss branded F1.9 lens, the Lumia 950 boasts some tantalizing mobile photography features like Raw capture and extensive manual controls. Unfortunately, its imaging feature set is behind the competition in some notable ways. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft provides additional detail on Lumia 950 and 950XL cameras

17 Oct

Earlier this month Microsoft launched the long-awaited successors to the Nokia Lumia 930 and 1520: the Lumia 950 and 950XL. Now a post on the Microsoft Devices Blog provides some more detail about the camera hardware and software in the new models, along with some impressive-looking sample images. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft Surface Pro 4 comes with larger screen and more power

07 Oct

Today Microsoft not only launched two new smartphones with PureView camera, but also the latest incarnation of its high-end Surface Pro tablet capable of running full desktop apps, such as Adobe Photoshop CC or Lightroom. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft retires Photosynth apps

14 Jul

Microsoft has retired its Photosynth apps for Windows Phone and iOS. The apps allow mobile users to create spherical panoramas. Microsoft is directing users instead to its new web-based Photosynth technical preview, which it calls a more immersive and robust platform. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft launches its Hyperlapse app

16 May

Last year, Microsoft introduced its hyperlapse algorithm for stabilizing camera footage into smooth timelapses. Now, the technology comes to life as the company has released the product as an app for Windows Phone, and as a beta app for Android devices as well as other Microsoft platforms. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft announces Surface 3 tablet running full Windows

01 Apr

Microsoft has announced the latest model in its Surface line of tablets, the Surface 3. The big news here is that, unlike its predecessors which were running Windows RT, the new model comes with a full version of Windows 8.1. This means, like on the more expensive Surface Pro models, you can install and run any Windows application including Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, making the Surface 3 a real alternative to a conventional PC. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft Image Composite Editor 2.0 offers new panorama features and improved interface

09 Feb

Microsoft’s Research’s Interactive Visual Media Group has announced the release of Image Composite Editor 2.0. The software’s latest update, taking advantage of the company’s Photosynth technology, can seamlessly stitch together ‘gigapixel images’, create panoramas from video, and automatically fill in areas of missing photographs. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Microsoft offers Office 365 subscribers unlimited OneDrive storage

28 Oct

Microsoft has announced that all users subscribed to Office 365 will begin to see their OneDrive cloud storage upgraded to unlimited space for no additional cost. The new change will begin rolling out over the next few months to subscribers of the Home, Personal, and University editions. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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