Tag: Record

iOS apps can secretly record and take pictures once you’ve given them camera permission

If you want to be sure nobody is spying on you through your laptop’s webcam, the best thing you can do is cover the lens—but the same might actually be true for the camera on your Apple smartphone.

Felix Krause, a developer at Google, has found that any iOS app could secretly use the iPhone’s camera to record images and video of the user, once given permission to access the camera at all. Krause developed an app for demonstration purposes that shows how an app could use either front or rear cameras to capture images and video in the background. The resulting footage or images could be directly transferred to cloud servers without the user being aware or receiving any notifications.

The camera could also be used to run real-time face recognition, possibly even identifying the user.

The good news is that Krause’s app is not approved for distribution through the iTunes App Store; hopefully such malicious behavior would be picked up during Apple’s pretty strict review process. However, if you want to be entirely certain you’re not being spied on, the best options seem to be covering the lens or not granting camera access to any app you don’t 100 percent trust.

For a better idea of the issue, watch the video below that shows Krause’s proof-of-concept app in action, or read the full report on his website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 31, 2017
Sending Summer Off With a Bang: 55-Foot-Tall Sand Castle Snags World Record

[ By SA Rogers in Destinations & Sights & Travel. ]

It’s virtually impossible to get a sense of just how large this world-record-smashing sand castle really is until you see a shot that includes crowds of tiny humans gathered around its base. The German city of Duisburg may be landlocked, but that hasn’t stopped it from hosting an enormous sandcastle building effort two summers in a row. Last summer, their attempt at snagging the title was foiled when the castle faced a minor collapse during the building process. This year, they unseated a record set by a 50-foot-tall sand castle in Puri, India in February with their 55-foot-tall creation.

since last friday it is official. this is the tallest #sandcastle in the world. 16.68 metres. #landschaftspark #guinnessworldrecord #duisburg #ruhrpott #ruhrgebiet #ruhrgebietsliebe #sandburg #lpn #landschaftsparkduisburg

A post shared by @samazde on Sep 3, 2017 at 12:04pm PDT

Worldrecord sandcastle 16,68m ?? #sundaywalk #landschaftsparkduisburg #sunnyday

A post shared by Rima Ha (@shopaholic2911) on Sep 4, 2017 at 10:51am PDT

It took 3,860 tons of very fine quartz sand, a team of designers from 10 countries and three weeks of building time to complete. The sculptors incorporated imagery from their own nations and histories, resulting in an interesting mishmash of global influences. Look closely and you’ll spot the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Acropolis, a Buddha, Elvis’ grave and the Colosseum. A Guinness World Record jury judged the enormous sculpture on Friday, making the win official.

#Sandburg#LandschaftsparkDuisburg #Weltrekord16,68m#Duisburg

A post shared by Jens (@jens_sanders) on Sep 3, 2017 at 8:53pm PDT

?#sandburg #duisburg #schauinsland #sandburgduisburg #sand #sandcastle #sandcastles #record #worldrecord #guinessbook #picoftheday #potd #cloudy #cloudyday #clouds #landschaftsparkduisburg

A post shared by Nad Sla (@nadinesla) on Sep 3, 2017 at 2:45pm PDT

Want to check it out in person? The city of Duisburg will keep the sandcastle standing through September 29th, assuming something doesn’t cause it to collapse before then. You can see lots more photos of the sand castle by searching Instagram for the tag #landschaftsparkduisburg.

Images via: manutografie, obootsman, michaela_schu, shopaholic2911

Bike Autobahn: Germany’s 60-Mile Highway for Cyclists Only

Germany is already home to the world’s best-known superhighway, the Autobahn, and now cyclists have 60 miles of breathtaking scenery reclaimed from disused railroad tracks all to themselves. …

Bigger & Better: The World’s Largest Record-Setting [Blank]

Giant objects are fascinating. The amount of time, effort, and expense that goes into something as banal and fantastic as a pencil that has to be moved by a crane is incredible. It’s no wonder that …

Peking Yuck: The 9 Worst Statues In China

These 9 Chinese statues are so awful, many were demolished within days of their unveiling after enduring scorn and ridicule by the People’s Republic’s people.

The Brylcreem Buddha of …

[ By SA Rogers in Destinations & Sights & Travel. ]

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September 5, 2017
The next iPhone may record 4K 60fps video with front camera

A firmware leak for the Apple HomePod has already revealed that the upcoming generation of Apple’s iPhone might use ‘SmartCam’ AI to adjust to different scenes on the fly. But that’s not the only gem developers have managed to dig out of the code. Further analysis of the source code has now found that at least one of the new models might also be capable of shooting 4K video at 60 frames per second on both front and rear cameras, making it the first smartphone to offer this video specification.

The function is mentioned in a section of code related to the HEVC, or H.265 video codec that will be included in both iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, both due out this fall. HEVC is capable of maintaining high levels of image quality while using advanced compression algorithms to keep the file size down. This allows for 4K video capability to be installed in devices with limited storage or processing power.

Considering Apple’s current FaceTime front cameras only offer a 7MP stills resolution and 1080p video this would mean a huge jump in performance. The image sensor would need a bump in resolution, but presumably Apple’s new chipset will provide enough processing power to crunch the large amounts of data generated when shooting video at 4K resolution and fast frame rates.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 5, 2017
Italian Nikon distributor sets world record for largest human camera

Nikon is keeping the 100th anniversary party going with a new one-of-a-kind feat: assembling the world’s largest ‘human camera’. Italian distributor Nital and Media Italia put on the event, and over a thousand volunteers answered the call to don black, grey, white and red t-shirts. On June 17th, the human camera components were assembled into the unmistakable shape of a Nikon DSLR.

In case there was any doubt, a judge from the Guinness World Records was on hand to declare that it was indeed the largest human camera ever created. In any case, it seems like about a thousand people had a decent time and got a free t-shirt and hat out of the deal.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

June 27, 2017
Adobe achieves record revenue
Software maker Adobe has today published its financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2017 ended June 2, and the company reports a record quarterly revenue of $ 1.77 billion. At the same time operating income was increased by 46 percent and net income by 53 percent year-over-year on a GAAP-basis.

“Digital transformation continues to be the burning agenda for creative professionals, enterprises, governments and educational institutions,” said Shantanu Narayen, president and CEO, Adobe. “Adobe is the go-to company for creating world-class digital customer journeys from design to delivery to measurement and monetization.”

Other highlights of the financial results include the following:
- Diluted earnings per share was $ 0.75 on a GAAP-basis, and $ 1.02 on a non-GAAP basis.
- Digital Media segment revenue was $ 1.21 billion, with Creative revenue growing to a record $ 1.01 billion.
- Strong Creative Cloud and Document Cloud adoption and retention drove Digital Media Annualized Recurring Revenue (“ARR”) to $ 4.56 billion exiting the quarter, a quarter-over-quarter increase of $ 312 million.
- Adobe Experience Cloud achieved record revenue of $ 495 million, which represents 29 percent year-over-year growth.
- Operating income grew 46 percent and net income grew 53 percent year-over-year on a GAAP-basis; operating income grew 42 percent and net income grew 43 percent year-over-year on a non-GAAP basis.
- Cash flow from operations was $ 645 million, and deferred revenue grew to approximately $ 2.07 billion.
- The company repurchased approximately 2 million shares during the quarter, returning $ 266 million of cash to stockholders.
More information and detailed figures are available on the Adobe website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
June 21, 2017
Boxfish 360 Micro Four Thirds camera can record 5K spherical videos

Boxfish Research has announced the launch of its new Boxfish 360, a 5K camera equipped with multiple Panasonic Micro Four Thirds sensors able to capture spherical photos and video. This model is designed for professional use and, according to the company, offers better clarity and colors than similar 360-degree rigs created using multiple action cameras. The camera made its debut at CES 2017.

Boxfish 360 features 185-degree circular fisheye lenses with an F1.8 maximum aperture, an internal battery offering up to 90 minutes of recording per charge and both 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch mounting threads. Though the cameras are secured within a fully waterproof housing, Boxfish Research says the battery and microSD cards (up to six supported) can be quickly accessed without using tools via a hatch.

Videos are recorded using the H.264 codec with a bit rate of 60Mbps, and still images are saved as JPGs and DNGs. Boxfish 360 offers up to a claimed 10 stops of dynamic range and records camera metrics such as water temperature, water depth and camera orientation during recording. Operators are given various elements of control, such as underwater start/stop and manual aperture control.

Boxfish released the camera for preorder last week and will begin shipping the next batch starting May 15. Interested buyers can pay a 50% balance of the $ 14,990 USD price tag to secure a unit, or buyers can pay outright ahead of the shipment date. A total of ten cameras are offered in the next batch, some of which are already reserved.

Via: Boxfish Research

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

April 11, 2017
Chronos high-speed camera hits crowdfunding goal in record time

The Chronos 1.4 affordable high-speed camera that created some buzz on the internet about a month ago has now made it onto Kickstarter and reached its funding goal of approximately $ 48,000 in only 5 hours. The Chronos 1.4 can shoot high-speed video with 1,957 fps at its full resolution of 1280 × 1024 pixels, and up to 21,600 fps at lower resolutions.

The Chronos captures its footage on a 8.45 x 6.76mm sensor with a 6.6um pixel pitch. A global shutter means that leaning verticals won’t be an issue and the electronic shutter achieves a fastest speed of 1/500,000 sec. The sensitivity can be adjusted between ISO 320-5120 when shooting in color and 740-11840 in monochrome mode. The camera takes C and CS-mount video lenses and comes with a 5″ 800×480 touchscreen, an SD-card slot, audio IO connector, built-in microphone and HDMI out. Power is supplied by a standard Nikon camera battery.

If you want to support the project and reserve a Chronos 1.4, you can do so by pledging approximately $ 3,000, a fraction of the cost of other pro-level high-speed cameras, on the Chronos Kickstarter page. Shipping of the first units is planned for March 2017. You can find more information on the Chronos website, some sample footage can be seen in the video below.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

November 26, 2016
Record Breaking: Magnetic Levitating Turntable Lets Vinyl Defy Gravity

[ By WebUrbanist in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]

Cool and clever trump common sense and normal physics in this levitating record turntable, which aims to bring a vintage technology into the future.

Mag-Lev Audio wants to push audio technology in a new (vertical) direction, creating an “uplifting experience of music” in the form of the world’s first floating record player.

The device, the creators claim, not just about a look, but also the ability to “maintain the incredibly precise turning of the platter with sensor regulating software. Air is the smoothest medium with least amount of friction, which further elevates this project into a truly unique listening experience.”

Feet support the spinning platter when it is not in use while stored-up power can bring the system to a comfortable stop and lift the needle in case of an outage (instead of it dropping the floating disc uncontrolled).

The makers boast the simplicity of the system: “pick a favorite record; turn the turntable on; move the tone arm into position; and lower the cueing lever; then let the smart-record player do the rest.”

A series of LED lights and digital displays lend the entire setup an air of cyberpunk futurism as well, reinforcing the ambient aesthetic created by the floating form of the disk. Whether this approach will take off remains to be seen, but the gadget has already raised enough money on Kickstarter to make it happen.

For the Record: 13 Modern & Conceptual Turntable Designs

As record players enjoy a resurgence in popularity, their designs get sleeker and more modern, incorporating 3D printing, lasers, magnets that levitate the disc so it plays while in mid-air and …

Air Bonsai: Magnetic Levitation Kit Lets You Float Little Trees

Taking bonsai approaches to the next level, a Japanese company based out of Kyushu has raised over half a million dollars so far for its levitating (and rotating) tree system.

The fauna …

Anti-Gravity Hotel: Sleep Suspended in Levitating Space Suit

If various aches and pains or a childhood fantasy about being an astronaut make you wish you could sleep in antigravity, here’s a way to make it happen – sort of. A group of architecture …

[ By WebUrbanist in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]

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October 23, 2016
Record Breakers: 12 Legitimately Sky-Scraping Tower Projects

[ By SA Rogers in Architecture & Offices & Commercial. ]

After a few years of recession-induced stalling, record-smashing skyscrapers are going up around the world at a steady pace, knocking each other out of the top positions every year or so. While Dubai’s Burj Khalifa has held strong as the world’s tallest building, a number of new super-tall structures have sprouted up in the last two years to claim titles as the tallest in various cities and hemispheres, and a few proposals that are almost too tall to be believed aim to surpass the Burj by 2020.

432 Park Avenue, New York City

The tallest residential building in the world stands at 432 Park Avenue, topping out at 1,396 feet of exclusive condominium apartments. Completed in December 2015, the building is the third-tallest building in the United States and the second tallest building in New York City, behind One World Trade Center and ahead of the Empire State Building. It’s expected to be equaled in height by the 111 West 57th Street project in mid-2018. The video above documents the construction of the tower over the course of the entire building process.

MahaNakhon Skyscraper by Ole Scheeren, Thailand

Pixelating in two sections along the way to its 1,030-foot-high pinnacle, the MahaNakhon tower by Ole Scheeren is a striking new addition to Bangkok’s skyline. Located in the city’s central business district, the tower is Thailand’s tallest building and contains a public landscape plaza, retail center, 200 serviced apartments and a 150-room boutique hotel.

The Tower in Dubai by Santiago Calatrava

Famed architect Santiago Calatrava announced this year that he has been chosen to design and build the world’s tallest building, set to surpass the Burj Khalifa. Planned for Dubai Creek Harbor, ‘The Tower’ is a landmark observation structure offering panoramic views across the city from ‘The Pinnacle Room’ and observation garden decks attempting to recreate the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The tower will also contain a luxury boutique hotel, and is expected to be completed in advance of Dubai’s turn hosting the Expo 2020.

Grand Tower, Germany’s Tallest Residential Skyscraper

Germany’s tallest residential skyscraper is set to send 400 floors of high-end residences straight up into the sky of Frankfurt, creating a new urban landmark. The height of the tower will far surpass that of Germany’s provost tallest residential structure, the Colonia-Haus in Cologne. The penthouses at the top will enjoy wraparound glass-walled balconies gazing out onto the city.

Next Page – Click Below to Read More:
Recent Record Breakers 12 Legitimately Sky Scraping Tower Projects

World’s Tallest Tower: Dubai Superstructure by Santiago Calatrava

Edging out the record-holding Burj Khalifa by just a hair, the world’s tallest tower is set to rise into the Dubai skies by 2020 as the crown jewel of a new waterfront development. Neofuturist …

Triangle Tower Approved: First New Paris Skyscraper in 42 Years

At nearly 600 feet (180 meters) tall, this structure was narrowly granted permission to be the first skyscraper to grace the Parisian skyline in nearly half a century. Designed by Herzog & De …

Crowdfunded Skyscraper: Record-Breaking Tower in Bogotá

With over $ 200 million from more than 3,500 supporters, the world’s largest crowdfunding campaign has generated the means to create the highest skyscraper in Colombia (and the first new one in 40 …

[ By SA Rogers in Architecture & Offices & Commercial. ]

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WebUrbanist

September 6, 2016
World record camera collector now has over 4500 – and a short film about himself

Indian Dilish Parekh has once again beaten his own world record for having the largest camera collection, with his personal museum now housing 4500 exhibits. In August 2013 DP Review reported that he had 4425 cameras, but in the intervening three years he has grown his hoard by 75 more models.

Filmmaker Dheerankur Upasak visited Dilish, who has held the Guinness Book of World Records title since 2003, at his home in Mumbai to make a short about the man and some of the models in his collection. Dilish says that he started collecting in 1970 when his grandfather gave him cameras as gifts – and things went from there. He never spends more than $ 15 on a camera, but has still managed to accumulate quite a number of rare and expensive bodies, such as the Leica Reporter GG 250. Only 950 were made and one sold with a motor drive at the ‘100 Years of Leica’ Westlicht auction for €576,000 in 2014.

The collection spans only the years between 1890 and 1960 and includes all of Canon’s rangefinder models. Dilish isn’t for selling the collection, though he says he gets lots of offers, and he has instructed his sons not to sell once he passes away.

Dheerankur filmed the piece on a Canon EOS 5D III with Pentax 50mm f/1.2, Tamron 90mm macro and Tair 11-133mm f/2.8 lenses.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 20, 2016