Isn’t it wierd how the eyes seem to follow you?
It is all well and good pointing out the technical and performance restrictions on smartphones and tablets when used for video conferencing, but the fact of the matter is that they will be used increasingly for video communication and collaboration of one sort of another. Sure, an HD desktop or immersive room system will give a better experience, often a stunningly good one, but sometimes good is good enough. The WISE TIVI camera is an interesting case in point, for $90 you get an Android device connected to your television via an HDMI cable, and capable of running any Android-based VC application. At that sort of price, why wouldn’t you?
Recognising the important part that mobile devices are playing and are set to play in our VC lives, products that enhance their usability are worthy of serious consideration, and the New Swivl is one such item. The new Swivl is a multipurpose motion and tracking platform for imaging and teleconferencing and it works with iPads, iPhones, DSLRs and Android devices. It has a smooth, highly adjustable pan and tilt motion system and can automatically follows users for self-captured video. And it can enable an iPad to be used as a remote for a DSLR.
In use, an iPad can be easily mounted onto it and used as a camera (and screen) for conferencing. The neat twist is that the premium edition of Swivl includes Subject Following; a remote microphone, held by the user, allows the Swivl to track the them as they move.
With SRP forecast to be $149 and $229 this is going to be a no-brainer for many users, whether the application is for capturing presentations and lectures, remote control of cameras, or video collaboration. The company aims to ship mid-2013 and will be around CES next month. It’s a fair guess we’ll see them at Infocomm as well. Meanwhile if you want to learn more you can go here: http://www.swivl.com/2012/12/ . Swivl will be “debuting” via a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter. To place an early order, you can go to: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/satarii/swivl-multipurpose-motion-platform-for-mobile-and