DJI lessens smartphone video camera shakes with Osmo Mobile

Want to take less shaky smartphone videos? DJI outs its latest handheld 3-axis stabilizer gimbal for smartphones. The Osmo Mobile works similar to the gimbal used by the brand’s drones but it lacks a built-in camera. Instead it relies on the camera of your smartphones. It makes use of the same stabilizer technology found in DJI’s Phantom 4 drone.

If you use it with the DJI software, the stabilizer is capable of locking onto a person’s face to take great selfies even when the subject and camera are moving. The software also helps you take time lapse videos, panoramic, and long-exposure shots without using a tripod. The DJI Osmo Mobile retails for US$300 (approx. CA$390) and will be coming out in two weeks.

Source: TechCrunch

Acer introduces Chromebook with 13-inch touchscreen display

Acer outs the biggest Chromebook yet. The new Chromebook R13 revealed at IFA in Berlin sports a 13.3-inch touch-based 1080p IPS display. The Chromebooks of past have all played in the 10- to 11-inch space so it’s refreshing to see a bigger model. This laptop is convertible into a tablet with 10-point touch capabilities and allows for tapping, swiping, and pinch-to-zoom gestures. While Chrome OS isn’t particularly touch-friendly, the feature might come in handy when Android apps come to Chromebooks soon.

Other specs for the R13 include USB Type-C port, USB 3.0, HDMI out, Bluetooth 4.0 support, and 720p webcam. It comes with 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB storage and 4GB of RAM. Battery life is touted at 12 hours. The R13 will be available in October with starting price at US$400 (roughly CA$520).

Source: Gizmodo

Facebook now features Instant Video on Messenger App

Facebook's Messenger app has become the go-to messaging and voice calling solution for millions of users around the world. Well, Messenger now allows for Instant Video thanks to the latest app update.  The feature, which rolls out starting today, will allow users to quickly share videos by simply tapping an icon with the Messenger application. Once selected, a floating video will appear within the conversation and will allow your friends to see what you’re seeing until the video is closed out.

"Instant Video is a reflection of the ubiquity of video — we simply expect to have that ability in real-time, all the time. With Instant Video, you can bring your conversations to life in the most authentic way — seamlessly and instantly," explains Facebook.

Latest Instagram app update brings pinch to zoom functionality across devices

While some of Instagram's more recent feature updates seem like slavish rip offs of Snapchat, they are adding some useful functionality that allows users to better work within the rather limited platform of square photos and videos. The latest update to the popular photo and video sharing app, version 9.2 now allows you to zoom into photos via the popular pinch to zoom gesture. It's a better way to zoom into details and minutiae. The update also offers a better low-light mode for Stories.