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DJI Mic Mini Dowsizes Wireless Audio for Content Creators
Apple Unveils iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro with Advanced AI and A18 Chip
Nikon Unveils Z6 III: A Powerhouse for Content Creation
Apple Unveils Next-Generation iPad Pro with M4 Chip and Stunning Tandem OLED Display
Insta360 Announcnes the Powerful New X4 8K 360° Action Camera

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Apple Unveils iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro with Advanced AI and A18 Chip

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Apple has officially announced the iPhone 16 lineup, including the standard iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and the high-end iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. The tech giant’s latest releases bring significant upgrades in performance, artificial intelligence, and photography, marking another step forward in smartphone evolution.

Image Credit – Apple

iPhone 16 Pro: Powered by the New A18 Pro Chip

The iPhone 16 Pro is positioned as the flagship of Apple’s lineup, equipped with the A18 Pro chip—an upgrade that promises to push the boundaries of mobile computing. According to Apple, the A18 Pro brings faster processing, more efficient power use, and enhanced AI capabilities. It’s designed for users who demand peak performance, whether for multitasking, intensive gaming, or professional-grade apps.

Image Credit – Apple

AI integration is front and center with the Apple Intelligence system embedded in the iPhone 16 Pro, driving smarter features like photo analysis, dynamic personalization, and task automation. Apple’s push into AI reflects an industry-wide shift toward integrating machine learning into everyday tasks, making smartphones more responsive and adaptive.

On the photography side, the iPhone 16 Pro boasts a 48MP sensor and 2x telephoto lens, improving its ability to capture detailed images in a variety of conditions. Low-light performance has been enhanced, an area where Apple continues to compete fiercely with rivals like Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy series. For users focused on content creation, the new camera system is a major selling point.

Image Credit – Apple

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus: Solid Upgrades Centered on AI

While the iPhone 16 Pro grabs headlines, the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus are far from overshadowed. These models are powered by the A18 chip—a step below the Pro’s A18 Pro but still packing significant improvements over last year’s models. The A18 chip promises faster app performance and smoother multitasking for general users, ensuring that day-to-day tasks like video streaming, social media, and gaming are snappy and reliable.

Apple’s focus on AI extends to these models as well, with Apple Intelligence delivering personalized suggestions and smarter automation. Although the camera setup isn’t quite as powerful as the Pro version, the iPhone 16 still features an upgraded sensor and improved low-light performance, making it more than capable of delivering high-quality photos and videos for casual users.

Image Credit – Apple

A Differentiated Lineup

With this year’s launch, Apple seems intent on offering more distinct experiences across its lineup. The iPhone 16 Pro targets power users, professionals, and creators who demand the highest performance and features, while the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus cater to a broader audience seeking a balance of quality and affordability. The decision to include the A18 Pro chip exclusively in the Pro model and limit the standard models to the A18 chip highlights Apple’s strategy of drawing a clearer line between its flagship and base devices. This differentiation is particularly noticeable in the camera and graphics performance, where the Pro models are designed to shine.

What to Expect

Apple’s decision to include the A18 Pro chip exclusively in the Pro models and the A18 chip in the standard models underscores the company’s focus on distinguishing its devices by performance tiers. As smartphones become more central to content creation and productivity, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will likely appeal to users who rely on cutting-edge technology for work and entertainment. In fact, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will have more pro models on hand than base models.

Image Credit – Apple

Pricing and availability

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus offer many of the benefits of the Pro model but at a more accessible price. Starting at $799 for the iPhone 16 and $899 for the iPhone 16 Plus, both models are powered by the A18 chip, which promises faster app performance and better energy efficiency compared to previous generations. Apple is also hedging its bets by continuing to offer the iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone SE with a modest price drop.

While the AI capabilities are less advanced than the Pro’s, the Apple Intelligence system still enhances everyday tasks, from smarter app recommendations to more intuitive automation. The camera systems on both models also see improvements, though they lack the Pro’s telephoto lens and enhanced processing power.

Like the Pro models, pre-orders for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will start on September 15, with availability on September 22.

Apple’s new iPhone 16 lineup is poised to hit the market ahead of the holiday season, with strong demand expected for both the standard and Pro models. The question remains whether these upgrades will be compelling enough to drive major sales in an increasingly competitive smartphone landscape.

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Blackmagic Camera App Gets an Upgrade with Multi-Camera Magic

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Blackmagic Design has just dropped a game-changer for mobile filmmakers with the release of version 2.0 of its Blackmagic Camera app for iOS. Packed with powerful new features, this update is set to revolutionize how we shoot and manage video on our iPhones and iPads.

Image Credit – Blackmagic Design

Multi-Camera Mastery

One of the most exciting additions to the app is the ability to remotely control and monitor multiple iPhone cameras simultaneously. Imagine the possibilities! With this feature, you can essentially transform your iPhone into a professional-grade multi-camera setup. Whether you’re shooting a live event, a documentary, or a complex production, the ability to control multiple cameras from a single device is a game-changer.

The app allows you to view up to nine cameras at once, giving you complete control over settings like zoom, focus, white balance, and frame rate. And with the support for Apple Silicon-based iPad Pros, you can turn your iPad into a command center, making it easier than ever to manage your multi-camera shoot.

High Frame Rates and Beyond

For those who crave cinematic slow-motion footage, the iPhone 15 Pro users will be thrilled to know that the app now supports high frame rate recording at up to 100 fps in 1080p. This opens up a world of creative possibilities for capturing stunning slow-motion shots.

In addition to multi-camera control and high frame rates, the update also includes a range of other useful features. Batch copying and deleting clips will significantly speed up your workflow, and the ability to instantly upload proxy and original files to Blackmagic Cloud Storage is a huge time-saver.

Performance and Compatibility

Blackmagic has also focused on improving the overall performance and stability of the app, ensuring a smoother user experience.

To take advantage of these new features, you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 17.0 or later with an A12 Bionic chip or newer. iPad users will need an A12 Bionic chip or later and iPadOS 17.0. The app is also compatible with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Final thoughts

Blackmagic’s Camera app 2.0 is a significant leap forward for mobile filmmaking. With its powerful new features, including multi-camera control, high frame rates, and improved workflow tools, it empowers creators to produce professional-quality videos directly from their iPhones and iPads. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or just starting, this update is definitely worth checking out.

Availability

The Blackmagic Camera app is available for free download on the iOS App Store.

Have you tried the new Blackmagic Camera app? What are your thoughts on the multi-camera feature? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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Atomos’ Latest Innovation: The Ninja Phone

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Atomos has unveiled the Ninja Phone, a revolutionary device that turns your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max into a professional video recording beast. This innovative kit combines Atomos’s processing muscle with the iPhone’s power, allowing you to capture high-quality 10-bit ProRes footage from any professional HDMI camera.

Image Credit – Atomos

Now a device that turns your iPhone into an external video monitor is hardly news. Acsoon put the Seemo on the market two years ago. But here’s where things get interesting: Atomos is betting big on the iPhone 15 Pro’s stunning OLED display as a professional monitor. “This screen delivers exceptional clarity and detail,” said Atomos CEO Jeromy Young, “making it a perfect companion for modern mirrorless cameras.”

The iPhone 15 Pro’s OLED tech boasts an impressive 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. This translates to flawless outdoor shooting with a wider dynamic range, eliminating the need for extra monitors.

The Atomos Ninja Phone doubles down as a high-resolution external monitor, complete with a dedicated app for tweaking camera settings and switching between ProRes and H.265 codecs with full 10-bit color and resolution, and then for storing captured ProRes videos directly to your iPhone for easy editing, or instantly uploaded camera-to-cloud style for smoother cloud storage and workflows. It can even live stream to the internet.

Image Credit – Atomos

Designed for on-the-go creators, the Ninja Phone comes housed in a protective case with a built-in recorder and mounting points for attaching accessories like lights or microphones. Plus, its flexible power system keeps both the recorder and your iPhone juiced for extended shoots, all in a lightweight package of less than 350 grams (iPhone included) that won’t weigh you down.

The Ninja Phone caters to both seasoned filmmakers and social media enthusiasts. Creators can choose between traditional widescreen or the trendy 9:16 aspect ratio for social media content. It even works with iPads, allowing you to record directly to your iPad Pro for a bigger editing canvas.

The Atomos Ninja Phone is now available for pre-order. The recorder module starts at $399, with the Ninja Phone Case (including a secure cable management system) priced at $59. Shipping starts in June 2024.

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Blackmagic Camera App Update Enhances iPhone Video Recording

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Blackmagic has released an update to its Blackmagic Camera app designed to make recording video on the iPhone more reliable and user-friendly. The Camera 1.2 update introduces haptic feedback for control dials, providing a more precise and intuitive experience for making adjustments. Additionally, the app’s screen layout has been improved, and six new languages have been added.

The updated layout ensures that essential controls, including focus peaking, zebra, and false color, remain visible even when the image is zoomed in, allowing mobile filmmakers to closely monitor focus and image quality during recording. Improved grid controls with horizon detection and the ability to flip the image for SLR lenses with depth-of-field adapters further enhance the app’s usability.

Image Credit – Blackmagic Design

Blackmagic has also added support for custom LUTs, enabling users to apply specific looks to their footage and embed them directly into the video file. Flicker-free recording is now possible thanks to adjustable shutter presets for 50 or 60 Hz settings, ensuring compatibility with various lighting environments.

Apple Log has been expanded to include a Rec 709 LUT, providing users with more color grading options. Additionally, users can now tag the color space for their footage. Audio recording has also been enhanced, with the option to choose from the iPhone’s front, back, or even bottom microphones for directional audio capture.

Performance improvements include refined animations for player and slate views, as well as stealth mode optimization for smaller iPhone models. Users can now group camera settings for more efficient management, and clips can be dragged and dropped between different projects in the media panel.

To further enhance the user experience, Blackmagic has added six new languages to the app: Chinese, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. Setting adjustments can also be exported and imported, and the recording HUD has been improved. Additionally, uploading can be disabled while on data to conserve bandwidth.

The Blackmagic Camera 1.2 update is available as a free download from the Apple iOS app store.

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iPhone 15 Overheating Sparks Concerns

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Complaints are surfacing just days after the release of Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 15. Early users have been vocal about overheating issues that make the device uncomfortably hot to handle, with speculations pointing towards the A17 Pro processor as the primary culprit, especially when the battery charge falls below the 70 percent mark.

Image Credit – Apple

While it’s important to note that not all iPhone 15 users are experiencing this problem, a significant number have voiced their concerns of rising temperatures during the initial phone setup, where users migrate their profiles, apps, and media to the new device. However, once this setup phase is complete, many have reported a reduction in overheating.

Some users, however, also report overheating issues persisting whole gaming, a feature of the iPhone 15 Pro that Apple spent a great deal of focus on during the phone’s keynote announcement. It has been a notable trigger for overheating, to the extent that users have found the device too hot to hold comfortably.

Tech journalist Joanna Stern, known for her work with the Wall Street Journal, raised the issue on X (fka Twitter), highlighting that her iPhone 15 Pro Max reached a scorching 106 degrees Fahrenheit while charging. She also noted that similar overheating problems were encountered with the iPhone 14 models.

Other technorati corroborated these claims, describing how the iPhone 15 Pro Max became unbearably hot around the frame in the area where the phone’s A17 Pro processor is mounted.

The temperature increase seems to mount while the phone is ant 25-60% battery capacity and then decreases once the phone reaches over 70% charge.

Overheating not only impacts user comfort but also raises performance concerns and the risk of damage to internal components. Additionally, battery performance can be severely affected, and there’s a potential risk of users getting burned.

Moreover, the overheating issues could cause throttling of processor heavy applications, which gaming would certainly apply. For content creators, this is a chief concern, especially when capturing long format videos at 4K.

Interestingly, Apple’s keynote presentation for the iPhone 15 Pro highlighted a Grade 5 titanium band frame designed to dissipate heat. However, this design choice raises questions, as direct contact with a hot frame may not be ideal for users.

Apple has an official support page dedicated to handling overheating issues, outlining the normal operating temperature range for their devices and the measures taken when the phone exceeds these limits, such as thermal throttling and display dimming.

It’s anticipated that Apple will address the overheating problem through a future firmware update. In the meantime, users can mitigate overheating by adjusting display brightness, turning off unnecessary features like Bluetooth, and closing apps reliant on location services. Furthermore, it’s advisable not to use the device while it’s charging, and in extreme cases, turning it off and moving it to a cooler environment is recommended.

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Apple Sets Date Fall iPhone Event

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Image Credit – Apple

Apple has set the date for their fall product announcement event.  The event, with the theme “Wanderlust,” is set for September 12th at 1PM ET / 10AM PT.

Look for the company to unveil four new models of the iPhone 15, and a pair of new Apple Watches, and the launch of iOS17, iPadOS 17, and who knows what else.

We’ve discussed the rumored specs of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max here. They include a a17 Bionic processor, titanium exoskeleton, USB-C and a rumored new periscope style camera for up to 6x optical zoom.

Apple will also offer a standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus with a stainless steel frame, USB-C connector and the a16 Bionic processor inherited from the iPhone 14 Pro.

Expect the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra to have modest performance and features enhancements.

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Moment Announces Three New Smartphone Lenses

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Moment, a trailblazing name in the world of mobile content creation accessories, has just taken the wraps off its eagerly awaited third-generation T-Series lenses designed exclusively for mobile content creators. This new release is poised to elevate the mobile photography against, enabling users to capture breathtaking shots with remarkable ease and precision. But with smartphone cameras offering more focal length options, has the moment passed for third party lenses?

Sharper Shots, No Fuss

These new T-series lenses aren’t about fancy tech talk; they’re about giving your iPhone camera a significant boost. Imagine capturing those breathtaking landscapes, getting up close and personal with tiny wonders, or blurring backgrounds for stunning portraits—all without lugging around hefty camera gear. That’s the promise Moment’s new lenses bring to the table.

Image Credit – Moment

Meet the Glass

So, what’s in this lineup? Moment’s got eight new lenses to play with:

  • Anamorphic 1.33x (Gold and Blue Flare) – If you’ve ever wanted to create cinematic, widescreen-style videos right from your iPhone, this lens is your ticket. It adds that captivating anamorphic touch to your shots, complete with unique flare options in gold and blue.
  • Anamorphic 1.55x (Gold and Blue Flare) – Taking your videos up another notch, this lens offers an even wider aspect ratio, enhancing the cinematic look of your videos. And yes, it’s also available in both gold and blue flare options.
  • Telephoto 58mm – Think of it as your new go-to for snapping distant subjects in clear detail. Whether it’s a wildlife shot or capturing candid moments from afar, this lens has got you covered.
  • Wide 18mm – Ideal for sweeping landscapes or group photos where you want to fit everyone in. No more squeezing people into the frame or sacrificing scenery for space.
  • Fisheye 14mm – Get ready to embrace the fun side of photography. This lens delivers quirky, distorted images that turn everyday scenes into something whimsical and out of the ordinary.
  • Macro 10x – For the curious explorers among us, this one’s a game-changer. Ever wanted to see the intricate patterns on a butterfly’s wing or the texture of a leaf up close? With the Macro 10x, you’re in for a delightful surprise.

Explore Your Inner Artist

These lenses aren’t just for the pros or even an overworked youtuber. They’re for anyone who wants to explore just about any kind of content creation. Capture scenes you never thought possible or experiment with new angles and techniques—all with your trusty iPhone. But one has to wonder that if rumors are true and Apple announces a new iPhone with a periscope 6x optical telephoto lens, would it even be worth it to carry additional lenses around?  Sure, they’re small, but they may also soon be obsolete.

Image Credit – Moment

Pricing and availability

Until that time comes, the Moment 58mm lens comes in at $199.99, while the 18mm is priced at $129.99. The 14mm and 10x lenses share the same price tag of $119.99 each. Meanwhile, the anamorphic lenses are individually priced at $149.99.  To attach these lenses to your iPhone or Pixel, you’ll require Moment’s dedicated case, available for $49.99. But there’s also a universal lens adapter for $29.99 which works too.

Check em out at ShopMoment.com.

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