If you guys can't tell yet, I really like next-generation concept gadgets. Most don't turn into reality, or even get past some sketch, but it's still fun to imagine.
Those lucky reporters Impress Watch apparently had themselves a hoedown at the "Future Creation Festa," where they visited FujiFilm's concept booth. What came out of the visit were some very interesting technologies — most probably too good to be true, ever.
Things you likely won't see for years to come after the jump.
Up first is a camera operated by sign language. If you're mute, I don't think there's anything that prevents you from taking pictures. That's not what FujiFilm had in mind for this, though — "for example, peace will take a photograph, three fingers will take consecutive pictures, and five fingers will take a movie." One application FujiFilm plans for this technology is with professional atheletes. Come to think of it, it would be kind of cool to see a picture from a batter's hand just before he goes to swing at a pitch.
I nearly cackled when I read "head-mounted display" in this article. But the "Wiping Camera," while it could be confused for some sort of lewd hidden camera website, is actually a semi-interesting application of a head-mounted display. The theme is "liberation from four cornered frames." We've probably all seen those corny "virtual tours" for beach houses; wouldn't it be better to be able to actually look around like you were there? The "Wiping Camera" takes a picture with a scanning motion, and will record surroundings for later use. When you want to view it, put on your head-mount display, and look around. Bammo, it's like you're there, except not really. Combined with some sort of 3D or holographic display technology or mild dissociative, this could be pretty powerful.
Continuing is what the authored considered "the closest to implementation" of all the concepts. The "In Camera Printer Viewer" consists of two bars, and uses a flexible display for taking, looking at, and enjoy pictures. Its intended usage "scene" are parties. It better be waterproof.
Fuji also showed these camera concepts, some of which click together with their docks to form a complete shape, like a cylinder or suppository or cartridge.
Since it's getting quite late, I'll finish up with what I thought was the most interesting aspect of the reporters' visit. Dubbed the "Air Project," FujiFilm plans on creating transparent displays that can not only act as normal displays would, but also operate all functions of the camera [as pictured at the top of our story]. It's a bit difficult to explain, but I've got plenty of time. FujiFilm predicts products like these are still 10 years down the road.
Read - "The Boundaries of People and Machines" [Impress Watch]
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