Smartphone News

As expected, Apple today unveiled the eagerly anticipated iPhone 7, featuring a water-resistant design, dramatically improved battery life, a 25% brighter display, and what Apple calls “the most powerful chip ever in a phone.” But the real excitement for mobile photographers is an entirely new camera system with a powerful array of imaging features.

Ever since its introduction in mid-2015, the DXO One miniaturized camera for iPhone and iPad has enjoyed a small but loyal following for its compact form factor, sharp 32mm-equivalent lens, 1-inch/20.2-megapixel sensor, and impressive image quality. Today DXO announced what they call a “major update” for the device that’s sure to expand its popularity.

The free Snapseed app for iOS and Android phones and tablets has long been a favorite among “serious” mobile photographers who want powerful image-editing tools without a lot of superfluous gimmickry.  And now the app has been updated to include features some of us found missing.

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This morning Microsoft introduced Pix, a free iPhone app designed to automatically enhance your images and improve upon Apple’s built-in camera app through the use of artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and other advanced technologies. The idea is that Pix is so sophisticated that it takes the guesswork out of smartphone photography.

How many times have you been at a museum or concert only to be distracted from the sights and sounds by a bunch of folks snapping away with their smartphones? Or perhaps you are one of the offenders. Well, in news that's sure to get some folks riled up, Apple just received a patent for technology that would disable your iPhone in situations where photography is deemed “inappropriate.”

The DxO One is a pocket-sized camera module for the Apple iPhone or iPad that offers a one-inch sensor with 20MP resolution and a fixed focal length of 32mm (35mm film equivalent). The camera uses the iPhone and an app as both the control center and electronic viewfinder.