(26 Feb 2019) LEADIN
An Israeli company is showing a smartphone case with an integrated forward facing camera at the MWC mobile trade fair in Barcelona.
The Third-i camera case is meant to give people glued to their smartphones a view of the surroundings, but a new camera position might also pose a privacy concern.
STORYLINE
A smartphone usually has two sets of cameras, on the front and on the back of the device.
But this smartphone case adds another camera position, a forward facing camera located at the very top of the smartphone.
The camera is integrated in the case and can be tilted up and down with a quick slide of a button on the app.
The idea is that the camera will be "always on" and give people a window in to the real world around them while they are glued to the smartphone screen.
A bit like looking up, but without looking up.
Third-i founder Itzik Levi says: "We spend 25 percent of the day here in our mobile devices. And while we are here we are practically disconnected from our surroundings. So what we did, is to connect you to your surroundings while you are here. How we do it? We implemented a system that looks ahead of you. Looks forward. A system with a camera at the front of the device or the side edge for gamers. And, this system enables you, while you are here to see what's ahead of you. Now, there are plenty applications that can get usage of that. Practically, every application which is a computer vision based on the camera. Instead of the users of this application to use the arms stretched out position like that, and use the application, they will be able to bring the device here to the natural hand position
The device is a prototype and Third-i is hoping to find partners that can take the device to the mass market.
But of course, a new position that means people can film without holding up the smartphone might cause some people to worry about privacy concerns.
Third-i says the final product will come with a LED lamp and a sound, to make sure people are not worried about being filmed secretly.
Levy says: "Whenever you film, there will be a LED and when it started there will be even a voice. So, people around you knows that right now you are using the camera. OK, there will be a LED. Always on. While you are filming. There will be a beep when you start and a beep when you complete the session. So we are not willing for snooping in any way."
The Third-i devices is shown at a side event to MWC called 4YFN where startups are showing their latest products.
MWC (formerly known as Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona is the world's largest mobile-focused trade fair.
More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the show and some 2,400 exhibitors will attend to show their latest products.
The fair runs through February 28.
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