Cameras Make It Much Easier to Prove NYPD Misconduct

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Unsurprising, but still worth noting: The ubiquity of surveillance and cell-phone cameras is making it much easier to prove when the police have done something wrong.

In a newly released report, the Civilian Complaint Review Board — the agency tasked with investigating allegations of NYPD misconduct — announced that it substantiated a record-breaking 30 percent of its cases in September. The CCRB has now gone six straight months with substantiation rates over 20 percent, compared with an overall rate of 17 percent in 2014 and 11 percent in 2010. CCRB executive director Mina Malik attributed the trend to "the availability of video evidence." Per DNAinfo: "The board substantiated more than 50 percent of cases where there was video evidence, compared with 22 percent of cases without such evidence." (Also worth noting: The organization has seen a 19 percent decrease in complaints about cop behavior since 2014.)

It's not clear if this means that officers who commit misconduct are more likely to be punished. In the past, the NYPD has rarely followed the CCRB's discipline recommendations. On the other hand, NYPD commissioner Bill Bratton has vowed to get tougher on cops who break the rules.

Source: Cameras Make It Much Easier to Prove NYPD Misconduct

Sony's Xperia Z5 beats iPhone 6S in camera shootout

October 14, 2015 - 19:47 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Apple's gone out of its way to highlight the improved 12-megapixel camera on the iPhone 6S - but research suggests the handset is being out-shot by its Android rivals, Digital Spy reports.

Image specialists at DXO Mark put the snapper through a battery of tests, measuring its exposure, contrast, autofocus, texture, noise, artifacts and flash, before assigning it an overall score of 82 out of 100.

While that's far from terrible, many of Apple's Android rivals performed better.

The Moto X Style, Samsung Note 4, and LG G4 scored one point higher, while the Nexus 6P scored an 84 and the Galaxy S6 Edge was handed an 86.

The 23-megapixel-packing Sony Xperia Z5 - which boasts hybrid autofocus technology - emerged as the camera king with an overall score of 87.

Although there's little between the scores, the results suggest that your iPhone 6S could be inferior at photo capture than the cheaper Android phone next door.

Source: Sony's Xperia Z5 beats iPhone 6S in camera shootout

The Pepsi phone is real

What do guitar amp maker Marshall and construction equipment company Caterpillar have in common? They've both for some reason or another released branded smartphones. Now, you can add beverage conglomerate Pepsi to that not-so-exclusive list: a spec sheet leaked on Chinese social network Weibo shows the P1, a mid-range Pepsi-branded Android phone bound for overseas markets.

Like Marshall and Caterpillar before it, Pepsi seems to be betting on brand recognition rather than beefy hardware. The P1 features a 5.5-inch, 1,080p display, an unspecified 1.7GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of onboard storage, and a 3,000 mAh battery. It's got a 13-megapixel rear-facing shooter and 5-megapixel front camera, and leaked images seem to show capacitive buttons beneath the screen (back, home, and multitasking) and a fingerprint sensor around back.

Just what makes the P1 uniquely "Pepsi" isn't obvious, except for the color scheme. The leaked renderings show a home screen background featuring Pepsi's signature red, white, and blue logo, and the phone's reverse sports an embossed logo beneath the camera. But that appears to be the extent of customization.

Related: Is the world ready for a Pepsi Phone?

Branded handsets are obviously trendy, but Pepsi and smartphones seem like a particularly unintuitive pairing. Marshall's effort at least sports features most people would identify with the company's history and expertise -- the Marshall London sports twin headphone jacks and a dedicated audio chip. Caterpillar's phone, appropriately enough for a construction equipment company, features a ruggedized design. The Pepsi P1 by comparison seems pretty homogenous.

One thing the P1 will have going for is price, apparently. The leaks show a 1,299 yuan price point -- about $205.

Pepsi confirmed the P1 to Reuters Tuesday, but declined to share specifics. If there's more to the P1 than meets the eye, we'll find out as soon as October 20 -- the rumored announcement date. Here's hoping for a Crystal Pepsi dispenser, a body crafted from Pepsi-can aluminum, incredibly good waterproofing, or any combination of the three, really.

Source: The Pepsi phone is real

New Details about the Upcoming BlackBerry Priv Smart Phone

Specifications wise, the new BlackBerry Priv will most likely have a 5.4" quad HD resolution, a hexa-core 1.8 GHz Snapdragon 808 chip, an 18 MP camera, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory storage. For users who want extended storage for their large files, thy do not have to worry, since the product comes prepared with an extra microSD port. The front-facing selfie camera, meanwhile, sports a 5 MP sensor.

There was not much said about the screen, but the few details seem fairly appealing for most users. The sources compare Priv's display to that od LG G4's, which is one of the best in the mobile world, with bright colors and excellent contrast. They also discuss of a function that shows the phone's battery power on the rounded part of the screen, but it seems that this ability has not been used yet. It is probably an option that may be offered with the customer model.

According to experts, the device does not actually provide a top premium experience all around, but the phone balances this slight disadvantage with convenience and performance. The rear part is made of plastic materials that offer a better grip while using it and it is something that will make you forget the inexpensive feeling in your hands. However, even much pricier smart phones use plastic for some of their elements to provide an extra benefit in ergonomics.

The famous BlackBerry keyboard it is what made many users to wish for new BlackBerry Android phones. Since it will be arriving soon in stores, they now have expectations for this device. The pre-reviews say that the keyboard is quite hefty and its sliding parts seem to work efficiently. They have one complaint: even if it is very simple to identify all keys by touching them, random clicks are frequent due to their sensitivity.

Sources in tech media say that the smart phone will operate with Android OS 5.1 and has amazing clarity in bright light. On the less glorious part of specs, the experts suggest that the case on the rear fells like rubber and is rather far from top quality smart phones Make sure to look for online resources for additional first-hand opinions on the Priv, such as some exemplification images taken with this product.

Now, here are some price details to disclose. Over the end of last month, confidential sources released a review showing that BlackBerry's future Android-based phone will be offered via Chinese suppliers for around $625. While it is not very clear how the item will be sold in the United States, observe that a medium price level on all recent BlackBerries have been of approximately $250. It is almost sure that the company is not only placing its Priv as a top smart phone, but its price will be set accordingly.

There are no clear details regarding Priv's release in stores and all we have until now are just rumors. The newest rumbling from the gossip mill is saying that a complete item presentation is scheduled for Nov, before an expected selling interval during the spring of 2016.

Image source: Androidauthority

Source: New Details about the Upcoming BlackBerry Priv Smart Phone

Gionee Launched Elife E8 in India, Comes With 6-inch Display & 24MP Camera

By Charmaine Montes , Christian Post Contributor

October 11, 2015|10:18 am

Facebook/Gionee India

Gionee E8

Last Thursday, Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Gionee launched its latest flagship phone in the E-series dubbed as the Elife E8. According to Tech2, the smartphone was released during an event in New Delhi, India and is priced at Rs 34,999 ($539). The gadget will be made available exclusively via Snapdeal beginning Oct 12.

To those wondering if the new Gionee model will be worth the purchase, sources revealed its specs and essential details that people can check out. As reported, the Elife E8 is deemed as the successor of the Elife E7, which arrived last 2013. The gadget sports a 6-inch Super AMOLED screen with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and 1440 x 2560p resolution. It somehow resembles the E7 as the phone comes with a metallic edge and is accompanied by a plastic rear cover with a small curvature.

The Economic Times detailed that the devices in the E-series have always put emphasis on users getting an excellent camera experience. Thus, the E8 carries a new 24MP rear camera with optical image stabilization, dual-tone LED flash and phase detection autofocus for speeds reaching up to 0.08 seconds. It also has a software that can create and produce images up to 120MP in resolution and flaunts a six-element lens with sapphire glass, as noted in NDTV Gadget.

Moreover, a fingerprint scanner can be found on the back panel while the front panel features an 8MP selfie snapper. In order to easily capture photos, Gionee thoughtfully placed a hardware shutter button on the side. The video camera is capable of shooting 4K video.

The Elife E8 runs with Android 5.1 Lollipop and features the company's Amigo 3.1 software. Under the hood is a 2GHz octa-core Mediatek MT6795 chipset (Helio X10) with 3GB RAM. Its internal storage has a capacity of 64GB and it has a microSD card slot that will permit expanded storage of up to 128GB.

Generally, the Elife E8 of Gionee is an upgraded version of the E7 that is totally worth checking out.

Source: Gionee Launched Elife E8 in India, Comes With 6-inch Display & 24MP Camera

10 accessories that will make your iPhone’s camera even better

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

While the likes of Samsung and Motorola have ensured Apple isn't alone at the smartphone shooter summit, the newly launched iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have once again put an excellent little camera in millions of pockets.

That camera will do just fine for most people's needs, but if you consider yourself something of an amateur photographer, you can get improved detail, lighting, and overall convenience with a handful of add-ons and accessories. If nothing else, they'll give you some eye-catching photos for your Instagram page.

Below we've rounded up a few of our favorites. All of them fit with Apple's latest, but more than a few work fine for Android alternatives (among others) as well, so there should be something for every shutterbug on the go. 

Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens ($79.99)

Amazon

The simplest way to expand your phone's photo quality and feature set is to clip on an attachable lens. Olloclip is the biggest name in this crowded space, and its 4-in-1 Lens is both versatile and dependable. It covers both the front and rear camera, and lets you take fisheye, wide-angle, and more detailed macro shots.

The company's confirmed that the lens works with the latest iPhones as well — though don't expect it to play nice with a case or screen protector.

The olloclip is a great value for most amateurs, but if you're willing to pay up for higher quality, give one of Moment's excellent lenses a shot. Conversely, if you're just looking to mess around with something resembling this idea, Mpow's 3-in-1 lens is a far more affordable option.

olloclip 4-in-1 for iPhone 6/6 Plus and 6s/6s Plus, $79.99, available at Amazon..

HISY Bluetooth Remote ($19.99)

Amazon

Here's a simple tool for ensuring you aren't left out of group photos. As the name suggests, the HISY Bluetooth Remote connects to your iPhone (or Android) over Bluetooth and serves as remote shutter button, making it so you don't have to hold your phone to shoot with it. It comes with a small foldable stand, and HISY claims it has a Bluetooth range of about 90 feet.

HISY Bluetooth Remote for iPhone (White), $19.99, available at Amazon.

Snap 6 iPhone Case ($49.99)

BiteMyApple

Continuing along those lines, bitplay's Snap 6 also adds a shutter button, but in the form a full-on case.

Options for both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are available, and bitplay has confirmed to us that they'll work with the latest iPhones as well.

It's worth noting that the company is launching a follow up, the Snap Pro, which is said to have a tougher frame and sturdier button. We'll test that in the coming weeks, but for now, the Snap 6 still provides a more natural way of snapping pics.

Snap 6 iPhone Case, $49.99, available at BiteMyApple.

Joby GripTight GorillaPod ($16.99)

Amazon

No matter how much confidence you have in your hands, a good tripod will always take steadier shots. Joby's GripTight GorillaPod helps rid your photos of any accidental blurring, and is also flexible enough to wrap around uneven surfaces.

This model works with any smartphone between 2.1 and 2.8 inches wide, but if you have a larger phablet like the iPhone 6 Plus or Galaxy Note 5, a larger "XL" version is available as well.

Joby GripTight GorillaPod Stand for Smaller Smartphones, $16.99, available at Amazon.

Shoulderpod S1 ($34.90)

Amazon

For a more portable solution to ditching shaky pics, try the Shoulderpod S1. It's a sturdy, compact clamp that'll hold almost any size phone in place as you shoot, whether you're taking still photos or moving video. It comes with a wrist strap, and also doubles as a small stand, which is convenient for perusing through your phone when your hands are full.

Shoulderpod S1 Smartphone Rig, $34.90, available at Amazon. 

Nova Wireless Flash ($59.99)

Amazon

The iPhone's flash has improved with each passing model, but to get smoother, more natural light, you're usually better off adding your own. While a simple add-on like the iBlazr does the job for the occasional nighttime selfie, something like the Nova is ideal for more involved shots.

This is wireless, so it has to be held separately from the phone, but that lets you position your lighting more appropriately for whatever kind of shot you're going for. It requires you use Nova's companion app, which can be a pain, but either way it'll liven up your shots with softer tones and improved color.

Nova Off-camera Wireless Flash for iPhone, $59.99, available at Amazon.

Anker Selfie Stick ($12.99)

Amazon

Selfie sticks sit somewhere between "clever accessory" and "the end of all culture," but if you really want your self-portraits to look less sloppy, they have their uses.

Anker's adjustable pole is made of a sturdy rubber and steel, works with smartphones big and small, and has a stated battery life of 18 hours.

We've found Anker to be reliable in the past — and this model currently has a 4.9 user rating on Amazon — but if you wind up disappointed, the stick comes with an 18-month warranty as well.

Anker Bluetooth Selfie Stick, $12.99, available at Amazon.

Luxi for All ($29.99)

Amazon

If you aren't sure of how best to use your phone camera, the Luxi for All can help. It's a diffusion dome that straps over your (iOS or Android) phone's front-facing camera. From there, it uses Luxi's smartphone app to measure your surrounding light and determine which settings will get your DSLR the most well-exposed shot.

Luxi for All Smartphone Light Meter Attachment, $29.95, available at Amazon. 

Leef iBridge ($59.99)

Amazon

This should look familiar. The Leef iBridge isn't strictly a camera accessory, but loading your iPhone up with photos is going to deplete its storage space fast.

You can always use Dropbox or iCloud to free up some room, but if you'd rather have something that doesn't require an internet connection, the iBridge can hold your shots on its own. Since it comes with a built-in USB port, it also makes it easy to port them onto a PC.

You'll have to use Leef's camera app if you want to capture photos directly onto the drive, but that's clean enough. This model comes with 16GB of space; if you think you'll need more, a 32GB model is available for $20 extra. Here's a similar device for Android.

Leef iBridge iOS USB Flash Drive (16GB), $59.99, available at Amazon. 

Camalapse 4 ($29.99)

Amazon

The Camalapse 4 has one trick, but it does it fairly well. When paired with an appropriate app, it allows your smartphone (or most other cameras) to take panoramic time-lapse shots — or, rotating videos that display a particular scene for a period of time — over the course of an hour.

That's not the longest time in the world, and the whole thing only rotates in one direction. Still, it should be enough for amateur B-roll, or videos that'll impress your Facebook feed. Just be sure to grab a stand or mount to go with it.

Camalapse 4, $29.99, available at Amazon. 

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Business Insider's Insider Picks team. We aim to highlight products and services you might find interesting, and if you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners, including Amazon. Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, is an investor in Business Insider through his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Have something you think we should know about? Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Insider Picks. Copyright 2015. Follow Insider Picks on Twitter.

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Source: 10 accessories that will make your iPhone's camera even better

Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Sony Xperia Z5 camera performance compared

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and Sony Xperia Z5 are two of the top Android devices of the moment and both have some excellent photography capabilities. If you're a keen user of your smartphone camera you might want to consider how they stand up against each other in this respect. We're looking at Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Sony Xperia Z5 camera performance compared so that you can see the results of testing.

The Sony Xperia Z5 is a recent arrival whereas the Samsung Galaxy S6 hit the shelves earlier in the year. They have top specs and are both devices that will be upgraded to Android 6.0 Marshmallow at some point. We'll recap the key camera specifications of each before we get to the comparison.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 has a 16-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, LED flash, optical image stabilization, and 4K video capture. It also has a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter. On the other side of the coin the Xperia Z5 has a 23-megapixel rear camera with phase detection autofocus, LED flash, and 4K video recording capability, as well as a 5.1-megapixel front-facing snapper.

If you scroll down the page you'll come to a video comparison of Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Sony Xperia Z5 camera testing that will give you a clearer idea of which is the best performer. It involves both front and rear-facing cameras with video footage displayed as well as images including close-ups. The testing also shows results from various conditions, indoors, outdoors, and in low-light.

The video introduction is shown with footage from the front-facing cameras of both phones shown side-by-side. You'll see an audio symbol at the top that switches alternately between the phones so that you can also compare audio quality. The comparison then moves on to outdoor footage with the rear cameras, also shown in split screen so that you can compare the results easily. The video testing also shows indoor footage.

After this the video covers images, first with the front-facing cameras and then the rear cameras. Sometimes when we see these types of camera comparisons the differences in the results is marginal, but in this testing the results are notably different. Both perform well and individual opinions on camera performance is subjective, but at the end the reviewer sums up which he thinks was better for the various different aspects.

We'd like to know if you agree with his verdict on the camera capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Sony Xperia Z5? Which of these smartphones do you think offers the best overall camera results?

Source: SuperSaf TV (YouTube)

Read more about: Mobile Phones   Phone Comparison   Samsung   Sony   Video  

Source: Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Sony Xperia Z5 camera performance compared