Photography

New Belkin devices add camera-like functionality to iPhones

New Belkin devices add camera-like functionality to iPhones
Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
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Belkin's LiveAction Camera Remote allows iPhone users to remotely trigger their camera phone
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Belkin's LiveAction Camera Remote allows iPhone users to remotely trigger their camera phone
Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
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Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
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Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
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Although it’s been suggested that point-and-shoot digital cameras could be made obsolete by smartphones, there’s at least one thing that’s still better about stand-alone cameras – they have an ergonomic grip (or at least, some of them do), and a good ol’ fuss-free shutter release button. Belkin’s LiveAction Camera Grip device, however, is designed to add these features to the iPhone. The company has also released the LiveAction Camera Remote, which brings the same push-button functionality to a remote-control device.

The Camera Grip slides onto the end of the iPhone, connecting to the phone’s charging slot – it can even be installed over top of an existing outer case. Users are then able to get a more camera-like hold on their phone while snapping pictures, plus they can take those shots by pressing a button, located right where the shutter release would be on a camera. Not only should this appeal to retro grouches, but it reportedly also results in less blurring in low-light shots, as the phone itself doesn’t have to be tapped (and thus jarred) right as the shutter is being released.

Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button
Belkin's LiveAction Camera Grip provides iPhones with an ergonomic handle, and a shutter release button

The device also has a video record button, located beside the shutter release. Additionally, it can be mounted on a tripod via a threaded hole in the bottom.

For people who want to get into their own shots, or who want to take long exposures where touching anything attached to the phone would cause blurring, Belkin has also recently released the LiveAction Camera Remote – it’s kind of like the Camera Grip, but divided into two parts.

Belkin's LiveAction Camera Remote allows iPhone users to remotely trigger their camera phone
Belkin's LiveAction Camera Remote allows iPhone users to remotely trigger their camera phone

The receiver attaches to the user’s iPhone, and includes an adjustable rear-pointing arm for propping the unmanned phone at just the right angle. The handheld remote has the same photo and video buttons as the Camera Grip, and communicates with the receiver via Bluetooth from a distance of up to 30 feet (9 meters).

The LiveAction Camera Grip and LiveAction Camera Remote both work with Belkin’s free LiveAction app, and are available through the company website for US$49.99 each (although Photojojo is selling them for $10 less – the Grip should be available there by next month).

Source: Belkin via Photojojo

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3 comments
3 comments
Ed
Really? fifty bucks for a piece of plastic? You iPhone people will buy anything, won't you?
Thaumato
"as the phone itself doesn’t have to be tapped (and thus jarred) right as the shutter is being released." - Um, hello? You can take a picture by pressing the Volume up, or +, button, no piece of plastic needed. $50 for a little added bulk?!? At least the "Camera Grip" adds some functionality.
kelvint63
I use this little trick to avoid camera jarring; I set the self-timer for 2 seconds and hold the phone as steady as I can. Now if I can find some kind of tri-pod mount I can take some really nice night shots.