Photography

Peripheral smartphone camera goes where the sun don't shine

Peripheral smartphone camera goes where the sun don't shine
The Eye Eye works with Android smartphones
The Eye Eye works with Android smartphones
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The Eye Eye works with Android smartphones
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The Eye Eye works with Android smartphones
The Eye Eye can be worn on clothing
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The Eye Eye can be worn on clothing
The Eye Eye is waterproof
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The Eye Eye is waterproof
The Eye Eye has a built-in 51-lumen LED for shooting in dark spaces
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The Eye Eye has a built-in 51-lumen LED for shooting in dark spaces
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Your smartphone's camera may be able to do a lot of things, but it can't detach from the phone to see into hard-to-reach places. That's why Edinburgh-based startup Barwritek created the Eye Eye. It's an HD video camera that's hard-wired to your Android smartphone via a coiled cord, and mounted on a telescoping pole so it can be held up high, underneath things, or wherever else you wish to stick it.

The camera itself shoots 720p/30fps video, has a built-in 51-lumen LED for shooting in dark spaces, and can receive third-party lenses. It's additionally waterproof, so it can be used for things like inspecting the hulls of boats, observing marine life, or just getting cool underwater shots.

Video and 1.3-megapixel stills are displayed and recorded on the phone, which also provides the power.

The Eye Eye has a built-in 51-lumen LED for shooting in dark spaces
The Eye Eye has a built-in 51-lumen LED for shooting in dark spaces

The pole can be extended to a maximum length of one meter (3.3 ft), and has an adjustable-angle head. If users want, they can take the camera off that pole and wear it on a shirt or jacket pocket, via an integrated clip.

The Eye Eye does only work with UVC-enabled phones, however. This unfortunately puts all iPhones out of the running.

It's currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, where a pledge of £45 (about US$64) will get you one, when and if they reach production. Suggested uses for the Eye Eye are demonstrated in the following video.

Sources: Eye Eye, Kickstarter

Eye eye there

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2 comments
2 comments
Milton
perhaps in the future, the camera video-out cable can run inside the telescoping selfie-stick...
Bob Flint
Need to do some homework, these types of small cameras have already been available for years. I have two types one with a gooseneck fully encased 100% waterproof shaft 3 feet, with standard USB connector, and adjustable light output. The other is a 16 foot flexible long cable with 5mm diameter lighted end, also mini USB, both for less than $40 CDN. Approx. $30 US works with phones, tablets, laptops, using "Camerafi"App