Photography

GDome Mobile lets smartphones take "split shots"

GDome Mobile lets smartphones take "split shots"
A split shot photo, taken with the GDome Mobile
A split shot photo, taken with the GDome Mobile
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A split shot photo, taken with the GDome Mobile
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A split shot photo, taken with the GDome Mobile
Photos and videos can be streamed from the GDome Mobile user's phone via a dedicated app
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Photos and videos can be streamed from the GDome Mobile user's phone via a dedicated app
The phone's screen remains visible and touch-sensitive via a clear membrane on the back of the GDome Mobile
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The phone's screen remains visible and touch-sensitive via a clear membrane on the back of the GDome Mobile
The GDome Mobile features a glass-filled nylon body, a hardened steel support frame, and an optically-correct scratch-resistant acrylic dome lens
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The GDome Mobile features a glass-filled nylon body, a hardened steel support frame, and an optically-correct scratch-resistant acrylic dome lens
Once everything is sealed up, the GDome Mobile can reportedly be submerged to a maximum depth of 5 meters (16 ft)
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Once everything is sealed up, the GDome Mobile can reportedly be submerged to a maximum depth of 5 meters (16 ft)
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You know those cool photos that are half-above the surface of the water, and half-below it? They're called split shots, and a new underwater housing is designed to let you take them using a wide variety of smartphones.

Known as the GDome Mobile, the South African-made device features a glass-filled nylon body, a hardened steel support frame, and an optically-correct scratch-resistant acrylic dome lens. It reportedly accommodates any make or model of smartphone no larger than 6.5 inches, which is cradled within a closed-cell foam insert that the user cuts to size. The phone's screen remains visible and touch-sensitive via a clear membrane on the back of the housing.

Because there's so much room inside the dome, third-party filters or lenses can still be used on the phone's camera. And while the GDome Mobile isn't designed for use with actioncams, its creators state that they've had good results with recent-model GoPros and the new DJI Osmo Action.

The GDome Mobile features a glass-filled nylon body, a hardened steel support frame, and an optically-correct scratch-resistant acrylic dome lens
The GDome Mobile features a glass-filled nylon body, a hardened steel support frame, and an optically-correct scratch-resistant acrylic dome lens

Actioncams, lights or other accessories can also be attached to mounting points on the outside of the housing.

Once everything is sealed up, the device is reportedly watertight to a maximum depth of 5 meters (16 ft) – potential buyers seeking a scuba-specific housing should look elsewhere. Additionally, there's no word on its buoyancy, although it weighs a claimed 800 grams (1.8 lb) on land.

If you're interested, the GDome Mobile is currently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign. A pledge of US$79 will get you one – when and if it reaches production – with the planned retail price sitting at $129. The device is demonstrated in the video below.

Hopefully it will fare better than the similar but iPhone-specific amphipac, the Kickstarter of which was cancelled.

Source: Indiegogo

Introducing the GDOME MOBILE - The worlds first universal dome system for smartphones​!

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1 comment
1 comment
ljaques
Best of luck to you, GDome! I've always appreciated the massive input of information from the split shots like that. Artistic and informative.