The Lytro camera has gained wireless capabilities and a new friend in the iPhone, thanks to a functionality-adding firmware update. Its new-found Wi-Fi capability means the light field camera can work with an equally new iPhone app, which allows users to share and view refocusing pictures while on the go.
Previously, users had to import their living pictures (as Lytro likes to call them), via a desktop application, before uploading them for sharing. But, following on from an update that added manual controls, the camera has now received another that turns on its wireless capabilities.
This means Lytro-wielding photographers who update to firmware v1.2 build 201 can use their camera's Wi-Fi capability to send images to an iPhone running the free Lytro Mobile app. The app allows users to share images in their full refocusing glory, from wherever they are. A single tap on an image in the app changes the focus point, while a tap and drag shifts perspective.
In addition to all the sharing options you'd expect, the app gives the option to save a living picture as an animated GIF to your iOS camera roll. This means that rather than sending people to the uploaded image on lytro.com, you can send it directly to them, though they obviously won't be able to refocus it themselves.
The new app also includes photographer profiles and a selection of recent and popular uploads. Another section of the app contains tips and educational content for getting the most out of a Lytro camera.
The firmware update is available now from the Lytro support pages and the iPhone app is available in the app store. It requires an iPhone 4 or newer, running iOS 6.1 or later.
Source: Lytro
Last I checked they were working on support in Windows 7/8 for the native format.
Would have assumed this would be a higher priority then the ability to export GIFs to the iPhone given the Windows market.
Strange business decision.
Why can't this thing shoot video?
A Lytro shot (frame) contains considerably more data than does a flat image. The answer to the question is bandwidth and storage.
I'm awaiting an update that allows after-shot control of not only point of focus but also depth of field.