Apparently as a followup to my well-timed and very handy video I put out this week (check it), my favorite camera manufacturer today announced the launch of a new app. It’s getting really slick my friendz. While you could control the Hero3 cameras with earlier version of the app (view – start -stop – etc) the newest version of the app allows you the same ability to control the camera, but you can now remotely view the images and videos on the camera and–here’s the kicker — edit + share them from the app for iphone, android, and windows phones.
From today’s TechCrunch article: “The app is simple enough. It connects to GoPro cams through a WiFi signal, giving owners a large set of available tools. The cameras can be viewed and controlled from a smartphone or tablet, for one –this includes adjusting the dozens of available settings on each little guy. Owners can also view, manage and download content from the camera to their phone. From there, it can be shared like any other media. Upload the action to Geocities or FriendFeed like you would any other picture.”
This update illustrates why I opened this post with “my favorite camera manufacturer”. It’s not because they are overwhelmingly the best. Sure I love them. Not sure I could make my living with just a GoPro, but truth be told it’s really what they stand for and where they’re going that make me love them the most. Like I told the New York Times a while back — it’s 5 years past due when Nikon and Canon should have had this sort of reliable technology built in small packages to allow creative photographers to shoot, edit, and share their work in new and novel ways.
Dear Canon and Nikon,
I know I’ve been telling you this stuff for 5+ years. I’m sure other pros and consultants and bean-counters have too. So why is this so hard?
ASIDE: given that you are reading this post, you’ll probably want to know how I pack my GoPro’s to travel everywhere I go. Here’s a quick post and a short vid.
AND here’s their cutsy little promo vid illustrating the emotional bits…
Great article! Very excited about the new GoPro app. Have found myself using my Go Pro for more and more non-extreme situations and the new app will surely continue the trend. Couldn’t agree more on Canon and Nikon. They need to spend less time on “8% less chromatic aberration” or the megapixel wars and more time making their products useable and relevant in today’s world.
Canon and Nikon should look to Kodak to see what happens when a big imaging company sticks it’s head in the sand and pretends it’s beloved business model is going to last forever.
GoPro still needs to sort out issues.
@faisal – no question there. you are correct. part of the room for gopro to grow is in reliability – especially given their desire to be the default camera for pro’s these days looking to get tough POV shots. the platform can be a bit moody but we’ll expect that to continue to improve as they tweak and update the product.
also – the parts are a pain. too many parts, too small. reducing all that micro shit to some more well crafted body / batter / card pieces will improve the experience.
but i’ll take the small, high caliber package that their making now over anything else on teh market for sure.
I just upgraded. The girl in the video was able to take stills from the video, was just that just clever video editing for the advert or can you actually do that because I can’t figure out how it’s done in app
Canon just announced the Canon LEGRIA mini – at least for Europe in Mid September. WiFi Live Streaming, Sharing etc. pp.
http://www.t3.com/news/canon-reveals-new-legria-mini-video-camera
Unusual form factor. It has also a waterpoofed housing.
nice. moving in the right direction
Nice move.
I just updated my GoPro Hero 2 w/ WiFi Backpack for testing. At least with this combo transferring video needs some patience. 7-8 minutes for a 142 MB video (highres, 1m18s length). Is this faster on a Hero 3?