A gadget that doesn't exist?

[Guest barry_slobb]

Hello everyone,

I'd be grateful if you'd let me pick your brains......

Some weeks ago on Channel 5's 'The Gadget Show', one of the presenters (Jason) did a section on a 'Lifecam' that he had created. Essentially he used a Nokia phones built in camera, plus two bits of software. One configured the camera to take a shot every 30 seconds, the second bit of s/w sent each image via GPRS to his web space on Flikr. Thus recording his 'life' in real-time and publishing to the web in real-time to. He had to have the phone strapped to his chest with the camera facing out to achieve this, so not particularly practical.

I liked the concept (partially anyway) and wondered if a device existed that would be better suited to this. Bearing in mind I don't think the device needs to be a 'phone' at all, rather just a camera with onboard storage and bluetooth - mind you a goodish camera, 4 megapixel or above maybe?

In my mind the device would be:

- About the size of a medium (swan vesta?) box of matches

- 4 megapixel or above

- Capable of taking photos in low lighting

- Built in SD/Mini/micro SD card

- Possibly built in Bluetooth for connecting to phone for transfer to internet via GPRS/3G/Wifi

- Mini USB connection

- The device would be configurable by connecting via USB to a PC or from a phone/pda via Bluetooth

- You could configure, photo mode including intervals from say 5 seconds up to 60 minutes

- Some control of exposure and shutter speed settings

- Whether the images are saved locally or saved and then sent to the Internet

- Can be clipped or velcroed to clothing

I don't particularly envisage any controls on the device itself except maybe an on/off switch.

Whenever I have tried to search for something like this on the web, all I seem to get are micro security cameras that send images (very low quality) via RF to a receiver.

The point being, it's a medium spec digital camera with some configuration controls and maybe a means of transferring via another device to the internet.

Does no manufacturer make the device I am looking for?

ADDITIONAL :::::: The nearest thing I've seen is the Nokia N range of phones, some of which come with a 3.2 megapixel camera, carl zeiss lens, BUT they are phones and the phone bit isn't needed if you already have a perfectly servicable MDA Vario! :::::

Edited December 21, 2006 by barry_slobb

[Guest chucky.egg]

Does no manufacturer make the device I am looking for?

I doubt it, it's very specialised.

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Not that I know of... the most likely solution would be a phone with some custom software?

P

[Guest blueflash]

Not that I know of... the most likely solution would be a phone with some custom software?

P

Whats wrong with smartphone and CoolCamera and its webcam plug in. stuff in a coat or jacket with suitable hole and broadcast your life away.

Why a random person would want to view your life via a cam is beyond me, maybe if your sent out shopping by misses and she needs to guide you around supermarket and select what you buy.. NO not that apple the one above to the left.. left more.. yes.. fire.. yes you got the prefect apple