Until Google’s self-driving cars become a reality, this is seriously one of the coolest meldings of technology we’ve seen in a bit. Originally announced at CES earlier this year, Apple has finally approved the app and hardware to use your iPhone and iPod Touch as a live viewfinder for Contour’s HD GPS action sports camera.
There are two parts to technological bliss: First, download the free Viewfinder App for your iDevice. Second, get the $30 ConnectView card (already on Amazon.com w/ free shipping!) and insert it into the camera. An Android version is in the works and should be available soon and…wait for it… claims to be able to all of this without needing the card.
Not only does it let you get the position of the camera dialed, the app also gives you control of the camera’s settings. Now switching between video/still image modes, recording quality, etc., doesn’t require you tethering it to your ‘pooter and booting up some software.
We should get some hands-on time with one of these babies soon, look for a full report on its awesomeness in a few weeks.
UPDATED: App screenshots and full press release after the break…
PRESS RELEASE:
Contour, market leader in hands-free video cameras, today announced the availability of its ConnectView card and Viewfinder App for iPhone and iPod touch. The ContourGPS camera is a hands-free video camera designed to capture location and HD video.
The ConnectView card is inserted into the ContourGPS camera and connects it with iPhone or iPod touch over Bluetooth. Once the connection is established, the Viewfinder App enables iPhone or iPod touch to act as a live viewfinder.
The ConnectView card is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation).
“This changes the game in hands-free video,” states Contour CEO Marc Barros. “With this solution, we’ve overcome the limitation of a video camera lacking a wireless screen. Now when your camera is mounted you can actually look at a screen to line up your shot and change your settings in real time. Hands-free video just got a lot more hands-free.”
To use the new feature, ContourGPS video camera users must:
• Update the firmware on their ContourGPS camera.
• Purchase the Contour ConnectView card ($29.99 MSRP).
• Download the free Viewfinder App from the App Store.
The Contour Viewfinder App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com.
For complete instructions and additional information, visit http://contour.com/mobile.
The ContourGPS camera brings together three of the hottest trends: mobile, location and video. It goes beyond being just a camera—it’s an all-in-one platform that offers innovative software in conjunction with a vibrant online community. Customers can record, post, and share their video adventures while tracking their path, speed, and elevation on a map—all at the same time. A rugged video camera made specifically for the estimated 100 million outdoor enthusiasts around the world, ContourGPS makes it easy to capture video from within the action and share it online in seconds.
