We’ve seen Android in a camera before – twice, in fact – but Samsung’s Galaxy Camera allows you to tweet, Facebook, Instagram, and send emails of your photos from where ever you are, provided there’s a 3G SIM inside the camera.
“The collaboration between the mobile and digital imaging divisions has resulted in the Galaxy Camera, a product that Samsung is extremely proud of,” said Mr. Gillespie.
“A connected camera must give users the total freedom to take vivid high quality pictures and videos wherever and whenever they wish, sharing them almost instantly through their favourite social networking sites or with family and friends.”
Playing with the camera briefly, you get the feeling that the Galaxy Camera is literally a compact camera merged with a Samsung Galaxy S3, with very similar innards – 1.4GHz quad-core processor, Android 4.1, 8GB storage, microSD memory slot, 3G microSIM, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and a 4.8 inch LCD – sitting inside the frame of a 16 megapixel compact camera.
Wireless networking isn’t a new thing in a camera, but 3G is, affording eager photographers the opportunity to share their pictures and video with the world before they get back to a place with wireless.
In the hands, there’s a good feel to the device, and because Android is fast becoming an interface we’re all familiar with, it’s easy to pick up and get shooting. As with normal Android, there are widgets, an application menu, and access to the Android Play Store. In fact, it’s about as clear an Android experience as you get normally on Samsung’s other devices.
All it needs is a phone.
But while 3G is included, it’s interesting to note that you can’t make phone calls. You can send messages, emails, and do all the things an Android smartphone would normally do, but not talk to your friends over the phone.
Given the fact that there’s Bluetooth inside, it’s probably only a matter of time before someone hacks it back in, but until then, you’ll have to live without it.
Regardless, the Galaxy Camera will hit stores in Australia in late-November – we’d say somewhere between November 27 and December 1 – for $599 RRP.
