Will.i.am Will Launch iPhone Camera Accessory With Slide-Out Keyboard
The musician Will.i.am launches a “i.am+” iPhone accessory that will “turbo charge iPhones to become a camera with interchangeable lenses” and will also add a keyboard to your iPhone. The £299 V.4 “vintage” models for the iPhone 4 and 4S come with interchangeable lenses and a built-in flash, with photo editing, slide out keyboard, filters and sharing built in. The cheaper £199 “C.4 contemporary” will not include the slide out keyboard and both models will be released on December 6th. The “C.5/V.5 models” for the iPhone 5 will be launched next year. These “i.am+” accessoires will turn the iPhone camera into a 14MP device.
A companion iTunes app turns the hardware in to what the celebrity calls “a social photo experience”. It will also offer easy access for users to store In their individual i.am account.
As with other apps and accessories, on on-screen controls allow users to change shooting modes, apply real-time filters, control the in-built flash and edit pictures or add caption.
- The foto.sosho C.4 is the basic model at £199, which includes a flash module, three interchangeable lenses (macro, fish-eye and clear glass) and a grip to make it easier to wield your iPhone 4 or 4S like a point-and-shoot. Aside from these functions, the device is largely about aesthetics — and the white and gold C.4 we played with certainly makes a statement, if that’s what you’re into.
- The foto.sosho V.4 is for those who prefer vintage styling. It costs £299 ($415) and adds a slide-out backlit QWERTY keyboard that pairs with your phone over Bluetooth. Like the C.4, it’s only compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S. Also like the C.4, it’ll go on sale December 6th exclusively at Selfridges in London.
- The foto.sosho V.5 and “luxury” L.5 (also with QWERTY) persist with the excessive punctuation, but otherwise take a very different approach to “social-digital photography,” as explained below. They won’t be available until early next year, with pricing yet to be announced, and they’ll only play nice with the iPhone 5.
\\ tags: Accessory, apple, camera, iPhone, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, keyboard, will.i.am