Newsletter
Young US-based tech company Essential Products recently announced on Twitter the release of a new software update for the Essential 360 Camera, pushing the build number to ‘NNJ41C.’ According to the tweet, the update improves the camera’s image stitching capabilities, JPEG quality, and contributes to better overall stability. The update should now be available for download to Essential PH-1 owners and the process can be triggered after attaching the camera to the back of the aforementioned phone.
As many readers are already aware, the Essential 360 Camera is an accessory for the company’s first smartphone, the Essential PH-1. The accessory, or module, attaches to the back of the device using magnets and a couple of special connectors, and as the moniker suggests it provides 360-degree photography and video recording capabilities to Essential PH-1 owners. Spec-wise, the 360 Camera relies on a Qualcomm 8053 chipset and features dual 12-megapixel cameras with fisheye lens and a field of view of 210-degrees each, while providing an f/1.8 aperture. The unit is capable of recording 360-degree videos in a resolution of 3840 by 1920 pixels at a rate of 30 frames per second, and provides four microphones for 3D audio and ambisonic tetrahedral arrangement. And as mentioned above, in the wake of the latest software update, the Essential 360 Camera should now provide improved image stitching for 360-degree shots, as well as better overall JPEG quality.
Interesting to note is that Essential in its latest tweet also seems to have dropped a bit of information regarding the Android Oreo update for the PH-1 smartphone. Specifically, Essential replied to a user asking about the availability of Oreo on the flagship phone that the company hopes ‘to have an update to share soon.’ No other details have been revealed this time around, but earlier in September the OEM was expecting to launch the Android Oreo update within the next couple of months, and earlier in November the first Oreo beta build for the device was made available to Essential PH-1 owners wanting to participate in the pre-release program. But whether Essential will manage to release the first public build before the end of 2017 remains to be seen. Until then, 360 Camera owners should be able and enjoy an improved user experience.
We're rolling out a software update for Essential 360 Camera (build NNJ41C) that improves image stitching, JPEG quality and overall stability. Attach your camera and download it now.
— Essential (@essential) December 7, 2017