Nokia's superiority in the mobile phone industry may be said
has fallen. But it doesn't mean that this Finnish company has given up to
struggle in the technology industry. On July 28, in Los Angeles, Nokia held an
event that's devoted for entertainment industry. In the event, Nokia introduced
a new product category that had never been made by this company before.
This new product is a VR (virtual reality) camera named
Nokia Ozo. The main advantage of this camera is its ability to record video and
audio in 360 degrees. Ozo is designed by Nokia's Technologies division, which
was also responsible for the birth of Nokia N1 tablet. At first glance Ozo
looks like a training remote of Han Solo in the Star Wars series.
Inside this device, there are 8 sensors to capture images
from any angle. But more interesting, Nokia also provides 8 microphones so that
the produced videos can also present an immersive surround sound.
Another advantage of the Nokia Ozo is its ability to render
VR video in the low-resolution in order to be able to be monitored directly by
the filmmakers by using VR headset in real-time, before finally it's rendered
in a maximum resolution at post-recording. Thus, a director doesn't have to
wait for hours just to see the 'raw' results made by his team.
Although it sounds promising, Ozo is not intended for
consumers in general, but for well-known production houses which majorities are
operating in Hollywood - that's why the show was held in Los Angeles. Nokia Ozo
perhaps will be offered in a high price.
So far, Nokia has been holding Jaunt VR studio to test and
refine this VR camera device. Nokia Ozo's technical specification will be
announced in the future, and Nokia expects to start marketing the Ozo in the
fourth quarter of 2015.