The recently announced GoPro Android App is now available for download. The new app features full control of all camera settings and remote viewfinder/preview on your Android device for shot framing.
It is currently compatible with Wi-Fi BacPac-enabled HERO2 cameras that have received the latest update from GoPro. Compatibility with the HERO3: White and Silver Edition should be coming this month, and compatibility for the HERO3: Black Edition should be available in December 2012.
GoPro just revealed its Hero3 Black Edition action cam and really stepped up the game. The Hero3 is 30% smaller and 25% lighter than the Hero2 and it sports a 2x faster image processor. The Hero3 is the first action cam to shoot 4K video. Frame rates and resolutions include:
4K at 12fps
2.7K at 30/25/24fps
1440p at 48/30/35/24fps
1080p at 60/50/48/30/25/24fps
960p at 100/48fps
720p at 120/100fps
854x480p at 240fps
The GoPro Hero3 also includes built-in WiFi for control via remote or by using the GoPro iOS and Android apps. The Hero3 sports a sharper lens and reduced distortion, as well as improved sound over the Hero2.
The Hero3 Black Edition retails for $400 and will ship Monday, October 22. You can check availability on GoPro’s website and at B&H Photo.
There is also a Silver Edition and a White Edition, priced at $300 and $200, respectively. Both of these models offer max resolution of 1080/30p and will also do 720p at 60fps.
The key differences between the Silver and White Editions are photo resolution and Protune compatibility. The Silver Edition offers 11MP still image capture while the White Edition offers 5MP still image capture. Additionally, the Silver Edition offers compatibility with Protune as well as control over white balance.
With everybody else dropping new action cams (e.g., Sony, Contour, Polaroid, etc.), it’s high time GoPro brought something new to the market with features like smartphone connectivity and 120fps at 720p as found in the new Sony HDR-AS15.
Photo Rumors notes that a new GoPro Hero 3 is expected by year’s end (as a replacement for the Hero 2) and will be a slimmer model with the expected built-in WiFi. The new Sony action cams are looking very solid thus far, so GoPro has some serious competition to step up to now…
GoPro announced some pretty exciting stuff for the POV market at NAB 2012. A new firmware upgrade for the GoPro HERO2 called Protune adds 24p and 35Mbps data rate to the HERO2. In partnership with Technicolor, the new Protune update adds the ability to shoot with a flat Cinestyle developed by Technicolor.
