Autographer

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox camera | camera_name =Autographer | image = File:Autographer.png | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | maker =OMG Life Ltd. | type = | sensor =  | sensor_type =  | sensor_size =  | sensor_maker = | filmformat = | filmsize = | recording_medium =Digital | res =  | lens_mount = | lens =Wide-angle | focus_type = | exposure = | flash = | flashcomp =  | fsynch =  | fadvance =  | frewind =  | frame_rate = | shutter = | shutterRange = | shutter_speeds = | f-numbers = | metering = | emode =  | mmode =  | farea =  | fmode =  | cont =  | viewfinder = | ovf =  | magnification = | coverage =  | speedRange =  | DXcoding =  | flbkt =  | fcbkt =  | WB =  | wbbkt =  | brightness =  | imsize =  | throwdis =  | prores =  | rearLCD = | storage = | battery = | dimensions = | weight = | price = | date = 30 July 2013 | obp =  | odb =  | omd =  | oacc =  | complens =  | compflash =  | interface_AVout =  | interface_Data =  | body_comp-feats =  | made_in = | footnotes = | exbkt =  | drbkt =  | drcomp =  | iproc =  | vidrecord =  }}

'''Autographer''' is a hands-free, wearable digital camera developed by OMG Life. The camera uses five different sensors to determine when to automatically take photos and can take up to 2,000 pictures a day. It was released in July 2013 and is used primarily for lifelogging, entertainment and travel. As of 16 October 2016, OMG Life, the company behind Autographer discontinued operations.

== History ==

Autographer was developed by British company OMG Life, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oxford Metrics Group (OMG) plc, after licensing technology from Microsoft to create a medical memory aid called the Vicon Revue.<ref name=CellanJones13/><ref name=Dishman14>{{cite news |title=Can Better Memories Be Captured? |author=Lydia Dishman |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3027723/can-better-memories-be-captured |newspaper=Fast Company |date=21 March 2014 |accessdate=24 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=BloombergBW>{{cite web |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=OMG:LN |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140422161631/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=OMG:LN |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2014 |title=Omg Plc |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |publisher=Bloomberg |accessdate=24 March 2014 }}</ref> The original product was released in October 2009 and was designed to capture the lives of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other memory problems, so that their doctors could assess how many of the events the patients recalled.<ref name=CellanJones13/><ref name=Payne13/><ref name=Lindores09>{{cite news |title=Microsoft camera deal powers OMG share jump |author=Sharon Lindores |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/omg-microsoft-idUSLF67180420091015 |work=Reuters |date=15 October 2009 |accessdate=14 March 2014}}</ref> OMG reinvented the device as a consumer product based on feedback from customers who were using the technology for entertainment purposes.<ref name=CellanJones13/>

The media was first able to view prototypes for Autographer in March 2013,<ref name=Payne13>{{cite news |title=Autographer's automatic photography is seductive - but what about privacy? |author=Christian Payne |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/jul/31/autographer-review-wearable-camera-documentally |work=The Guardian |date=31 July 2013 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> and journalists were invited to test the product at the London Zoo before its release.<ref name=CellanJones13>{{cite news |title=Life with a wearable camera |author=Rory Cellan-Jones |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23488118 |work=BBC |date=29 July 2013 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Woods13>{{cite news |title=Autographer review: We put this $615 wearable life-logging camera to the test |author=Ben Woods |url=https://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2013/07/29/autographer-review-we-put-this-615-wearable-life-logging-camera-to-the-test/#!zErS9 |work=The Next Web |date=29 July 2013 |accessdate=14 March 2014}}</ref> Autographer went on sale in July 2013 in the U.K. and Europe.<ref name=Smith13>{{cite news |title=Autographer wearable camera launches tomorrow for £400, we go hands-off |author=Mat Smith |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/07/29/autographer-wearable-camera-hands-on-price/ |work=Engadget |date=29 July 2013 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Curtis13/> It was initially sold on a dedicated Autographer website prior to its global release.<ref name=Curtis13/>

It was featured on ''The Jonathan Ross Show'' in January 2014.<ref name=TVEyes14>{{Cite episode | url = http://mms.tveyes.com/Transcript.asp?stationid=6110&DateTime=01%2F08%2F2014+22%3A41%3A09&mediapreload=14&playclip=true |series=''The Jonathan Ross Show'' |station=ITV1LONDON |airdate=8 January 2014 |season=6 |number=1 }}</ref> That same month, UK retailer Topman used Autographers during its London Collections: Men event. The Autographer images captured by its team were publicly viewable on the brand's digital magazine website, Topman Generation. The promotion also included a daily giveaway of an Autographer.<ref name=RetailBulletin14>{{cite news |title=Topman & Google+ Partner For London Collections: Men |url=http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/topman_partners_with_google_for_london_collections_men_fashion_show_06-01-14/ |work=The Retail Bulletin |date=6 January 2014 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> Previously only available in black, the company added new color options to Autographer, including blue, green, and yellow, at the International CES in January 2014.<ref name=Westbrook14>{{cite news|title=Wearable tech, 4K TVs and robots trend at annual CES |author=Brian M. Westbrook |url=http://www.king5.com/news/technology/Wearable-tech-4K-TVs-and-robots-trend-at-annual-CES-239312991.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140422161654/http://www.king5.com/news/technology/Wearable-tech-4K-TVs-and-robots-trend-at-annual-CES-239312991.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2014 |work=KING-TV |date=8 January 2014 |accessdate=13 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name=4Traders14>{{cite news |title=Autographer Announces Three Colorful New Choices at CES 2014 for Consumers to Capture Life's Most Precious Moments |url=http://www.4-traders.com/news/Autographer-Announces-Three-Colorful-New-Choices-at-CES-2014-for-Consumers-to-Capture-Lifes-Most-Pr--17759285/ |work=4 Traders |date=7 January 2014 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> In March 2014, it was announced that OMG Life had developed a waterproof kit for Autographer with waterproof case maker Aquapac, allowing the device to be used underwater to a depth of 30 feet for around 30 minutes.<ref name=Lee14>{{cite news |title=Autographer wearable camera now lets you take hands-free photos underwater |author=Nicole Lee |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/autographer-waterproof-kit/ |newspaper=Engadget |date=25 March 2014 |accessdate=2 April 2014}}</ref>

As of 16 October 2016, OMG Life, the company behind Autographer discontinued operations.

== Design and features == Autographer is wearable technology that features a hands-free, lifelogging camera in a plastic casing meant to be worn around the neck or clipped to clothing.<ref name=Spence13/><ref name=Goldman14>{{cite news |title=Wearable cameras at CES 2014: Autographer |author=Joshua Goldman |url=http://ces.cnet.com/2300-35304_1-10019340-3.html |work=CNET |date=8 Jan 2014 |accessdate=13 March 2014 |archive-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112004132/http://ces.cnet.com/2300-35304_1-10019340-3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=RomerLee13/> The camera is 5 megapixels and has a 136-degree wide-angle lens that was designed to resemble a human eye.<ref name=Payne13/><ref name=RomerLee13/> Autographer is 90x36mm in size and weighs approximately 58 grams.<ref name=Vincent13>{{cite news |title=Autographer camera launches: Snap 2,000 pics a day without lifting a finger |author=James Vincent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/autographer-camera-launches-snap-2000-pics-a-day-without-lifting-a-finger-8739961.html |work=The Independent |date=31 July 2013 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=RomerLee13>{{cite news |title=Autographer – Capturing the city |author=Chris Romer-Lee |url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/autographer-–-capturing-the-city/5063880.article |work=Building Design |date=25 November 2013 |accessdate=12 March 2014}}</ref> Autographer has five sensors to detect changes in environment. These changes trigger the camera to take a photo.<ref name=Curtis13/><ref name=RomerLee13/><ref name=Spence13/> There is a sensor to determine when there is a shift in color, an infrared sensor for lighting changes, a thermometer that reacts to temperature, a magnetometer that perceives direction changes, and an accelerometer which detects motion.<ref name=Woods13/><ref name=Goldman14/> The device also uses GPS to track where photos were taken.<ref name=Goldman14/><ref name=Curtis13>{{cite news |title=Autographer: 2,000 pictures a day from your wearable camera |author=Sophie Curtis |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10213150/Autographer-2000-pictures-a-day-from-your-wearable-camera.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=31 Jul 2013 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> Unlike traditional digital cameras, it does not have a screen to preview images.<ref name=Spence13/> The images captured by Autographer can be managed through an iOS or Android app and desktop software.<ref name=Payne13/><ref name=RomerLee13/> Bluetooth syncing allows users to automatically port images to their devices.<ref name=Fowler14>{{cite news |title=Very Candid Cameras: Autographer and Narrative Clip Are Watching You |author=Geoffrey A. Fowler |url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304757004579334690844629788 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=21 January 2014 |accessdate=13 March 2014}}</ref> Using the software and apps, users are able to edit and tag images, as well as view collected data about them, including GPS.<ref name=Goldman14/><ref name=Smith13/> Images can also be used to create animated GIFs and stop motion videos.<ref name=Curtis13/><ref name=Goldman14/>

Autographer can take up to 2,000 photos a day and contains 8GB of memory that can store up to 16,000 images.<ref name=Curtis13/><ref name=Goldman14/>

== Reception ==

Autographer has received positive reviews for its ease of use, and the quality of its app and software by both ''Forbes'' and ''The Guardian'',<ref name=Spence13/><ref name=Payne13/><ref name=RomerLee13/> while the ability to take unique candid shots has been praised by ''The Wall Street Journal'' and ''Building Design''.<ref name=Fowler14/><ref name=RomerLee13/> It has been named a top travel gift by ''Escapism magazine'' and AOL UK Travel.<ref name=Escapsim13>{{cite news |title=Top Travel Gifts |url=http://www.escapismmagazine.com/featured/top-travel-gifts/ |newspaper=Escapism magazine |accessdate=2 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=Jowaheer13>{{cite news |title=Cracking Christmas gift ideas for travellers |author=Roshina Jowaheer |url=http://travel.aol.co.uk/2013/12/04/christmas-gift-ideas-for-travellers/#!slide=aol_1607118 |work=AOL UK Travel |date=4 December 2013 |accessdate=10 April 2014}}</ref> The product has received criticism in the media for privacy issues,<ref name=Vincent13/> and OMG has worked to address these concerns by including an etiquette guide with Autographer.<ref name=CellanJones13/><ref name=Curtis13/> Both ''The Wall Street Journal'' and ''The Guardian'' noted that the device's design makes it conspicuous when taking photos and includes a highly visible lens cover.<ref name=Spence13>{{cite news |title=The Autographer Is An Intelligent Wearable Camera That Raises Many Important Questions Forbes |author=Ewan Spence |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2013/12/19/the-autographer-is-an-intelligent-wearable-camera-that-raises-many-important-questions/ |work=Forbes |date=19 Dec 2013 |accessdate=12 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=Fowler14/><ref name=Payne13/> Other negative issues cited about Autographer include image quality and price.<ref name=Smith13/><ref name=CellanJones13/>

== References ==

== External links ==

[https://web.archive.org/web/20131116054459/http://www.autographer.com/ Autographer home page]

Category:Digital cameras Category:Ubiquitous computing Category:Wearable computers Category:Fashion accessories Category:Ambient intelligence