While the current technology is focusing on adding that extra dimension, Brad Simon foresees something that goes far beyond.
“Our vision for the company is to change the way you look at video in the future,” says the Nottingham Township resident.
His company is Pittsburgh-based EyeSee360, and the number in the name reflects its mission: to provide panoramic imaging in all 360 degrees.
What exactly does that mean? Imagine that your head can swivel so that you can see not only up and down, to your left and right, but behind you as well.
Now, apply that to the TV screen, perhaps during a Penguins game. What’s Sidney Crosby doing at any given time? How about Evgeni Malkin? Who’s doing what up in the stands?
The television part is in the company’s future, but at present it addresses the Internet facet with its GoPano micro, a product that allows iPhone 4 and 4S users to record their own panoramic videos and post them online.
“We knew going into this, we have to make it easy,” Simon explains. So the function simply involves attaching the GoPano device to the phone, recording as video, finish recording and using the requisite app to send it to a website.
The site, www.gopano.com, which launched in mid-October, displays the 360-degree videos for visitors to peruse.
Select a video, select full screen and get ready to toggle and view everything that’s happening from every angle.
An example posted by a videographer is Piccadilly Circus in London: See all the buildings surrounding the historic plaza, along with the vehicles traveling through it.
“We see this as the next YouTube,” Simon says about the site.
His company decided to use the iPhone as the GoPano’s platform because it is the most consistent one currently available, he says. “Everything you want to do is in one device.”
EyeSee360 started in the late 1990s by Carnegie Mellon University alumni who brought expertise in computer science and optics. At the time, the hardware required for panoramic video left a whole lot to be desired, so the group concentrated on software development.
Eventually the company decided to raise capital for the GoPano micro through KickStarter, an online funding platform for creative projects. EyeSee360 produced a video to post about its product and set a fund-raising goal of $20,000 among backers who wanted to get in on the project’s ground floor.
“In six hours, we had our $20,000,” says Simon. “This was one of the most successful projects within KickStarter.”
So was the process of working with Apple on the GoPano app, which won approval almost immediately.
Sound cool? Visit http://eyesee360.com/ to learn more. And help spread the word, because Simon says as it currently stands: “This is probably the best-kept secret in the tech world.”
