panorama

If you've been following the Curiosity rover's progress even a little, you've probably seen the cool 360-degree Mars panorama that hit the Web a couple days ago.

As CNET's Amanda Kooser pointed out, it's "about as close as you'll get to being there."

Now you can get even closer, virtually speaking. It turns out that the panorama works with gyroscopes, meaning that if you view it on your iPhone or iPad, you'll get a much more interactive experience.

Stop listening to me describe it and go do it:

My brother sometimes threatens to run away and join the eventual one-way human mission to Mars. He can get a better idea of what would await him by checking out an interactive, panoramic view of the planet as seen by the Curiosity rover.

Panographer Andrew Bodrov posted an explorable image of Mars to 360Cities. This is what it would it would look like if Google had been able to attach a Street View camera to the rover.

You can zoom and rotate the image to get a detailed, immersive view of the rocky surface, horizon, and the rover itself. It's the next best thing to being there, but without the crushing cold and lack of oxygen.… Read more

Microsoft Image Composite Editor (or ICE) is a multiple image assembler that allows you to quickly import images to generate panoramic photos. You just simply have to drag and drop photos into the application, and ICE will automatically scan and combine the images to create a seamless, high-res panorama.

Despite its long, complicated name, Microsoft Research's app is simple and straightforward. You aren't required to prepare photos or perform any complex ordering. ICE automatically scans each image to determine the best method of stitching images together, both vertically and horizontally. Although I didn't expect it to perform … Read more

As I unpacked my luggage on the night before the 2012 New York auto show, I made a very unfortunate discovery. I'd forgotten to bring my DSLR's charger and my camera's battery was dead. This wasn't a showstopper--we tend to cover these shows with the assistance of a dedicated photographer much better than I am--but it did mean that I'd be doing a bit of solo shooting with little more than my smartphone's camera.

Now, the HTC ThunderBolt 4G's camera is nothing to write home about, but with the aid of an app … Read more

The trick to enabling the panorama mode in iOS 5 is as simple as editing a system .plist file and writing it back to the device. … Read more

Happy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Day! Actually, that probably means none of you are listening to our show today. You're likely at your local Costco, Sam's Club, or other restaurant supply depot stocking up on Twizzlers and Four Loko for the next two weeks of gaming hibernation.

But if you're ready for a break, today we'll tell you how to case business interiors for your next B&E using Google+ and GMaps, access the hidden panorama mode in the iOS5 camera app, pay $19 for a truly unlimited everything cell phone plan, and why you probably shouldn't let a cowboy doctor in the UK shine a laser in your beautiful brown eyes.

Stream or download today's podcast after the break!… Read more

The much-rumored but hidden panorama mode in the iOS camera app has been uncovered.

The mode, which was discovered and revealed on Twitter by developer Conrad Kramer, allows consumers to capture panoramic images by snapping multiple photos while sweeping the camera from left to right.

The mode is activated by setting the "EnableFirebreak" key to "yes" in a preference file within the mobile operating system, Kramer said in his tweet. A hacker known as Chpwn posted screenshots on Twitter of the panorama mode in action.

It's unknown why Apple has chosen to hide capability, but … Read more

Lots to talk about this week, including a gravity-defying quantum levitation skateboard, Lytro's revolutionary new camera, the future of Android skin, and a robot helper for man's best friend. Plus, Donald shows off the nerdiest way to feed your baby, Rafe protects you from phishing scams, and Eric has the latest from Blizzcon.

Subscribe in iTunes SD Video | Subscribe in RSS SD Video … Read more

This week, Donald and Eric tackle some big tech ideas while fighting off a dark cloud of Nietzschean existentialism.

Microsoft demos shoulder-mounted touch-screen projectors, while Disney takes a decidedly low-tech route. We also look at a ball that can take 360-degree panoramic photos in one shot; advancements in harvesting energy from humans; the strength of your passwords; and a new spin on superhero teen shows.

… Read more