As rumours suggested, Nokia Technologies today jumped into the virtual reality space but not in the way that many of us expected. Rather than unveiling a VR headset at its “Nowhere, now here” event today, the Finnish company unveiled Nokia OZO, the first commercially available virtual reality camera designed specifically for professional content creators.
“We’re thrilled to introduce OZO to the content creation world, and to define a completely new category of virtual reality capture and playback solutions,” said Ramzi Haidamus, president of Nokia Technologies. “OZO aims to advance the next wave of innovation in VR by putting powerful tools in the hands of professionals who will create amazing experiences for people around the world. We expect that virtual reality experiences will soon radically enhance the way people communicate and connect to stories, entertainment, world events and each other. With OZO, we plan to be at the heart of this new world.”
OZO will capture stereoscopic 3D video using eight synchronized global shutter sensors and spatial audio through eight integrated microphones. Software built for it will not only enable real-time 3D viewing but also eliminate the need to pre-assemble panoramic images.
Content filmed with OZO will be published for commercially available VR viewing hardware such as head mounted displays.
Nokia OZO pricing and full technical specifications will be announced at an upcoming formal launch this fall. It is expected to go on sale in Q4. As befits a product geared at professionals, expect a hefty price that will put it out of reach of most consumers.
Nokia also confirmed that the OZO is but the first in a planned portfolio of digital media solutions. Perhaps a VR headset will follow in the near future.
Source : Nokia