This remarkable skyscraper draws inspiration from the most unexpected of sources: sea sponges. The ambitious building will rise to a supertall height and will be topped by a publicly accessible tree-filled park.
Category: Architecture, Engineering
Tags: Building and Construction, Skyscrapers, Vancouver, Residential towers
art002e000192 (April 3, 2026) - A view of Earth taken by NASA astronaut and Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman from one of the Orion spacecraft's window after completing the translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026. The image features two auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (bottom right) is visible as the Earth eclipses the Sun.
Nikon D5 | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8G ED | 22mm | F4.0 | 1/4 sec | ISO 51,200
Photo: Reid Wiseman / NASA
On April 1, NASA successfully launched Artemis II, sending four astronauts to orbit the moon and marking the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program. There have already been plenty of incredible images of the launch shared, but now, NASA has shared the first images taken by the crew aboard Orion.
The two images were taken by Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman from the spacecraft's window. The photograph of Earth seen above is a truly remarkable view of our planet. You can make out two auroras at the top and bottom, and glowing zodiacal light on the bottom right; it's a special scene that was very well captured.
The second image includes a sliver of Earth as well as a portion of the spacecraft's window. It offers a sense of what these astronauts saw in the moment, which is pretty special in my opinion. I know I will never find myself on a spacecraft, but having a photo that lets me see what they see, at least in a small way, is really fun.
art002e000191 (April 3, 2026) - A view of Earth taken by NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman from one of the Orion spacecraft's four main windows after completing the translunar injection burn on April 2, 2026.
Nikon D5 | Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm F2D | F20 | 1/250 sec | ISO 250
Photo: Reid Wiseman / NASA
Commander Wiseman took both images after the maneuver that propels Orion around low Earth orbit, towards the Moon and, eventually, back home. All of the EXIF data is stored with the images, which is also neat to see. He took both photographs with a Nikon D5. For lenses, he used Nikon's 14-24mm F2.8 lens for the image at the top of the article and a 35mm F2 for the window image above.
art002e000180 (April 1, 2026) - This black and white image of Earth was captured by the optical navigation sensor on the exterior of the Orion spacecraft on the first day of the Artemis II mission, as the four astronauts inside were traveling farther than any humans have ventured in more than 50 years.
Photo: NASA
In addition to the two images taken by Commander Wiseman, NASA also shared a photograph taken by the optical navigation sensor on the exterior of the Orion spacecraft. The black and white shot is certainly dramatic, and shows just how capable some of the exterior cameras are as well.
With this kicking things off, we can't wait to see more from the Artemis II crew as they continue on their mission.
If you're curious to learn a bit more about what goes into being a photographer while in space, check out our 2019 interview with Colonel Terry Virts (ret.), a U.S. Air Force pilot and NASA veteran of two spaceflights. Colonel Virts shared some really interesting insights, such as the unique challenges that space poses for gear (radiation is not good for chips) and how cameras are picked for missions.
Vertical living green walls comprised of live plants are a natural energy-saving method for improving indoor air quality and enhancing interior design, but they're hampered by inconsistent performance.
Category: Architecture, Engineering
It seems like there are some big changes going on at OM System. This week, the company announced "a change in its shareholder structure," resulting in its president and CEO becoming the "principal shareholder of the Company." At the same time, there appears to have been a leadership shakeup at Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), the private equity firm that (formerly?) owned OM Digital Solutions (OMDS).
Neither press release from either company directly states that OM System's ownership moved from JIP to Shigemi Sugimoto, OMDS' CEO – JIP's press release doesn't mention OM System at all. From the outside, one possible explanation is that JIP reduced its stake to the point where Sugimoto effectively has control of the company. However, neither company has disclosed the exact ownership structure.
A brief history of OM System's corporate ownership (I promise it won't be as boring as it sounds): OM Digital Solutions used to be Olympus' imaging division, but was sold to Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (JIP) in 2021. While OMDS licensed the Olympus name for some of its cameras, lenses and accessories, it has since removed it from most of its products, which now bear the "OM System" logo.
Given that both OMDS and JIP are private, there isn't necessarily a paper trail of what transactions occurred. However, Olympus said the brand had 36 billion yen in capital when it sold it, around $358.5 million, given the exchange rates at the time.
In a recent interview, Kazuhiro Togashi, OM System's Senior Vice President of Global Brand & Marketing Strategy, told DPReview that the company has been operating profitably since its founding in 2021. "Our fundamental financial situation is very stable and stronger than it was before. We can invest in human resources or new technologies, not only for camera bodies but also for lenses," he said.
He also added that the company wasn't publicly listed, so it couldn't disclose specifics of its financial situation. But if it's as strong as he implied, it could be a clue as to why OM System leadership felt confident enough to take "full responsibility" for the company.
OM System's press release says "there will be no changes to the Company’s legal entity, corporate name, location, representative, business activities, or the fundamental terms of transactions with customers and business partners as a result of this change." It also says that it will "enable more agile and flexible decision-making, strengthen the Company’s management foundation, and further promote investments in technology development and business growth strategies from a medium- to long-term perspective."
Only time will tell how that works out, but it means that OM System's next launch, whatever it may be, will likely get a lot of attention.
As for JIP, current CEO Hidemi Moue is being replaced in that role by Shinichi Inagaki, the current Executive Vice President. Moue will stay on as CIO and as a managing partner, sharing the latter title with Inagaki. The company says the change "reflects JIP's continued business expansion" and is meant to "further strengthen the firm's investment capabilities."
The camera companion app is one of the key ways your camera communicates with the world, and a good one can be an important part of the photo‑sharing experience. While they used to be quite basic, the latest versions go further, offering tools such as the ability to edit images and keep your camera's firmware up-to-date.
Functionality and features vary by brand, though. Some companion apps are genuinely useful, while others may not be worth the trouble, depending on your workflow. Here, we’re looking at Panasonic’s app options and the features its most current app brings to the table.
Apps availableWhen searching your phone's app store, you'll find three separate apps for Panasonic cameras: Lumix Sync, Lumix Lab and Panasonic Image App. Which you should use depends on your camera model.
The oldest of these is the Panasonic Image App. It's only compatible with older Panasonic camera models, and it hasn't been updated since May 2025. Lumix Sync is also slightly older, having last received an update in October 2025, but it is compatible with recent S- and G-series Lumix cameras.
Lastly, Lumix Lab is the latest Panasonic camera companion app. As a result, it is only compatible with recent Lumix S and G cameras, including the S1 II, S1R II, S9 and more. This is the only Panasonic Lumix app currently receiving updates, so it's what we will be covering below.
Sending images to your phone The app gives you a few options for file types and makes it easy to transfer images to your phone.As one would expect from a camera app these days, the Lumix Lab app allows you to wirelessly transfer images from your camera to your phone. It supports high speed transfer using 5GHz Wi-Fi, though you can turn this off if you don't want to, or legally can't use it. There's also the option to toggle automatic transfers on or off, which can send files to your phone as soon as they are taken (provided the two devices connected via Wi-Fi are relatively close together).
Lumix Lab allows you to transfer both JPEG and Raw files, though you do need to change some settings first, as Raw files are not transferred by default. To change this, navigate to Settings by tapping the three lines in the top left corner. Alternatively, when in the 'Transfer Photo / Video' menu, you can tap the gear icon in the top right corner. You can then choose Raw + JPEG, Raw, or JPEG. You can also choose from the same options for when you're shooting HEIF instead of JPEG.
The app also gives you the option to add the Raw file to your gallery or not. If you toggle that feature off, the Raw file will be saved to your phone's gallery, but will not be in the Lumix Lab gallery. If on, Raw files will be in both places.
Camera trigger and settings control Lumix Lab gives you two ways to remotely control your camera.The Lumix Lab app offers remote camera controls, letting you adjust settings and trigger the shutter. The 'Camera Control' option gives you near-complete control over basic camera settings. You can change exposure compensation, shutter speed, aperture, ISO and white balance. There's also an option to change the camera mode (with the same settings as the top dial), or you can lock it so the mode can only be changed on the camera itself. It also provides options to apply real-time LUTs and change file formats, aspect ratio, drive mode, metering mode, focus mode and timer settings.
The 'Camera Control' feature shows you what your camera sees, functioning as a viewfinder. It even lets you change your focus point by tapping the image, just like you can on the rear display. It works with both photo and video functions.
Alternatively, if you only want a remote trigger function with no controls or live view, there's the 'Shutter Remote Control' option. It offers a simple digital button to tap to take photos or start and end video recordings.
GPS sharingCameras typically lack built-in GPS, but the Lumix Lab app lets you share your phone's GPS data with the camera. This is ideal if you want location data stored with your images. The feature is off by default, but tapping the three dots in the top-right corner opens a menu that lets you toggle geotagging on. You can also use this menu to have your camera's clock automatically sync with your phone's.
Firmware updatesPanasonic at one time provided the ability to update your camera's firmware with the Lumix Lab app, but it disabled that on October 20th, 2025. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, this means firmware updates must be done via a computer; a shame, since the ability to update your camera with your phone is typically one of the nicest parts of having the two connected.
Capabilities beyond the basicsThe Lumix Lab app also offers features and tools beyond the basics listed above, giving you creative controls right in the app.
Editing There are all of the basic editing tools in the app.The app provides access to basic editing tools, allowing you to adjust brightness, contrast, white balance, curves, noise reduction, straightening and more. However, while Lumix Lab supports transferring and storing Raw files, it does not support Raw editing. All editing tools are for JPEG files only, so you'll need a different app if you want to edit your Raws.
LUTs You can create your own LUTs, download ones created by others and send LUTs to your camera.One feature Panasonic is very proud of with the Lumix Lab app is its LUTs for both photos and videos. There are multiple ways to interact with these. You can apply them in real time when using the camera controls, or add them after the fact when editing. There's a free LUT library where you can download versions created by others, or you can use the app to design your own, before uploading them to your camera, where you can use the Real-Time LUT feature to apply them to your straight-out-of-camera JPEGs.
Lastly, the Magic LUT tool lets you upload a photo with a look you like, and it uses AI to automatically create a LUT based on that.
Live streamingFinally, the Lumix Lab app supports setting up your camera for live streaming. It is compatible with YouTube directly and with other streaming services using the RTMP/RTMPS protocol.
For anyone who has driven Highway 101 through Mountain View, California, Hangar One at Moffett Field is as familiar as the mountains in the distance. For most of the past decade, though, it was a haunt rather than a landmark – a hulking steel skeleton and reminder of engineering ambition looming over Silicon Valley. That changed last month. On March 20, officials and community members gathered inside the fully restored hangar to mark a moment many had stopped believing would ever come.
Category: Architecture, Engineering
Tags: NASA, Ames Laboratory, Airships, Blimp, Google, Aviation
When Sihoo reached out to me to test out its C300 Pro office chair, I thought, why not? So what if it’s not a motorcycle? The truth is, I spend more hours sitting in a chair in my study than on the saddle of my motorcycle.
Category: Around The Home, Consumer Tech, Technology
You know how your fingertip flushes white when you press it against a hard surface? Well, scientists have now used that phenomenon to place augmented reality (AR) touch panels on real-world surfaces such as walls and desks.
Category: Virtual Reality, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Augmented Reality, Tohoku University, Touchscreen, Fingers
Alright Genesis, the time for pussyfooting is over. After its unveiling back in December 2025, we're getting a better look at the G90 Wingback concept at the ongoing 2026 New York International Auto Show – and our desire for this masterpiece has grown even more wanton.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Genesis, hyundai genesis, shooting brake, Concept Vehicle, New York International Auto Show 2026
Nikon D810 w/ Nikkor 400mm F2.8 + 2.0x TC | F8 | 1/400 sec | ISO 3600
Photo: Lance Blackburn
If there's any class of creatures that deserves to be captured on camera in all its glory, it's birds. There are at least 11,000 known bird species across the planet and just as wide a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. As seen in the image above of the Rainbow Lorkeet, many birds carry intense and vibrant beauty across their feathers. Birds are a group of maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs with origins dating back at least 66 million years. They've had at least this much time to continue to evolve into some of the amazing species we see today.
Community member Lance Blackburn (aka Lance B in the forums) has taken some impressive bird photography over the years and is ready to share it with you in today's article. From starting out with a Pentax ME Super SLR decades ago to embracing modern mirrorless systems, his 45-year journey spans film, digital and mirrorless photography.
This story is part of our What's in your bag? spotlight series. The series showcases the diverse gear and photography of our community, and shares their stories of how that gear helped them to capture the perfect shot.
Submit your photos and story to be featured in 'What's in your bag?'
Meet Lance Blackburn (Lance B.)Home base: Australia
Favorite camera and lens: Nikon Z8 paired with the Nikkor Z 600 TC and 135 F1.8 S Plena. Lance favors this setup for wildlife photography because it's lightweight for its class and includes a built-in teleconverter, giving him the flexibility to shoot at 600mm or extend to 840mm, perfect for capturing birds and other animals in their natural habitats.
Typical photo scenes: Lance primarily photographs birds, wildlife and landscapes within a few hours' drive from home, though he also travels overseas to capture unique bird habitats in places like Lord Howe Island, Australia. His work blends the exploration of raw nature with the diverse beauty of life in the air.
"I've been passionate about photography since I was 20, when I got my first Pentax ME Super SLR. My father's love for slides and film nights sparked my early interest, and I've carried that enthusiasm ever since. Life kept me from dedicating as much time as I wanted at first, but over the years, photography has become a vital part of my day."
While-bellied Sea Eagle catching a fish.Nikon D500 w/ Nikkor 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 @ 155mm | F5.6 | 1/2500 sec | ISO 360
Photo: Lance Blackburn
Photo: Lance Blackburn
What are your favorite pieces of gear?"I have over 20 Nikon Z lenses that cover everything I love about photography, and they help me achieve the results I desire. The collection includes birding and animal lenses, landscape lenses, travel lenses and several others for more artistic endeavors."
"While my favorite lenses are the Z 600 TC and the 135 F1.8 Plena, all the lenses I own are superb, and I wouldn't want to do without any of them."
"It kind of depends on where I am going. If I know there are places to eat, I won't bring food. A water bottle always goes with me, and generally antiseptic wet wipes and a small towel. Depending on where I am going and the time of year, warm clothing and/or wet-weather gear are a smart thing to bring. I would also suggest bringing a few small tools, like an Allen key for tripod use."
Osprey with a catch.Nikon Z9 w/ Nikkor 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR + 1.4x TC | F5.6 | 1/3200 sec | ISO 2200
Photo: Lance Blackburn
"My father was into photography, mainly Super 8 film as well as still photography with slides and prints. I always loved those film nights we had as children, and that sowed the seed of interest."
"When I was about 20, I purchased my first 'real' camera, a Pentax ME Super SLR, and that got me hooked. However, I didn't have that much money back then, and I was busy with many other things, so my photography took a back seat. It was only when DSLRs became affordable in the early 2000's that I jumped into the hobby boots and all."
What's unique about photographing overseas locations?"Every one of my trips overseas has been memorable. From visiting developing world countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand when they were developing countries, to the history and cultures of Europe and Japan.
Going to Lord Howe Island, a World Heritage Site, however, was a special treat. I got to photograph one of the world's rarest birds, the Lord Howe Island Woodhen, with fewer than 300 individuals left in its population.
Nankeen Kestrel preening itself. An endemic Kestrel native to Australia.Nikon D800 w/ Nikkor 500mm F4 + 1.4x TC | F8 | 1/3200 sec | ISO 1800
Photo: Lance Blackburn
"I like to shoot both alone and with others, depending on what and where I (or we) are going to see. Shooting birds alone is sometimes best, though, because extra people may scare them more easily. However, sometimes it is good to go with others for company and safety reasons. So, is the shot more important, or is the overall journey and experience with others more important to you?"
Sacred KingfisherNikon D810 w/ Nikkor 400mm F2.8 + 2.0x TC | F8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 6400
Photo: Lance Blackburn
Lance really enjoyed writing the content for this spotlight article and would be grateful for you to join him in discussion in the forums. Thanks, Lance, for being featured!
If you’d like to share your photography setup, tell us about your main camera, lens choices, key settings and strategies. Your photos and story could be featured in the next article!
Editor's note: This article continues a series, 'What's in your bag?', highlighting DPReview community members, their photography and the gear they depend on. Would you like to be featured in a future installment? Tell us a bit about yourself and your photography by filling out this form. If you're selected for a feature, we'll be in touch with next steps.
Submit your photos and story to be featured in 'What's in your bag?'
Left to right: Yuji Igarashi, General Manager, Professional Imaging Group
Jun Watanabe, Head of Product Planning, Professional Imaging Group
Makoto Oishi, Senior Manager of GFX product planning.
Photo: Abby Ferguson
An everyday-carry medium format camera, a quirky camera that is unapologetically not for everyone and a lens program shaped by users: Fujifilm's latest moves have certainly raised some eyebrows. Behind all of those devices, though, is a common thread that Fujifilm shared with us: the experience of using a camera is equally as important as the output.
At CP+ this year in Yokohama, we met with Fujifilm to talk about where the company is headed. Our conversation ranged from the GFX100RF and X half to film simulations, lens design and how closely Fujifilm wants to listen to its community.
The X half and the importance of experience Photo: Richard ButlerThe X half is a camera that seemed to leave many confused. "I know X half is not for everyone. Because there are limitations," Igarashi explains. "But it's something to demonstrate that photography can be fun. It doesn't have to be too serious."
In terms of who the X half is for, many are first time Fujifilm buyers, and "over 70% of the users are in their 30s or below," Igarashi tells us. "That's quite a big number. And over 40% are women." Those are demographics he told us last year the company saw as an area for expansion. "But for the photography business and the digital camera business to be able to sustain itself and grow, we need younger people to continue to be interested in photography," he says.
"I think it's whether you can provide an enjoyable experience while making the image."In Igarashi's view, connecting with the younger generation comes down to, in large part, experience. "I think it's whether you can provide an enjoyable experience while making the image," he explains. "Because smartphones can take great images, right? They're already really good. But I think that the experience is not as enjoyable as using a camera."
That enjoyment has to be balanced with image quality, however. "Otherwise, even if you enjoy the experience, if you don't get a good result, then I think people would get bored," he explains. "Maybe buying an old compact camera secondhand is fashionable for a while, but then you don't want to continue that. But if you have that enjoyable experience as well as great results, which you can cherish for years to come, then I think it will not just be a one-off thing; you will continue to enjoy photography."
The GFX100RF is not a one-off Photo: Richard ButlerOpinions were also quite mixed when Fujifilm released the GFX100RF, a medium format camera with a fixed lens, last summer. Fujifilm says the camera is selling well, but there were also complaints. "Although it's much smaller than the other GFX interchangeable lens cameras, some people would still think it's quite big," acknowledges Igarashi. Complicating the desire for something even more compact, though, was frustration from some about the lack of IBIS.
While Igarashi says there are lots of things you can photograph without IBIS, he isn't dismissive of the desire for it, either. "Some people want to use GFX as an everyday carry, for example, and for every situation," he notes. However, he says leaving IBIS out was a decision the team made to keep the camera's size reasonable, and one that seems likely to remain in future versions. "If we were to put IBIS inside, we can't really make it smaller," he explains.
"We are quite confident that this design could not be a one one-off camera."Speaking of future versions, the GFX100RF will likely not be a single-edition model. "We are quite confident that this design could not be a one one-off camera but could carry on into the future," explains Igarashi. Watanabe even sees the GFX100RF as an important addition to the Fujifilm lineup. "I think this is a turning point to expand our [medium] format system," he says.
Their comments strongly suggest that we may see additional medium format cameras from Fujifilm in the future. "The medium format sensor has a lot of potential, I think, which is probably still underutilized... I think we see a huge potential. So maybe there will be more unique products to come from this format," Igarashi tells us.
Fujifilm's film heritage and colorsFujifilm added a dedicated film simulation dial to the X-E5, showing its dedication to the feature.
Photo: Mitchell Clark
Fujifilm has long offered film simulations on its cameras, a feature that once set them apart from other brands. Recently, though, other companies have been adding their own takes on the idea as well, but Fujifilm still sees that it has an edge over what they are doing.
"Fuji has a history in film, and of course, in film simulation," Oishi explains. "And knowledge of the stock and target colors that so many customers used to use. So that kind of story will never die for us. That's a big differentiation from others."
He adds that the company's historical knowledge is something it can use as it studies future technologies as well. Given that display technology has changed so much in recent years, and that a few cameras have introduced more true HDR photography, adjustments to the classic film simulations may be necessary. Oishi tells us that the company isn't yet making changes, but that it should. In terms of HDR-versions of its film simulations specifically: "I think so. It's a future possibility," Oishi says.
Where the X mount lineup is headedOf course, cameras are only one part of the equation. The company recently hosted an event dubbed 'Focus on Glass,' during which Igarashi discussed Fujifilm's development philosophy, the features of its existing lens lineup, and lenses that the product planning team is considering.
Igarashi tells us that the team wanted to host such an event partly because Fujifilm hasn't done a great job of conveying to users what makes X mount lenses worthwhile. "A lot of people tend to just look at the spec sheet and say, 'Okay, this is a 1.2 lens, a 1.0 lens, so bright,' and without really knowing what the resolution is corner to corner. In terms of the spec sheet, maybe some of the third-party lenses look better than ours. We just want to reiterate that we put a lot of focus on making lenses, and that's our technology as well."
"We want to see whether our passion aligns with the user's passion."The video also included an introduction to 14 concept lenses and allowed users to vote on which they would like to see made. "There are a few opinions within the product planning team, and they all have different lenses they want to make," Igarashi tells us. "We want to see whether our passion aligns with the user's passion." According to Igarashi, user opinions will hold weight, too: "I would never take that lightly."
The results have been shared, and practicality seemed to reign supreme over novelty: the 16-80mm F2.8 received the most votes, followed by the 18-50mm F1.4 and the dual focal length 18 and 30mm. Only time will tell which of these come to fruition.
This article is based on an interview by Dale Baskin and Abby Ferguson at CP+ 2026. It has been edited for clarity and flow.
The Katrin tiny house packs a lot of flexibility into its compact frame. Sleeping four adults comfortably, it can be upgraded to run off-grid and features a well-thought-out interior that includes a space-saving folding staircase and underfloor heating.
Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors
Tags: Building and Construction, Micro-House, Tiny Footprint, House, Home
Humanity took its first step back to the Moon after 53 years as the US Artemis II circumlunar mission lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B in Florida at 6:35 PM EDT with four astronauts aboard.
Category: Space Systems, Engineering
Tags: artemis, Space Launch System, Moon
Platform pedals with traction pins are great for keeping your feet in place, but they can cause joint injuries by restricting your natural foot movements. The 8 Degree Pedal is made to help, as it's the first platform pedal that's designed to float.
NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen standing atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), around the Moon and back to Earth no earlier than April 1, 2026.
Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)
For space fans, today marks an exciting milestone: NASA is set to launch Artemis II at 6:24 p.m. ET, sending four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. Artemis II is the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program and a crucial step toward eventually returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time in decades.
Ahead of the launch, we're seeing lots of content from NASA and beyond, sharing information about what we can look forward to seeing. One interesting video by YouTuber Erin Winick Anthony walks through some of the more than 28 cameras that will be mounted on Artemis II to document the journey.
The Orion capsule has numerous mounted cameras, including some on the ends of the four Orion solar arrays, which will provide really awesome views of the capsule. There are also lots of handheld cameras for the astronauts, too. That includes four handheld GoPros for the crew to record daily life, though that footage will be stored locally, and we'll have to wait to see it. The crew also has Nikon cameras that will provide live video during some of the mission as well, continuing a longstanding tradition of the agency using Nikons in space.
The sheer number of cameras underscores how important it is for NASA and its partners to document the mission well. To aid in that mission, National Geographic stepped in, sending photo and video experts to Houston last year to train the Artemis II crew. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen essentially attended a mini "astronaut film school," learning core visual storytelling techniques to better showcase the Artemis mission.
That's not all, either. The crew has also been using visualization tools to help plan photographic targets. Those targets include the Orientale basin and recreating the "Earthrise" moment from Apollo 8 that Christina Koch had as a poster on her wall as a child. The visualization tools have allowed the crew to practice with different lighting scenarios, and they've even been practicing by aiming cameras at the simulations.
The launch is scheduled for this evening, so hopefully conditions align, and everything goes smoothly for a planned – and safe – launch. If you happen to be in Florida or eastern Georgia, you may even be able to catch a glimpse. NASA shared a map of when to expect to see the launch based on your location, which you can check out here.
We've covered Verge Motorcycles extensively for years, as the Estonian brand has been hard at work developing a novel electric motorcycle that looks – and runs – like nothing else out there. The company says it's now shipped its first bike with a world-first solid-state battery.
Category: Motorcycles, Transport
Tags: Electric Vehicles, verge-motorcycles, Solid-state, Battery Technology, Battery
Welcome back to our Question of the Week series! This reader-focused series aims to get our photographic community to share thoughts on all sorts of photography-related topics in our forums. We pose questions about gear, favorite camera stores, advice, problem-solving and more, and you share your thoughts and opinions.
This week, we’re leaning into the holiday spirit! The season of giving (and occasionally re-gifting) is upon us, and that means it’s time to unwrap some memories – both heartwarming and hilarious.
What are the best (and worst) photography-related gifts you've received?What’s the best photography-related gift you’ve ever received? Maybe it was a dream lens that caused you to take on an adventure deep in the mountains, or a handmade camera strap that’s now an essential part of your kit. And what about the worst? Perhaps someone thought you needed yet another "World’s Best Photographer" mug, or that odd lens filter set that turned every photo a shade of green.
In this edition of our Question of the Week series, we want to hear your gift stories: the memorable, the useful and the truly baffling. Share your favorites (and flops) in the forum link below. Photos of the gifts (or what you created with them) are also more than welcome! We'll highlight some of your most entertaining and heartfelt responses in next week's roundup.
Most DPReview readers will know Canon from its photographic equipment, such as cameras, lenses, printers, and inks. Some may even know that it's an important player in lithography, making the machines that help make computer chips. But you'd have to have a pretty good memory (or be a frequent watcher of my former employer The Verge's Version History podcast) to know that the company once made and sold computers, including one that was designed by a key member of the original team that built the Apple Macintosh.
That computer is called the Canon Cat, and its creation was led by Jef Raskin. It debuted in 1987, according to The A Register, and Canon sold it not as a word processor, electronic typewriter or even personal computer. Instead, the company called it a "Work Processor": a machine to "help you write and edit, communicate and calculate."
You don't buy something called the Cat to use a mouse.Despite the Macintosh lineage*, the Cat didn't adopt what was arguably one of that computer's defining features: a mouse for navigating the UI, an omission that was actually touted in the marketing materials (which have thankfully been preserved on CanonCat.net). Nor did it have arrow keys. Instead, you navigated using the keyboard, which had various secondary functions attached to its standard letter keys. The core navigation feature, though, was the Leap system.
The Leap system used two keys under the spacebar. If you pressed Leap, then started typing, your cursor would jump to whatever word matched what you had just entered. So, for example, if I pressed Leap and entered "Ver", it would jump back to the first paragraph to select "Verge," and from there I could make whatever changes I wanted. The buttons also had a secondary function that let you cycle forward and back through your text to jump between multiple instances of what you typed.
The Cat had some other cool ideas too, largely designed to make it simple to use without much training, in a time when a lot of people wouldn't have that much experience with a computer. For the most part, the main program you interacted with acted just like a stack of paper, letting you break the pages up into separate documents however you saw fit. But documents didn't just have to be text; you could also create spreadsheets alongside your text, which could automatically run calculations (which, again, you controlled using the Leap system).
The Cat could also sort text, run a spell check, print documents and even control your phone. It was, however, a much more basic machine than something like the Macintosh, with its programs like MacPaint, PageMaker and, just three years after the Cat was introduced, Photoshop. You would hope the Apple computer could do more, though, given that the Cat retailed for $1495 (around $4300 today), while its contemporary, the Macintosh II, started at $3769 (a whopping $10,842 after inflation).
The Cat was an appliance computer; a machine that ran a handful of included programs, rather than one that let you run arbitrary applications.
Image: Canon (via CanonCat.net)
Ultimately, though, it was the Macintosh's idea of computing that won out, rather than the Cat's**. While text-editing pros can jump around their documents just as fast as the Leap system allowed, that style of editing didn't end up becoming the norm for most office workers. But the Cat is a reminder of a time when the future of computing was up for debate, and when companies were taking big swings to come up with the way we would all interact with the machines that were fast becoming a part of daily life.
It's also a reminder of when Canon made computers for personal use and office workers, a business it's been out of for quite a while. That's probably okay, though; it's doing pretty well at selling cameras.
If you want to learn more about The Cat, CanonCat.net has an archive of much of its marketing material and documentation, including reference guides and contemporary articles. Archive.org has an emulator of the Cat's operating system, which lets you get a feel for how the Leap system works (the Option or Alt keys act as the Leap keys). There's also a 6-minute video on YouTube demoing a working Canon Cat.
* - While Jef Raskin helped pioneer the Macintosh and a lot of the ideas it introduced, other members of the Macintosh team say the concept changed quite substantially from his original vision after Steve Jobs took the project over. It's controversial whether he was a fan of what the mouse ended up being.
** I'm sure there's some particular text editor for Linux that works more like the Cat that people are leaping to the comments to tell me about, but most people use a mouse or, these days, a touchscreen.
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