A new Google device surfaced at the FCC today that could well be the upcoming Pixel Tablet. At the FCC, the tablet appeared under Google's ID as A4RGTU8P. However, A4RGTU8P is not the model number of the upcoming Google Pixel tablet. This device is listed as "Wireless Device", which is a fairly generic description. Nowhere in these documents is it referred to as a tablet. The device supports Bluetooth LE, WiFi 6 and UWB. While that's not the most concrete proof that this is actually the Pixel Tablet, what else could it be? Sources): FCC The post Google's Pixel Tablet may have appeared at FCC appeared first on xiaomist's blog .
I checked the latest DJI OM 4 smartphone stabilizer.
Who needs a stabilizer for a smartphone?
Honestly: I have never been a big fan of smartphone stabilizers, especially since the optical stabilization system in leading smartphones has reached such a high level as in the iPhone 11 . I use it myself, I often use it to record some souvenirs from holidays or interesting moments in everyday life. I never thought about reaching for an additional stabilizer.
"Who needs a stabilizer for a smartphone?" - I asked myself when reaching for a new DJI product. Novice vloggers? If they record with smartphones, they rather appreciate their small size and do not want an additional device. Vloggers who think more seriously about their occupation with time still reach for vlogging cameras. Travelers? Similarly. Personally, I do not know anyone who would use this type of smartphone gimbals.
So I was really not too enthusiastic about the quick tests of the new DJI OM 4 mobile stabilizer. And with all the respect and sympathy for the brand's products. However, it took me 5 minutes of working with DJI OM 4 to change my mind 180 degrees and see its great potential.
The DJI OM 4 impresses with its ease of use and the pleasure of creating
Gimbals were generally not famous for their ease of use, smartphone stabilizers are much simpler, but they can also be a problem, so DJI OM 4 goes a step further.
The biggest and most important novelty of the DJI OM 4 is the magnetic smartphone mounting system. Instead of a classic smartphone holder with an adjustable arm, we get here two magnetic mounts. Both allow you to quickly and easily connect and disconnect your phone. How it's working?
We attach exchangeable magnetic tips to the stabilizer arm. The first option is an elegant, lightweight metal clamp that you can grip on the back of the phone. The mount can either be detached from the stabilizer together with the smartphone, or the smartphone can be removed from the mount. With this solution, the smartphone can be moved to the sides and must be properly balanced so that it is in the center. Either way, the entire process of assembling and disassembling the phone from the gimbal is extremely simple and fast.
The second option is even easier. The DJI OM 4 set also includes a magnetic holder with a ring holder that sticks to the back of the smartphone. After sticking and waiting 12 hours (this is what the instructions say), just bring the smartphone closer to the OM 4 arm, and thanks to the magnet, both devices will connect to each other in a flash. It couldn't be easier.
How do you work with such a solution in practice?
I had a bit of concern about whether the smartphone would be safe, holding only the magnet. In practice, for a few days of using DJI OM 4, I did not have even the slightest reason to worry. The smartphone holds very firmly, steadily and firmly. It takes some strength to detach the smartphone from the gimbal mount.
Magnetic fastening gives great comfort of creation. Comfort, even pleasure. It is easy to use (more on that in a moment), small and light (about that too), but it does not pose any barriers to operation, and even encourages you to use your smartphone creatively.
It is worth adding that the magnetic mount also has a removable ring that can be used every day. In Poland, such a solution is not popular, but the whole of Asia uses similar rings. I am not a big fan of it, but you have to admit that it has its advantages: we can use the smartphone more safely in public places, and the ring can also be used as a smartphone support, e.g. when watching Spider's Web TV at breakfast.
What are the disadvantages of such a solution? The magnetic mount must be glued to the "bare" smartphone without a cover or case. In the case of smartphones made of glass, such as my iPhone 11, the backs must first be covered with a round piece of foil included in the set, and then the mount should be attached to it. Admit it doesn't look good, right? In addition, during intensive use of the smartphone on a warm, summer day, the tip gets quite hot, which is not pleasant. The characteristic smell of metal is also on the hands.
All this, however, is of secondary importance if we want to record videos or take photos using the OM 4. I cannot imagine that I would use a magnetic mount with a ring every day: mainly because I do not have a frequent need to use a gimbal, but also I prefer a case for my iPhone. It is different on vacation, while traveling. Then such a solution makes great sense. Thanks to it, I can connect my smartphone to the OM 4 almost immediately and use its full potential.
It looks similar, but is smaller and has new possibilities
DJI OM 4 looks similar to its predecessor, the DJI Osmo Mobile 3 . Its structure is made of light gray plastic that is pleasant to the touch. The handle is darker, covered with a bit of rough rubber. The whole weighs 390 g, but after installing the magnetic mount it is 32.6 g or 11.4 g more. The dimensions of the OM 4 are 276 × 119.6 × 103.6 mm or 163 × 99.5 × 46.5 mm when folded. The gimbal is therefore a bit smaller than the Osmo Mobile 3.
The manufacturer emphasizes that a new, more powerful engine was used here, which is to stabilize the smartphone in a more efficient way. The engine allows you to connect slightly heavier smartphones. The maximum load capacity of the DJI OM 4 is 230 g ± 60 g. In the case of its predecessor it was 200 g ± 30 g. The device is compatible with phones with a thickness of 6.9-10 mm and a width of 67-84 mm. In both cases, these parameters are similar to the Osmo Mobile 3.
The folding system of the device has not changed either. You can fold the gimbal in half with one, quick move, and with the other, unscrew the folding legs. The whole thing is in an aesthetic, gray bag. The set also includes a USB-C power cable, a wrist band and a set of stickers. It all fits in a jacket or sweatshirt pocket, and certainly in a small backpack or bag. The set does not include a hard cover, but in my opinion, with such a mobile, light, travel or even holiday construction, such a small suitcase does not exist.
Operation of the DJI OM 4 is very simple and basically the same as its predecessor. On the front there is the main joystick, and next to it there are two main buttons: red as a shutter button, on / off films and the / M switch, also used to quickly change the position of the smartphone. Pressing it twice changes the orientation and puts it to sleep three times. For this we have a zoom lever on the side. After pairing the gimbal with a smartphone and the DJI Mimo app, the lever allows you to control the focal length of the camera: of course, through digital zoom between the fixed focal lengths of the built-in lenses. There is a trigger under the index finger that allows you to, for example, center the smartphone.
The DJI OM 4 has a USB-C charging socket. The device can be charged from the power bank. Zero to one hundred percent recharges in 2.5 hours. A fully charged battery lasts for about 15 hours, which is the same as the predecessor.
DJI OM 4: a handful of new and improved smart features
DJI is famous for its elaborate programs and intelligent functions, and the DJI OM 4 is a good example of this. These features are typically not done just to stuff the specs on the package. They really work and are useful.
First, you need to download the DJI Mimo application, known for example from the DJI Mavic Mini drone . After connecting to the OM 4, we get access to a mass of additional functions, as well as the ability to release the shutter or record movies with a button on the gimbal.
New features are DynamicZoom (DollyZoom) and Clone Me Panorama. Hyperlapse and Timelapse features have been improved.
The most interesting is DollyZoom, otherwise the "Hitchcock effect". This effect was reportedly first used in Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo". Later, this technique was used by Steven Spielberg in the films "ET" or "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade". He can also be seen in Michael Jackson's music video "Thriller" (when the zombies appear). It is about changing the focal length without changing the foreground, moving away from it. Here's a nice explanation for this effect:
Check DollyZoom was already available from its predecessor, but in OM 4 there was an improvement to this feature as DynamicZoom. DynamicZoom is more intelligent and uses tracking and zooming to move forward and backward automatically. The DollyZoom feature on the Osmo Mobile 3 relied on manually controlling the zoom to suit your speed of movement. Now it works much better and, above all, easier - even automatically. Of course, DynamicZoom is largely based on digital zoom, so the quality is not impressive, but the fun is fun: just right for loose coverage on Stories.
Vloggers will surely appreciate the ActiveTrack 3.0 feature, which allows for smooth and accurate tracking of a moving object in the frame. Just select an object and your device will track it. ActiveTrack 3.0 works well for recording ourselves: then we may not think too much about the frame, e.g. while walking or driving, because the smartphone and the connection to the OM 4 will keep up with our movement.
For this we have Slow-motion, Sport Mode, Story Mode, Gesture Control, but also ordinary Photo and Video, which were already in the previous version of the gimbal.
DJI OM 4 attracts you for longer
After a few days with DJI OM 4, I think that it is a well-thought-out, refined and pleasant to use gimbal for smartphones. Already the previous version was praised, but the OM 4 takes an important step forward thanks to the use of a magnetic mounting system.
Today's leading smartphones and their cameras and camcorders offer great opportunities for creation. DJI OM 4 extends them even more, even encourages creative action. DJI OM 4 is now also available for purchase in Poland for about 700 PLN.
DJI OM 4. The first stabilizer for smartphones that attracted me
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