AppleInsider Staff
Apple has expanded the selection of mobile photography accessories in its retail outlets with the Nova, a wireless, off-camera flash that can be used to enhance low-light shooting and synchronizes with iOS devices using Bluetooth technology.
Nova — Â which began life on Kickstarter — Â is a wallet-sized flash unit with an array of 40 LED units behind a diffuser. Users can customize the color of the flash, from "cool to warm and soft to bright natural light," or choose from one of four presets.
The flash can be triggered up to 20 feet away from its connected iOS device, and its built-in battery can be recharged using USB. Nova's manufacturer says that the device is designed to be thin enough to fit comfortably into most wallets.
The companion NovaCamera app serves as the control point for the flash and functions as a full-featured camera app. Users also gain control over the focus and exposure of each shot, along with a "full editing suite."
The Nova Bluetooth Flash for iPhone is available from Apple's online store for $59.95 and will make its way into select North American brick-and-mortar outlets later this month.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
9 Comments
How interesting. Hopefully they'll get lots of competition in this space. Such a product would be a nice accessory at $20-$30. Also, I'd like to see dozens of iterations on this idea, especially something like Joby Gorillapod functionality so the flash could be placed or attached anywhere.
If it really makes night pictures so awesome, such LED array should be just built into a back panel as a standard feature.
@jason98: Flash strength is only part of the problem. Flash position is the other. Flash works best when it is offset from the subject, rather than being directed directly on the subject. Having the flash as a separate unit allows for it be directed as needed. Also, the battery requirements for a flash unit are generally a consideration.
It's funny how they make the standard iPhone photo look like crap if you are not using their product.
It's funny how they make the standard iPhone photo look like crap if you are not using their product.
That's because the iphone flash DOES look terrible. In fact, so does this flash. LED based "flash" is still so far behind Xenon flash.