microsoft

http://hdview.spaces.live.com/blog/

Matt from Microsoft Research who demoed HDView at the IVRPA conference writes in his blog that the
Microsoft Research Stitcher will be available FREELY and SOON -- two words I like to hear.

http://ivrpa.org/node/1366

When Bill Gates, co-founder of a mom & pop operation named Microsoft was at the World's Greatest
University last week, I couldn't resist making some photos and a quick panorama of the World's
Richest Man.

I shot several frames with a Canon5d and 15mm fisheye to make the 360; the images were shot handheld (no monopod or tripod)
and I quickly stitched the images.

Of course, the stitching could be much better, but I don't have the energy or that skill set :-)
(Can someone help me here?)

I hope to post a better version of the pano next week.

Microsoft's amazing Photosynth technology was on exhibit at Siggraph 2006.
The previous evening I had downloaded the video from Microsoft Live Labs, and
watched it over and over to figure out what it was, and more importantly,
what its implications for photography. (Of course, I still don't know what it means, but
I am not alone on this...) Check out the discussion on Slashdot, if you have time.

One of the people at the booth suggested
that a technical beta would be available in the spring. I ran into Blaise Agüera y Arcas
at the booth, here's a pix of him. I recognized him from the Live Labs video.