Nokia unveils Ozo: Virtual reality camera for content creators

Nokia Corp. on Wednesday introduced its first virtual reality project, which is not a headset. Instead of targeting consumers with its VR hardware, Nokia targets content creators with its Ozo, a special camera with eight sensors developed specifically to create virtual reality movies.

The Nokia Ozo is a spherical device that features eight synchronized global shutter sensors and eight integrated microphones. The camera can capture stereoscopic 3D video, but actual resolutions it supports are currently unknown. Nokia claims that its Ozo is the first in a planned portfolio of digital media solutions from Nokia Technologies, which means that other similar products will follow.

Nokia this week introduced its Ozo to representatives from major studios, production houses and media and technology companies. The company intends to work closely with such partners to refine its Ozo and tailor it for the needs of professionals.

Content filmed using Nokia Ozo can be published for commercially available VR viewing hardware such as head mounted displays (HMDs). Nokia plans to release special software with Ozo, which will enable real-time 3D viewing, with a playback solution that removes the need to pre-assemble a panoramic image. Ozo will also be compatible with existing professional production tools.

“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.”

Actual price, technical specifications and other details regarding Nokia Ozo will be released at a later date.

The Nokia Ozo will be made in Finland by Nokia itself, which means that volumes will not be very high. The company plans to start shipments of the camera with eight sensors in the fourth quarter of 2015.

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KitGuru Says: Nokia’s Ozo camera looks considerably better than solutions for virtual reality filming introduced to date. But will it be good enough for Hollywood studios? After all, Nokia is new to content creation business and VR content business is still at an early stage of development…

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