Photography

meMINI lets you capture the action after it happens

meMINI lets you capture the action after it happens
The meMINI records video in a continuous loop
The meMINI records video in a continuous loop
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The meMINI records video in a continuous loop
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The meMINI records video in a continuous loop
It attaches to clothing using a magnetic clamp
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It attaches to clothing using a magnetic clamp
That app lets users see what the camera is seeing on their mobile device screen
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That app lets users see what the camera is seeing on their mobile device screen
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They say that nothing takes you out of a fun situation quite like filming it – you stop being a participant, and start being an observer. That said, people still like their home videos. Small wearable camcorders are one solution to the problem, although users are left with a ton of raw footage to sift through. The meMINI offers an alternative. It "rewrites" a continuous loop of video, but will save the previous few minutes of footage whenever the user presses its one button.

The looping feature employed by the meMINI is the same as that used by some actioncams.

Ordinarily, it continuously records one several-minute stretch of footage after another, each one replacing the one that was recorded before it. If something noteworthy happens, however, the user instructs it to save that one stretch of footage, which it does. As a result, instead of having to subsequently shuttle through hours of mostly-unremarkable video, the user is just left with the good stuff ... and a little bit of filler to edit out.

That app lets users see what the camera is seeing on their mobile device screen
That app lets users see what the camera is seeing on their mobile device screen

The meMINI's loop lengths can be set from five seconds up to five minutes on an accompanying app, via Bluetooth. That app also lets users see what the camera is seeing on their mobile device screen, plus it allows them to share videos online. Those videos are stored in the cloud, although there's also a limited amount of onboard memory for times when the internet can't be accessed.

The camera itself records at a maximum resolution of 1080p/30fps, has a built-in mic and image stabilization, and a 140-degree field of view. One charge of its 1800-mAh battery should be good for three hours of use. It attaches to clothing (assuming that's what you want to do with it) using a magnetic clamp.

meMINI's New Zealand-based creators are currently raising production funds on Kickstarter, and have surpassed their funding goal. A pledge of US$169 will get you one, when and if they're good to go.

More information is available in the pitch video below.

Sources: meMINI, Kickstarter

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6 comments
6 comments
Gadgeteer
I like the idea, but there are two drawbacks. One is the three-hour battery life. Any device designed for this purpose has to be able to cover all waking hours. Or at least have a quickly replaceable battery pack, so a user can swap in a fresh pack while charging the depleted one. The other is the requirement for the cloud. Why not just provide an SD card slot so the user can choose to add a lot of storage if they want? I know they want to keep it simple, but I do not trust anything truly important to the cloud, and I certainly don't want to take the risk of having a useless device if the cloud service folds and you can't upload anymore.
DaveWesely
I think they are missing an important target market. Security. Accident documentation. For instance, autos should have devices like this, so that when the other guy runs the red light and causes an accident, push the save button and everything that happened up to and after the accident is recorded. Or, a policeman pulls you over and behaves inappropriately or illegally? Push the button. Then you have control of the incriminating evidence, not the authorities. Or tie it into your home alarm system to record (and possibly transmit to you) questionable activity in your home.
These types of consumer goods could take away a lot of the surveillance state issues by putting the control of the data in the hands of individuals, not institutions and help clamp down on tough to prosecute crimes like domestic abuse.
Mrk
Its so good to see a resurgence of the great kiwi ingenuity, and an upgrade to the 'old bit of No.8 wire'.
The Skud
I agree with the previous comments. It needs much longer battery life - perhaps linked to a waistbelt pack? Definitely needs an SD slot, or perhaps the battery pack could be combined with a small 'hard drive' equivalent? Now if this could be manufactured to "Glass" size, it would really be a winner.
pwndecaf
How is this different from the abundance of car-cams for sale? Even the cheapest of them do this, others add GPS info, also cheaply. This is not a new idea.
Michael Crumpton
Why isn't this just an app for your phone?