With every new phone announcement I’ve seen over the past couple of years, I’ve always thought that until we see holographic capabilities, it’s really just updated versions of the same old thing. Neither, Apple, Google nor Amazon have answered the call, so leave it to the innovators at RED to raise the bar and bring Star Wars type technologies into the present day.
Today RED announced their first foray into not only mobile phones but holographic cameras, the HYDROGEN ONE. The Android device boasts holographic capture and no-glasses playback which will come in two models, titanium and aluminum for $1595 and $1195. RED is taking preorders today with an estimated delivery January 2018. As an incentive for preordering, RED insinuates on their website that the price may go up at the time of availability.
According to RED, The HYDROGEN ONE is the foundation of a future multi-dimensional media system. The HYDROGEN SYSTEM incorporates a new high-speed data bus to enable a comprehensive and ever-expanding modular component system, which will include future attachments for shooting higher quality motion and still images as well as HYDROGEN format holographic images.
Additionally, the HYDROGEN ONE will not only be the control center for the HYDROGEN system, it will also integrate into the professional RED camera program, working together with Scarlet, EPIC and Weapon as a user interface and monitor.
No other pictures, video or demos of the Hydrogen’s capabilities are available at the time of this story.
Jim Jannard on the HYDROGEN ONE
Beyond the PDF on the RED website, there were some additional comments from Jim Jannard about the device.
So… very interesting day to say the least. I love some of the reactions.
In no particular order, let me take a few swings here.
The Holographic Display.
It is incredible. It is multi-view (4-view) as compared to stereo 3D (2-view). Watching shocked faces light up when people see it is really motivating. There is no good way to describe it until you see it. Hopefully we will get some skeptics eyes on it soon… then they can tell you.
Our display is technology you haven’t seen before. It is not lenticular, which is inferior tech in every way, has been tried many times before and failed for good reason. (see Amazon 3D Fire, LG Optimus, etc). Lenticular display dramatically lowers resolution, cannot be turned off for standard 2D content, only works in one direction (usually landscape), has color crosstalk… to name just a few issues. My bet is that other “big” companies will try to re-package lenticular 3D displays with eye-tracking in response to our program. Don’t fall for it.
Why did some Redusers blindly order HYDROGEN today without even reading the release? This seems incredible to those unfamiliar with the RED program. Over the past 10 years RED has gone from scam (announcing the impossible) to delivering the impossible… over and over. Our core customers have seen and participated in this process and have stories to tell. Apparently we have earned their “blind trust” because we have not let them down. We understand that those unfamiliar with our history will certainly not get this.
Some additional details. One website said it was unclear whether HYDROGEN came with a battery. Let me assure you that it does. 🙂
It also comes with internal storage and an external micro SD card slot. And a headphone jack. A selfie camera and a back camera. These cameras will not produce cinema quality images. No cell phone does. What we will have is a modular system that adds image quality well beyond any other camera short of our professional cameras. Remember that we have a lot of elbow room on this front. Our Weapon Helium sensor scored 108 on DXOMark.com That beat the Sony A7RII by 10 full points.
https://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/RED-…me-high-score2
So why do we feel we can make a difference in the cell phone market? Because we are doing everything different and (we feel) better. That is the only way to enter a market. That was the thinking behind Oakley. It was the thinking when we released the RED ONE. Same formula. Make something significantly better and you have a reason to be.
We look forward to releasing many more details and specs about the project as time goes along. Anytime you don’t like what you see, full refund for any reason spoken here. However… be prepared to be surprised on the upside. It only gets better the more information you have.
Today we saw the full range from “complete trust” to “hard skepticism”. I have seen this before… many times actually. Makes me smile.
Jim
Here’s more from RED
The HYDROGEN ONE is a standalone, full-featured, unlocked multi-band smartphone operating on Android OS that just happens to add a few additional features that shatter the mold of conventional thinking. GLASSES OBSOLETE Wearable displays not spoken here. It is no longer necessary to carry (or charge) another device to enjoy multi-dimensional content. Experience “look around depth” in the palm of your hand, no glasses or headsets in sight. People can check out the toughest tech and gear on the market if they are looking for the best smart phone guide.
5.7″ PROFESSIONAL HYDROGEN HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY
This incredible retina-riveting display advancement features nanotechnology that seamlessly switches between traditional 2D content, holographic multi-view content, 3D content, and interactive games. Both landscape and portrait modes supported.
• View all traditional 2D content normally at full-screen resolution • View holographic RED Hydrogen 4-View content (H4V)
• View stereo 3D content • View 2D/3D VR, AR and MR
• View holographic RED Hydrogen 4-View content (H4V) • View stereo 3D content • View 2D/3D VR, AR and MR
• View stereo 3D content • View 2D/3D VR, AR and MRASSAULT YOUR SENSES
Embedded in the OS is a proprietary H30 algorithm that converts stereo sound into expansive multi-dimensional audio. Think 5.1 on your headphones. The perfect match for holographic H4V or just listening to your favorite tunes. The difference this makes would be enough to justify the entire system.
IVlODULARITY
HYDROGEN ONE is the foundation of a future multi-dimensional media system. The HYDROGEN SYSTEM incorporates a new high-speed data bus to enable a comprehensive and ever-expanding modular component system, which will include future attachments for shooting higher quality motion and still images as well as HYDROGEN format holographic images.
COMMAND CENTRAL
The HYDROGEN ONE will not only be the control center for the HYDROGEN system, it will also integrate into the professional RED camera program, working together with Scarlet, EPIC and Weapon as a user interface and monitor.
RED CHANNEL
One channel to find all 4-View holographic content. Create .h4v (or convert 3D to .h4v) content and upload. Download or stream to view. Movies, documentaries, games, shopping and other apps all found with one click.
PRICE
$1195 Aluminum. $1595 Titanium.
Orders placed today will ship from my own personal first production batch. I can also assure you that after this initial release we will NOT be able to fill all orders on time due to display production limitations. We will NOT guarantee these prices at the time of release. Taxes and shipping not included in the price.WHAT DO YOU GET?
The HYDROGEN ONE Media Machine with a USB-C cable and charger, an expandable Micro SD card slot plus a “special small token” for ordering early. All other accessories available at launch will be available at an additional price. Additional modules will NOT be immediately available at the time of this first production launch.
WHEN DO YOU GET IT?
The HYDROGEN ONE is targeted to ship 01 2018.
Orders placed today will ship from my own personal first production batch. I can also assure you that after this initial release we will NOT be able to fill all orders on time due to display production limitations. We will NOT guarantee these prices at the time of release. Taxes and shipping not included in the price.
Design shown may change. This offer will be available for a limited time. Specs and delivery dates can change anytime and for any reason. Payments are fully refundable for any reason prior to shipping.
For more information, go to the RED website at www.red.com/hydrogen
