Attempts to provide alternative to dedicated sports cameras

Accessory maker Mophie has launched the OutRide, a new camera case for the iPhone 4 and 4S. The gear creates a polycarbonate housing for an iPhone with a 170-degree wide-angle lens, effectively turning an iPhone into a first-person sports camera similar to a GoPro. An included waterproof add-on lets users submerse an iPhone as far as 5 meters.

Mophie has also produced a matching app designed to upload recorded photos and video to an online sports community; video clips are also linked to a person's YouTube account. The app lets users browse by sport and location, like and comment on submissions, and create custom automatic playlists. It also supports sharing via email, SMS, and other social networks, and can upload in the background while another app is active. Video can be shot at 60fps 720p or 30fps 1080p; the latter requires an iPhone 4S.

Mophie is selling the OutRide for $150. Through most vendors only a black version is available, but Apple is carrying a white case with a silver bezel.

by MacNN Staff