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Use Google’s Pixel camera software on other phones

When reviews of Google’s Pixel phone came out, the camera was the highlight of the phone. In fact, it was a testament to the work Google had put in that photos from the camera were talked about in the same ballpark as the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7. Most smartphones use the same Sony image sensor, in other words, what makes one camera better than the other is the software. The Google Pixel camera app was special, and now it works on other phones.

What you get is not an official version of the app. A Ukranian developer has ported the app so that it works on other Android phones with the Snapdragon 820/821 or 835 processors. One of the staff at XDA Developers ran the app on LG G6, a OnePlus 3, a OnePlus 3T, a OnePlus 5, and a Samsung Galaxy S8 without any issue.

What makes the Pixel Camera app special is the HDR+ image processing that produces great images in even low-light conditions. The app uses the Hexagon digital signal processor to take a continuous stream of images from the time the app opens. When you take a shot, all the app does is mark the time, and use the images to build the best possible HDR image.

Please remember that the app probably includes optimizations for the specific hardware in the Pixel and will probably not produce images as good as the Pixel.

Best Practices Sound for Band Directors

Being a great band director is a lot of hard work and practice. It takes dedication to get your students to sound great, and it’s not easy getting that organization together in order to put on a show. Band is highly coordinated, and it requires extreme discipline, especially when travelling around the country. Here are some best practices to keep in mind.

Portable Equipment

You’ll be doing some travel, and your school might have assigned you a vehicle or a budget for this purpose. Make sure the equipment you have to cart around is portable, and fits neatly where it needs to go. Include at least one bag for each student in your ensemble. Portable equipment, like a Bogen amplifier, is essential when you have to travel across state lines, or even just a few miles. It also helps make unloading a breeze.

Set Goals

Set specific goals that measure up to the talent you have to deal with. Make sure that you have some challenges along the way so students stay motivated, but managing expectations and placing the right goals can be important for growth. Not everyone can compete at the top level, but but many can be pushed to persevere and do their best.

Remember the Kids

Being a band director is a rewarding job because you get to spend time doing the music you love with the kids you care about. Try and keep that in mind as you travel to various competitions, and let the stressors roll off of you.

Article submitted by CAM Electronics. CAM Electronics offers the best in quality AV systems for professional use. Contact CAM Electronics to learn more about amplifiers, and other ways to enhance your professional audio system.

A Brief Look at the History of Sputter Deposition

Sputter deposition dates all the way back to the mid 1800s.

When it comes to the history of sputter deposition, it should be noted that it dates all the way back to a century ago. The idea of thin film deposition was first conceived back in 1852 by Grove. This style of thin film production became commonly used in the 1920s when it came to the preparation of reflective coatings. Then, the major company Western Electric started utilizing sputter deposition to deposit gold on wax masters. This was only the beginning for deposition as new methods began to emerge and replace older styles of thin film production.

The Reemergence of Sputter Deposition

Sputter deposition started to fade into the distance after thermal evaporation became available. It was a new and improved type of process, at the time, and proved that it can still provide an outstanding film with the use of thermal energy. Now, this doesn’t mean that sputter deposition became completely obsolete. In the 1950s, sputter deposition began hitting the main stage yet again when Bell Laboratories developed tantalum hybrid circuit technology through the use of sputter deposition. Once again, sputter deposition proved that it was here to stay.

Today’s Outlook on Thin Film Deposition

Fast forward to today’s deposition techniques, there are a variety of different methods and tactics when it comes to the production of thin films. New vacuum coating systems have been created that provide all of the benefit that your standard system would, but within a vacuum environment, and other products have made their mark on society.

Everything you need to know about Philips Hue bulbs

The connected home space is growing faster than ever. Thanks to smartphone and broadband internet, connecting and controlling your home is much easier. One of the first connected devices that sold in significant numbers was the Philips Hue light bulb. Depending on how many lights you want to control, you might also need to invest in a Hue Bridge in addition to the bulbs.

When choosing bulbs, it is important to know how many lumens you will need for that bulb. Previously all discussion of light bulb strength was based on wattage. With the shift from incandescent to CFL and now to LED, wattage as a measurement of brightness is getting less and less relevant. The strength in lumens versus the number of watts of the bulb can vary by manufacturer. The US FTC has a chart that will give some indication of how many lumens to expect from a certain wattage.

Philips bulbs come in three types: The Hue White and Color Ambiance, Hue White Ambiance and the Hue White. The Hue White and Color Ambiance is the most popular and the one that most people know about. It is a remote controllable dimmable LED bulb that can change to any color. Perfect for movies, parties or just playing around. The Hue White Ambiance is the same as the above except that it only changes to different temperatures of white. The Hue White is simply a dimmable soft white light bulb and is also the cheapest.

The Many Methods of Optical Thin Film Deposition

to find the right technique that benefits you.

There are numerous processes when it comes to the manufacturing of optical thin films. Some of the most common methods include: thermal, ion beam evaporation, ion beam assisted deposition, and ion beam sputtering. Each method provides its advantages in the formation of optical film and each provide value and limitations.

When it comes to coating manufacturers, you’ll find that many of them use only one of the methods rather than multiple to make it appear that a single approach is more beneficial.

Ion Assisted Deposition

Ion beam deposition is a variant of the e-beam evaporation process. E-beam evaporation adds a high-energy ion beam that is directed at the coating substrate. The ions tend to act like an atomic hammer that produces a high film density – much higher than evaporation alone. Furthermore, ion beams cal also be utilized to pre-clean and etch the substrate’s surface to improve its’ overall film adhesion. The result of this high coating density is an improved mechanical durability, greater environmental stability, and a lower scatter – without the use of electron beams.

Ion Beam Sputtering

Ion beam sputtering coats are produced within a vacuum chamber. When it comes to IBS, high-energy ion beams are directed at the target – which is typically a metal or an oxide. The ions then transfer the momentum towards the substrate causing molecules to sputter off. The high-energy atoms are then deposited as coats onto the substrate. Throughout the process, oxygen is typically present at low pressure within the coating chamber to act as a reactant when creating oxides on metal targets.

Some advantages to using ion beam sputtering include: extremely uniform results, high density, excellent adhesion, and environmental stability. Furthermore, the surface roughness of the deposited layers is extremely low, which tend to yield infrared and visible levels. Deposition rates are relatively low when compared to other coating styles. But, the control and reproducibility levels are high, which makes it possible for performance targets to be hit with a greater precision than most evaporation techniques. This is beneficial for the user, because of the production of steep edge filers and multi-wavelength mirrors. Additionally, this process can occur through full automation, meaning that it does not require the supervision of an operator. One of the biggest drawbacks to IBS however, is that it only works with a limited range of materials  – typically metal oxides.
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