Smart Cameras to Help You Capture Better Photos

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Materials Daily News

Intermediate

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

develop

Verb

dɪˈvɛləp

to create or produce a new idea, product, etc.

Our company is developing new medical software.

I'm leading a team to develop new software.

There is an exciting new project to develop parks and trails along the entire waterfront.

We are developing software for the Internet.

Scientists have developed a new test for cancer.

giant

Noun

ˈdʒaɪənt

a very large and successful company or organization

Tech giants such as Google and Facebook have expressed interest in the new technology.

recognize

Verb

ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz

to know who or what someone or something is

He passed his friend on the street without recognizing her.

Nobody recognized him as a hero.

capture

Verb

ˈkæptʃər

to record something in a film or photograph

They say we should capture every moment of our lives.

capability

Noun

ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtiː

the skill, power, or ability to do something; the extent of the ability of a person or thing

Managing the office is beyond her capability.

I don't think he has the capability of handling so much work.

North Korea doesn't have the technological capability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Our company's production capabilities greatly increased in the last year.

comparable

Adjective

ˈkɑːmpərəbəl

I don't think you'll find a comparable offer elsewhere.

Our prices are comparable with market standards.

Exercise 2

Article

AI Generated Audio––:–– / ––:––

Smart Cameras to Help You Capture Better Photos

Smart cameras are getting smarter all the time.

Some are now built with machine learning tools to help them think for themselves.

This technology helps cameras operate on their own by reacting to people and objects in a particular environment.

One of the latest to launch is Google Clips. It is the first camera developed by the web search giant that is not built into a phone.

Google Clips is very small, weighing just 60 grams. The device is designed to be put somewhere in a room to take pictures by itself. It can also be attached to an object or a person’s clothing.

Google says machine learning helps the camera choose the best times and situations for taking pictures and video clips. It can also recognize the faces of people or pets chosen by the user and take pictures of them in a more natural way.

GoPro is another company developing machine learning technology. The company’s Hero5 and Hero6 models are designed to be easily taken anywhere and can automatically capture photos and videos. The Hero5 Session camera can be controlled by voice to allow for total hands-free usage.

Messaging app Snapchat sells a pair of sunglasses with a built-in camera that can record short video clips with the push of a button. Snap Inc. says the product, called Spectacles, is designed to “capture the moment, without taking you out of it.”

Both GoPro and Snap Inc. plan to keep developing machine learning technology. But so far, neither has released products with smart-capture capabilities comparable to Google Clips.

Exercise 3

Questions

How much does the Google Clips camera weigh?

How is machine learning technology used in Google Clips camera?

How can the Hero5 Session camera be controlled?

What kind of camera does Snapchat sell?

Exercise 4

Discussion

What are your thoughts on the recent developments in smart camera technology?

Would you purchase any of the cameras mentioned in the article? If so, which one and why? If not, why not?

Does the idea of a camera that takes pictures "in a more natural way" sound appealing to you? Why? Why not?

In what situations do you imagine a camera that can be controlled by voice would come in handy? Please explain your answer.

Do you predict that Spectacles will be popular when they hit the market? Why? Why not?

Exercise 5

Further Discussion

Do you take a lot of photographs? If so, what do you usually take photographs of? If not, why not?

Do you often take photos on your phone? Why? Why not?

When was the last time you had a roll of film developed?

Do you own an expensive camera? If so, why did you purchase this camera? If not, would you like to? Why? Why not?

In what ways would you say trying to capture the moment takes one out of it? Please explain your answer.

Exercises for Further Self-Study

These self-study exercises are optional and should be carried out after the lesson has finished.

Exercise 6

Sentence Building

Write at least one sentence for each of the words in Exercise 1: Vocabulary. Begin by making sure you understand the definition of each word. Use the example sentences as a guide if you are unable to think of a sentence. Practice reading your sentences out loud.

Exercise 7

Summary

Make a brief summary of the article. Focus on the main topic and consider which pieces of information are most important. Make sure you include details such as what the article is about, who is mentioned in it, where and when the events took place, and also how and why they happened.

Parts of this lesson are based on:

An article by Voice of America.