HTC Re Camera: An always on handheld with companion apps up for pre-order for $200

HTC has taken to the stage tonight to announce some new goodies for consumers. There was some new software, a new phone and the expected Re Camera. The camera, called Re, is available for pre-order starting right now for $199.99 in two colors options, white or orange.

The Re is a funny little device with a lot of surprises. The previous leaked lifestyle images of Re were spot on. The device is a small cylindrical tube with a curved end that houses a camera lens. It fits in your hand like a set of ‘C’ batteries. The Re spec outline is pretty interesting.

• 16MP 146 degree ultra-wide angle lens (f2.8)
• Takes 1080p video (30fps FHD)
• 32GB internal storage and SD card slot
• Only offers two buttons
• Waterproof IPX7 (waterproof cap enhances to IPX8)
• 820 mAh battery
• BLE, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n with Wi-Fi direct
• Micro USB charging port

The Re only offers up two buttons. One found on the top curve where your thumb naturally goes. This button is pressed to take a photo. If you long press it it then it starts the video. To stop the video simply press it again. There is also a button under the lens. Kind of like a trigger. This will give you quick access to take 1080p slow motion video that is 4x slower than life. Hope that makes sense. You might notice I didn’t mention and power button. There isn’t one. With the use of various sensor, the Re is always on and ready to go when you are. The battery is listed as a 840 mAh and HTC offers up that it should take 1200 photo or a 1 hour 40 minute video before it needs to be charged.

The whole thing loos and sounds pretty cool really. It gets better though. One thing I said that HTC would need to do to make the Re have a better chance of being a success was for them to make it not HTC specific. As in only works with HTC devices. They did. The Re will offer a free companion app that will be available for Android and iOS devices. With the app you can sync your images to your phone or tablet, use the phone or tablet as the view finder (even from a distance) to take photos or start and stop video and you can even set it up to take time lapse photos. ie. Set the Re up facing out a window and program it to take stills at set times for you.

Jason Mackenzie, HTC President for the US, also had some future details to divulge. In coming months there will be an update to the app that will enable real-time live broadcasting from the Re to YouTube. Not to mention they are opening up the API and SDK to third party developers.

The Re camera is available to pre-der through the official www.recamera.com website for $199.99. You have the choice of white or orange right now. Best Buy will be getting the exclusive on the navy blue offering.