Lucid is about to release a stereoscopic video camera that I feel will be the breakthrough ‘VR’ has been waiting for.

The LucidCam ships in July 2017 for just $499. You get:

• 180° x 180° Field of View, 4K Images jpg, 4K-30fps/eye Videos mp4
• Single operation button with light and sound indications
• Built-in stereo audio with dual mics for stereoscopic caption
• On-board stabilization and merging
• Supports Micro SD card, micro USB connection, and mini HDMI output
• Wifi for livestream, data transfer USB 2.0
• Splash proof (IP54 certified) with accessory options of waterproof case for diving & mounts
• Apps: iOS and Android

To clarify, this is not ‘virtual reality’. It is not ‘360’. It is ‘3D 180 reality’.

The cute little camera looks like a morph of a phone and a mouse, with two big eyes on one side.

My take: the ease and simplicity of this camera will finally usher in 3D for the masses. ‘3D 180 reality’ most closely resembles how we truly see the world. I think the storytelling applications are very exciting: imagine point-of-view shots that are undeniably real!