It's been almost a decade since Ricoh introduced one of the first 360-degree cameras, and now it's made a new Theta model that brings a few useful, if not entirely unique, features.
The Theta X is a built around two 48MP sensors and twin lenses that can together capture 60MP spherical photos or 5.7K/30p video. But the usability upgrades from other Theta cameras, like the flagship Theta Z1, include a handy 2.25-inch touchscreen, interchangeable batteries and expandable memory.
While we've seen large touchscreens on 360 cameras before, like the Kandao QooCam 8K , this is the first time one has been included on a Ricoh Theta camera. It's a big usability perk because it lets you preview scenes and view 360-degree photos on the camera, rather than relying on a companion app on your smartphone.
Other bonuses on the Theta X include a comparatively premium magnesium alloy body, the ability to power the camera from external batteries via its USB-C port while recording, and built-in GPS for geotagging your creations. Because the camera is built on Android OS, it's also open to third-party plug-ins from creators, to expand its functionality.
This customizability has been one of the main appeals of Ricoh Theta cameras, as the plug-ins let you tailor the camera according your specific workflow. For example, you can add wireless livestreaming without the need for a PC, or get the camera to automatically blur faces that are in shot.
These kinds of features, and the Ricoh Theta X's price tag, mean it's aiming the camera more at commercial users than your average content creator or traveller, but it certainly looks like a versatile all-rounder. You'll be able to buy it from March for $799 / £899 (around AU$1,700).
Analysis: a new age for 360 cameras?
The question that usually arises when a new 360 camera launches is 'who is it for'? While rivals from Insta360 are clearly aimed at content creators, it seems the Ricoh Theta X is looking for a home in businesses.
Ricoh says the pandemic has created a greater need for immersive images and virtual tours, so it's made the Theta X for shooting 360-degree photos and video in areas like real estate, construction and the automotive industries.
This explains why the Theta X goes so big on flexibility, with the removable batteries and microSD slot helping it keep going all day in when it's on work duty. Ricoh also says the camera's real-time processing will help reduce editing times, which can be lengthy for 360-degree video footage.
When the original Theta first launched in 2013 it was mainly aimed at artists and creators, but 360 cameras back then struggled with limited editing techniques, and a lack of platforms on which to view your creations.
In the past few years, though, their appeal has been the ability to direct where the camera 'looks' in a traditional video using post-processing, long after you've got home. This is the strength of Insta360's cameras, and while the Ricoh Theta X seems to instead be targeting the alternative need for businesses to create virtual tours in socially-distanced world, both are compelling use cases that could finally see 360-degree cameras find their niche in 2022.
Umbrella Academy season 3 powers up its cast with Euphoria star's addition
The Umbrella Academy season 3 is set to introduce another new face after a Euphoria star confirmed that they'd been cast in the Netflix show.
Javon Walton, who portrays Ashtray in season 2 of HBO's hit drama series, has revealed that he has joined The Umbrella Academy season 3 's cast.
Speaking to Complex at his upcoming projects, Walton confirmed that he'll be part of the Netflix series ' latest entry, but the teenage actor stopped short of divulging who he'll play.
"Euphoria has led me to other big opportunities, which I’ve been super thankful for," Walton said. "I have some other projects coming up soon and I’m super excited about that. I’m on Umbrella Academy for their new season, Season 3."
At the time of writing, Netflix is yet to officially confirm who the Euphoria star – who's also starred in The Addams Family and Utopia – will portray in The Umbrella Academy season 3. We've reached out to the streaming giant for comment and we'll update this article if we receive a response.
If Walton is part of the season 3 cast, he'll join a number of news faces including Suits' Jake Epstein, She-Ra's Genesis Rodriguez and American Horror Story's Britne Oldford when the show returns to our screens.
The Umbrella Academy's third season doesn't have a concrete release date yet, but we know that it'll land on Netflix sometime in 2022. In the meantime, check out what the season 3 episodic titles could teas e about next season's plot, and why it could also be the saddest entry in the series yet.
Analysis: who will Walton play in The Umbrella Academy season 3?
There's one particular season 3 character who hasn't been cast yet – and we're pretty confident that this is who Walton will be playing.
As Umbrella Academy fans – or 'brellies' – will remember, the season 2 finale introduced us to The Sparrow Academy. This is an alternate reality version of The Umbrella Academy, which is also comprised of seven superpowered individuals.
So far, we know which actors are portraying six of those characters. Justin Cornwell (Training Day) will play Marcus and Cazzie David (Eighty-Sixed) is Jayme. Oldford, Rodriguez and Epstein have been cast as Fei, Sloane and Alphonso, too.
Finally, Justin H. Min – who played Ben Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy's first two seasons – is also portraying a different universe's version of Ben. This reality's Ben is second in command to Marcus and, unlike The Umbrella Academy's incarnation, he's a jerk.
Who, then, is the seventh Sparrow Academy member? That would be Christopher, an existential dread-inducing psykronium cube that can levitate.
It's unclear if Christopher can speak but, if he can talk, we think that Javon Walton will voice the character. We aren't sure how old Christopher is supposed to be, either. But, if he's the youngest member of the superhero group, Walton would fit the bill as a teen actor.
Sure, Walton could portray someone else in season 3. He could, for example, play a younger version of one of The Sparrow Academy members in some flashback scenes. We've speculated – in our Umbrella Academy season 3 hub – that the show may feature flashbacks to the childhood of The Sparrow Academy's Ben. Ethan Hwang, who portrayed a younger version of The Umbrella Academy's Ben in seasons 1 and 2, is rumored to be back for season 3. So maybe we'll see Ben and Walton's character – a younger Alphonso, perhaps? – interact at some point.
Right now, though, Christopher is the only main character who hasn't been cast. Taking Walton's comments into consideration, and putting two and two together, Walton's hiring to voice Christopher is the most logical fit in our minds. And we're sticking with that theory until we're told otherwise.
How to watch Single Drunk Female online from anywhere
Jail time starts looking appealing real fast after 20-something alcoholic Sam is forced to sober up under her mom's roof, as a result of a minor indiscretion involving a co-worker's eye and a telephone receiver. Tormented by triggers that would drive anyone to the bottle, it's an extended hangover from hell, and you can follow our guide as we explain how to watch Single Drunk Female online and stream the new dramedy from anywhere in the world.
Unfamiliar with the feeling of being held accountable for her actions - which include driving under the influence or as Sam calls it, "being awesome" - the funny side begins to lose its lustre as one by one, her chickens come home to roost.
She's stuck in a dead-end job in her home town, her former best friend and ex-boyfriend are getting hitched... Oh, and did we mention her mom has started dating too?
Unfortunately for Sam, her recovery means that romance is off the cards until she's a year and a day sober, but with a whole lot of guidance from her sponsor, she's got plenty of other messes to sort out first. Starting with her bedding.
Read on as we explain how to watch Single Drunk Female online and stream the new comedy show where you are.
How to watch Single Drunk Female from outside your country
For those of you abroad when Single Drunk Female lands, you’ll be unable to watch the new comedy series due to annoying regional restrictions.
Fortunately, there is a solution in the form of a VPN . This nifty bit of software changes your IP address so that you can access all the content you normally would at home, only from anywhere in the world.
Use a VPN to watch Single Drunk Female online from anywhere
How to watch Single Drunk Female online: stream the new show in the US
How to watch Single Drunk Female in Australia
Can you watch Single Drunk Female elsewhere in the world?
At the time of writing, Single Drunk Female is only nailed-on for release in the US and Australia, with no word yet on plans for the UK or Canada.
However, we're hoping that we'll know more towards the end of its run in the US.
